AN E-PORTFOLIO: A PROMISING TOOL FOR PROMOTING LEARNERS’ AUTONOMOUS LEARNING COMPETENCIES IN AN EFL SPEAKING COURSE
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Abstract
This study aims to explore autonomous learning competencies perceived by twenty EFL learners who took part in an English speaking course in which an e-portfolio was utilized as a learning tool in a Ho Chi Minh City-based language center. The exploratory sequential mixed-methods research employed semi-structured interviews and a closed-ended questionnaire for data collection, i.e., the qualitative data from the semi-structured interviews were initially gathered, and the quantitative data were then collected to confirm the qualitative results. The findings indicated the participants’ positive perceptions of autonomy-related competencies in an e-portfolio-based speaking course, consisting of accountability closely related to sense of responsibility, self-regulation referring to an ability to monitor their learning process, and self-assessment involving the process of discovering their identity and reflecting on their academic performance. The paper also highlights some pedagogical implications in a bid to enhance the effectiveness of English language teaching and learning in terms of the e-portfolio application.
Article Details
Keywords
autonomous learning competencies, e-portfolio, English speaking skills
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