Plenary Sessions
1st Plenary: “Getting our heads round Learner Autonomy”
Ben Knight, Director of ELT Research and Teacher Development - Cambridge University Press
The first plenary session will begin by clarifying what is meant by Learner Autonomy and why it is important for teachers to develop. How Learner Autonomy can be understood within the context of other transferable core skills like collaboration, communication, critical thinking, etc. – as set out in the Cambridge Life competences Framework, will be looked at. This will include an exploration of how these competences include a combination of knowledge, skills and attitude. Leaner Autonomy will be broken down into is key components – particularly: a) learning skills and strategies, b) taking control of own learning, and c) reflecting on and evaluating learning.
2nd Plenary: “Getting our students into Learner Autonomy”
Ben Knight, Director of ELT Research and Teacher Development - Cambridge University Press
The focus of the second talk will be on what this means for teachers. Ways of developing each of the components of Learner Autonomy will be looked at. How can your students’ use of learning strategies be developed by you? What can you as teachers do to encourage your students to take control of their learning? And how can you help them reflect constructively on how they are learning, and make their own decisions on what they need to work on next? A number of useful activities will be suggested and there will be an opportunity to share ideas.