Learner Autonomy and Motivation -A Literature Review

Abstract

A general argument in rationalization for autonomy in language learning is that autonomous learners are strongly motivated and that autonomy leads to better, more successful work. Autonomy is defined as the ability to take control of one’s own learning but it is possible only with an active process of assistance and support to help learners expand and systematize the capacities that they already possess in them. The study on motivation in connection to language learning over the past few decades has been dominated by psychological approach to motivation of Gardner and Lambert, which gives small aid in attempts to relate autonomy and motivation. To discover such associations it is necessary to turn to the literature on motivation in language learning. This paper will review the literature on motivation and suggest that there is a significant relationship between autonomy and some educational theories of motivation.

Keywords: Autonomy, Motivation, Psychological approach