Barbora Chovancova

The Teacher's Role in Developing Learner Autonomy Barbora Chovancova

As the title suggests, it is the teacher who is in the spotlight of this volume on learner autonomy. The issues addressed herein include the specific and ever-changing role of teachers within the context of autonomous learning; an impassioned promotion of professionalism, creativity, reflection, and ability to tune into the minds of students; the effectivity of teaching in general; and, last but not least, the teacher's own autonomy. In autonomous learning, learners become "researchers of their own learning". Likewise, teachers should become "researchers of their own teaching" and, as this book attests, they indeed do. When the focus of their explorations is learner autonomy, the results can include theoretically grounded research papers with practical applications, action research and exploratory practice, and good practice papers which emphasize how learner autonomy is being promoted. This book is not only written by teachers but also addressed directly to them. Teachers at all levels, in different teaching contexts, and of various languages can benefit from the ideas and adapt them to fit their unique teaching situation and benefit their own students.