Seven ways to develop independent learners

Richard Cleeve
A woman sat outdoors reading a booklet

What is independent learning?

Students who are actively involved in deciding what and how they learn are typically more engaged and motivated.

That’s not surprising, because independent learners are extremely focused on their personal learning objectives.

, independent learning is “a process, a method and a philosophy of education whereby a learner acquires knowledge by his or her own efforts and develops the ability for inquiry and critical evaluation."

Seven ways to develop independent learners
Play
Privacy and cookies

By watching, you agree ɫèAV can share your viewership data for marketing and analytics for one year, revocable by deleting your cookies.

In the context of language learning, independent learners can recognize their learning needs, locate relevant information about language and develop the required language skills on their own or with other learners.

There are many advantages of encouraging independent learning among your students:

  • Increased recognition of strengths, weaknesses and progress
  • Higher levels of confidence
  • More motivation
  • Better management of learning
  • Improved performance

Not only will these benefits help your students while learning English, but they’ll also benefit them at school, university and even in their day-to-day lives.

How can I help my students to become independent learners?

Some of your students may already be independent learners; however, most will need your support to become more autonomous.

Here are seven ways you can help:

Make learning goals clear

Sharing learning goals with your class helps students to see what they’re aiming for and they’ll also be able to assess afterwards whether they’ve achieved it or not. This can be done at the beginning of a lesson or series of lessons or even as a lesson progresses.

Although many teachers set the goals themselves, if you want to create a really independent learning experience, elicit them directly from the students. A simple question could be, “What do you think this activity is helping you get better at?”

Personalize learning goals

Another thing to consider is setting different goals for different learners, depending on their strengths and weaknesses. This will be much easier if the students are setting their own goals. For example, when doing a task focused on the speaking paper in an exam course, one student’s objective might be to give extended answers, while another might want to use more discourse markers.

Focus on the process as well as the goal

Once your students have set their goals, they need to start thinking about how they’ll reach them.

One way to help them get on track is to provide them with a set of ‘success criteria’, which acts like a roadmap for the different tasks they need to complete. If your students understand what they need to do to be successful, they’ll progress much faster and be more motivated when they see how far they’ve come.

If one of your student’s goals is to improve their grammatical accuracy in the C1 Advanced speaking exam, for example, you could give them a rubric (like the one below) which they can use to assess their own performance.

Keep your assessment categories as positive as possible (for example, 'solid', 'good' and 'acing it') and link it to the official exam criteria where possible.

Provide opportunities to reflect on learning

Students should constantly be encouraged to reflect on their performance and whether they’ve met their learning goals. This will help them become more aware of their strengths, weaknesses and the progress they’re making. Recognition of progress will help build confidence and motivation.

Opportunities for assessment and reflection don’t need to take a lot of time. Spending two minutes at the end of the class asking students questions like ‘What can you do better now than at the start of the lesson?’ will help learners develop critical meta-cognitive skills.

Offer feedback on learning

Teacher feedback also helps students develop the skills needed to become more independent. Offer feedback in a supportive and sensitive manner, making positive observations alongside any criticism.

Effective feedback should allow learners to understand where they currently are in their learning, where they’re heading and how they’ll get there.

Encourage peer feedback

Feedback shouldn’t only come from the teacher. You should also get students to evaluate each other’s progress during and after an activity. Peer feedback is not only advantageous to the student receiving it, but there are also many reflective benefits of giving feedback to someone else.

Transfer learning decisions to students

It’s impossible for students to become independent learners if you make all the decisions for them. Giving students the opportunity to make decisions about their learning will give them greater autonomy. However, this should be a gradual process and not all students will be ready to take 100% control from the outset.

Start with small decisions first and ask questions such as:

  • Do you want to do the task alone or in pairs?
  • Would you like to use a set of useful phrases for support when doing the speaking task?
  • Would you prefer to discuss questions about this topic or another?

This devolvement of responsibility built up over time will help learners to become more independent.

