ELEMENTARY EFL TEACHERS’ KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES IN FOSTERING LEARNER AUTONOMY

Suci Fadilla, Fazri Nur Yusuf, Yanty Wirza


Abstract


Learner autonomy is essential in young learners’ language development, yet its implementation remains limited at the elementary level, particularly in contexts rooted in teacher-centered traditions. This study examined the understanding of elementary EFL teachers and the strategies they use to foster learner autonomy in EYL classrooms in Indonesia, employing a sequential mixed-methods design. The study commenced with a survey of 34 teachers, followed by semi-structured interviews with four selected teachers. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze survey data, while thematic analysis was applied to interview transcripts. The findings revealed that most teachers have a positive understanding of learner autonomy, with a particular emphasis on their role as facilitators and motivators. Teachers applied various strategies to foster autonomy, such as providing choice in learning activities and giving positive feedback. However, this positive orientation was contrasted by the presence of teacher skepticism regarding young learners’ readiness for autonomy. These findings suggest that while the conceptual understanding of learner autonomy is present, its implementation still requires targeted professional development focusing on age-appropriate pedagogical scaffolding and practical tools to move teachers beyond conceptual understanding to consistent autonomous practice.

Full Text:

PDF

References


Abdulah, A. (2017). Pembelajaran berbasis ujian nasional dan dampaknya terhadap otonomi siswa. Jurnal Pendidikan Indonesia, 6(2), 45–58.

Ahmed, M. K., & Hossain, K. I. H. (2024). Nurturing learner autonomy to enhance motivation and academic achievement for the L2 learners in ESL contexts. IUBAT Review, 7(2), 176–196.

Benson, P. (2011). Teaching and researching autonomy in language learning (2nd ed.). Harlow, UK: Pearson Education.

Bhattarai, P. (2021). English language teachers’ perceptions and practices on learner autonomy in Nepalese context. Journal of Research and Innovation in Language, 3(1), 17–25.

Borg, S. (2003). Teacher cognition in language teaching: A review of research on what language teachers think, know, believe, and do. Language Teaching, 36(2), 81–109. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0261444803001903

Borg, S., & Al-Busaidi, S. (2012). Learner autonomy: English language teachers’ beliefs and practices. London: British Council.

Borg, S., & Alshumaimeri, Y. (2019). Language learner autonomy in a tertiary context: Teachers’ beliefs and practices. Language Teaching Research, 23(1), 9–38. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362168817725759

Dam, L. (1994). Learner autonomy 3: From theory to classroom practice. Dublin: Authentik.

Dam, L. (1995). Learner autonomy 4: Teacher development. Dublin: Authentik.

Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (1985). Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behavior. New York, NY: Plenum.

Firmansyah, D., & Jiwandono, A. (2022). Tradisi pengajaran sentral-guru dalam pendidikan dasar di Indonesia. Jurnal Pendidikan Dasar, 13(1), 22–35.

Holec, H. (1981). Autonomy and foreign language learning. Oxford: Pergamon Press.

Intraboonsom, C., Darasawang, P., & Reinders, H. (2020). Teacher’s practices in fostering learner autonomy in a Thai university context. Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 11(2), 194–203. https://doi.org/10.17507/jltr.1102.07

Işık, T., & Balçikanli, E. (2020). EFL teachers’ autonomy supportive practices for out-of-class language learning. IAFOR Journal of Education: Studies in Education, 8(2), 89–104.

