Portfolio Training for Autonomous Language Learning The Case of FirstYear English Students at AbdelhamidIbnBadis University of Mostaganem

Abstract

Developing students’ autonomy is crucial in foreign language learning and teaching. But, the question to be addressed is how to provide quality learning that supports promoting such process. An experiment was conducted on a sample of first year students at the department of English of AbdelhamidIbnBadis University (Mostaganem). The objective is to explore whether and to what extent their autonomy might get enhanced after using their portfolios in the Written Expression course. The research findings reveal that the students’ motivation, feeling of responsibility and creativity got enhanced, besides their development of some self-assessment attitudes.Yet, such training period was not sufficient to help them develop a degree of autonomy that enables them to act independently beyond teacher’s instruction.