ABSTRACT

Autonomous learning is a modern learning style compared with traditional reception learning. Taking students as the subject of study, autonomous learning achieves learning objectives through analyzing, exploring, questioning, and creating. The cultivation of learner autonomy is not only the needs of developing students’ study skills, but also the needs of social development. Learner autonomy plays an important role in language learning. There are many problems existing in non-English majors’ English autonomous learning, such as students’ learning belief is not firm, students’ learning strategies are poor and universities’ teaching materials and methods are out of date, etc. In order to cultivate non-English majors’ English autonomous learning, this paper gives the following six suggestions: stimulating students’ motivation; applying new teaching methods; creating better autonomous learning environment; cultivating students’ awareness of autonomous learning; reforming the examination and evaluation system; and teaching proper learning methods to students.

Key words：non-English majors; learner autonomy; English learning; countermeasures

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABSTRACT

摘要

Chapter One INTRODUCTION-1

Chapter Two LITERATURE REVIEW-2

Chapter Three PRESENT SITUATION OF COLLEGE ENGLISH LEARNING AND TEACHING-4

3.1 Present Situation of Non-English Majors’ English Learning-4

3.1.1 Learning Beliefs-4

3.1.2 Learning Strategies-5

3.2 Present Situation of College English Teaching-5

3.2.1 Teaching Materials-5

3.2.2 Traditional Teaching Methods-6

Chapter Four LEARNER AUTONOMY OF NON-ENGLISH MAJOR STUDENTS AND ITS IMPORTANCE-7

4.1 Learner Autonomy of Non-English Majors-7

4.1.1 Definition of Learner Autonomy-7

4.1.2 Characteristics of an Autonomous Learner-8

4.2 Importance of Learner Autonomy-9

4.2.1 Needs of Social Development-9

4.2.2 Needs of Students’ Individual Development-9

4.2.3 Requirements of Improving Learning Efficiency-10

Chapter Five PROBLEMS EXISTING IN NON-ENGLISH MAJORS' ENGLISH AUTONOMOUS LEARNING AND ITS COUNTERMEASURES-11

5.1 Problems Existing in Non-English Majors’ English Autonomous Learning-11

5.1.1 Lack of Interest and Motivation-11

5.1.2 Rigid Traditional Teaching Method-11

5.1.3 False Learning Habits of Students-12

5.2 Approaches to Cultivating Non-English Majors’ English Autonomous Learning-12

5.2.1 Stimulating Students’ Motivation-12

5.2.2 Applying New Teaching Methods-13

5.2.3 Creating Better Autonomous Learning Environment-13

5.2.4 Cultivating Students’ Awareness of Autonomous Learning-13

5.2.5 Reforming the Examination and Evaluation System-14

5.2.6 Teaching Proper Learning Methods to Students-14

Chapter Six CONCLUSION-15

WORKS CITED-16