Ismail, F., Yunus, M. M., & Zahidi, A. M. (2020). Promotion of learner autonomy: Beliefs and practices from the ESL teachers’ perspectives. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 9(2), 112–125. https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarped/v9-i2/7304

Jiang, J., Vauras, M., Volet, S., Salo, A. E., & Kajamies, A. (2019). Autonomy-supportive and controlling teaching in the classroom: A video-based case study. Education Sciences, 9(3), 229. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci9030229

Kementerian Pendidikan Dasar dan Menengah. (2025, 17 Oktober). Perkuat kompetensi global, bahasa inggris akan wajib pada sekolah dasar mulai TA 2027/2028 [Siaran pers]. Kemendikdasmen. https://kemendikdasmen.go.id/siaran-pers/13897-perkuat-kompetensi-global-bahasa-inggris-akan-wajib-pada-sekolah-dasar-mulai-ta-20272028

Lengkanawati, N. S. (2017). Learner autonomy in the Indonesian EFL settings. Indonesian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 6(2), 222–231. https://doi.org/10.17509/ijal.v6i2.4847

Little, D. (1991). Learner autonomy 1: Definitions, issues and problems. Dublin: Authentik.

Little, D., Dam, L., & Legenhausen, L. (2017). Language learner autonomy: Theory, practice and research. Bristol: Multilingual Matters.

Mansooji, H., Ghaleshahzari, A., & Javid, M. (2022). EFL learner autonomy: Iranian university instructors’ beliefs vs. actual practices. MEXTESOL Journal, 46(1), 1–16.

Maulana, A., & Singh, S. (2023). Fostering learner autonomy in English as foreign language classroom: Indonesian context. Malaysian Journal of ELT Research, 77–95.

Mujahida, H. N., & Rus'an, A. (2019). Pelatihan guru dan tantangan implementasi otonomi pembelajar di sekolah dasar. Jurnal Pengembangan Profesi Guru, 2(2), 112–125.

Nur Yusof, S. (2021). Teachers’ beliefs of learner autonomy in secondary schools. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 11(2), 134–148. https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarbss/v11-i2/9196

Piaget, J. (1970). Science of education and the psychology of the child. New York, NY: Orion Press.

Pinter, A. (2011). Children learning second languages. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

Ramadhani, R. (2017). Dampak ujian standar terhadap praktik pembelajaran bahasa Inggris di SD. Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa dan Sastra, 17(2), 189–201.

Ramadhiyah, S., & Lengkanawati, N. S. (2019). Exploring EFL learner autonomy in the 2013 curriculum implementation. Indonesian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 9(1), 231–240. https://doi.org/10.17509/ijal.v9i1.15626

Reinders, H., & White, C. (2011). Learner autonomy and new learning environments. Language Learning and Technology, 15(3), 1–3.

Saraswati, S., Dasar Bosowa, S., Insani, B., & Bogor, K. (2019). EFL teachers’ beliefs and practices on learner autonomy. Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa, 13(1), 45–59.

Seddiq, H. R. S. (2019). Saudi elementary EFL teachers’ beliefs about young language learner autonomy: Possibilities, challenges, and practices (Unpublished master’s thesis). King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Suharto, P. P., Damayanti, I. L., & Lengkanawati, N. S. (2025). Exploring metacognitive strategies to support young learners in developing their learner autonomy. International Journal of Language Education, 9(2), 331–355.

Van Tuyen, L., & Thi An, H. (2019). Learner autonomy: Practices used and challenges encountered by EFL teachers in fostering learner autonomy at tertiary level. VNU Journal of Foreign Studies, 35(4), 130–152.

Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

Wood, D., Bruner, J. S., & Ross, G. (1976). The role of tutoring in problem solving. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 17(2), 89–100.

Ya-Hui Chang, L. (2020). Taiwanese EFL language teachers’ beliefs and actual practices related to learner autonomy. TESL-EJ, 23(4), 1–16.

Yeh, Y. L., & Lan, Y. J. (2018). Fostering student autonomy in English learning through creations in a 3D virtual world. Educational Technology Research and Development, 66(3), 693–708. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-017-9566-6

Yusof, S. N. (2021). Teachers’ beliefs of learner autonomy in secondary schools. International

Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 11(2), 134–148. https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarbss/v11-i2/9196

Yuzulia, I., & Yusuf, F. N. (2019). EFL teachers’ perspectives on learner autonomy. Perspective: Jurnal Pendidikan, Bahasa, dan Sastra, 7(1), 51–64.




DOI: https://doi.org/10.30743/ll.v1i1.12269

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.