Explore our educator resources

  • three university students sat outside in a courtyard looking at a laptop together

    The benefits of using the Score Report Website for PTE Academic and ɫèAV English Express Test

    By Abi Fordham
    Reading time: 2 minutes

    US institutions are always on the lookout for ways to enhance their admissions processes. One effective strategy is leveraging the Score Report Website for both PTE Academic and ɫèAV English Express Test. This platform offers numerous benefits that can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of admissions teams.

    Simplified score access and verification

    The Score Report Website provides a centralized platform where admissions teams can easily access and verify test scores. This eliminates the need for paper-based score reports and reduces the risk of errors associated with manual data entry. By using this digital platform, institutions can quickly retrieve accurate and up-to-date test taker scores for both PTE Academic and ɫèAV English Express Test, ensuring a smooth and reliable admissions process.

    Enhanced security and accuracy

    One of the key advantages of the Score Report Website is its robust security features. The platform uses secure login protocols to protect sensitive student data.

    ɫèAV’s score report website also ensures that scores cannot be tampered with, as they are sent directly through the system. This means the score that an institution sees, is the score that was awarded to a test taker. This level of security and accuracy builds trust with both students and institutions, making the admissions process more reliable.

    Faster decision-making

    The Score Report Website offers real-time access to test scores, allowing admissions teams to make quicker decisions. This is particularly beneficial during peak admissions periods when timely decisions are crucial. The platform's ability to provide instant access to scores means that institutions can respond promptly to applicants, enhancing the overall student experience.

    Cost-effective and environmentally friendly

    By embracing a digital score reporting system, institutions can reduce the costs associated with printing and mailing paper-based score reports. This not only saves money but also supports sustainability efforts by reducing paper waste. The Score Report Website aligns with the growing trend of digital transformation in higher education, promoting a more eco-friendly approach to admissions.

    Improved communication with applicants

    ɫèAV's Score Report Website allows institutions to share scores with multiple departments and stakeholders seamlessly. This facilitates better communication and collaboration within the admissions team.

    Trust ɫèAV with your applicants

    Using the Score Report Website to accept PTE Academic and ɫèAV English Express Test applicants is a strategic move that positions your institution as a forward-thinking leader in higher education, committed to efficiency and security.

  • Students sat in a university library talking

    Why your US university needs PTE Academic and ɫèAV English Express Test

    By Abi Fordham
    Reading time: 2 minutes

    Higher education is competitive and universities need to attract top talent from around the globe. One way to do this is by offering a range of secure, accurate and trusted proficiency tests. Adding the ɫèAV English Express Test alongside PTE Academic can be a game-changer for both students and admissions teams.

    Meeting diverse student needs

    The ɫèAV English Express Test is a convenient option for students facing time, location, or financial constraints. Unlike traditional tests, it can be taken online, allowing students to complete it from their own homes. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for students in remote areas, who are not close to a test centre.

    Complementing PTE Academic

    While PTE Academic is a truly comprehensive assessment, the ɫèAV English Express Test offers a quicker, at-home option for prospective students.

    Enhancing the admissions process

    For admissions teams, the ɫèAV English Express Test can enhance efficiency and effectiveness. By offering a convenient testing option, universities can attract a broader pool of applicants. The quick turnaround times for results also mean faster decision-making, reducing the waiting period for students.

    Boosting business outcomes

    From a business perspective, integrating the ɫèAV English Express Test can help to increase enrolment numbers and revenue. The enhanced efficiency in the admissions process, through the use of ɫèAV’s trusted Score Reporting Website, can reduce administrative costs and free up resources for other strategic initiatives.

    Additionally, offering flexible testing options can enhance the university's appeal, making it more attractive to prospective students and their families.

    What does this mean for you as an institution?

    Adding the ɫèAV English Express Test alongside PTE Academic is a strategic move that benefits both students and universities. It addresses diverse student needs, complements existing testing options, enhances the admissions process, and boosts business outcomes.

    By embracing this approach, universities can attract top talent and position themselves as leaders in higher education in the US.

More Blogs from ɫèAV