In this session, we will discuss the importance of supporting learner agency in today’s classroom and explore the role of the teacher in nurturing independent learners with a lifelong investment in learning. I will explain how you can adapt your approach and practice to help your learners develop their agency, giving them a sense of control and ownership over their learning. We will also discuss the role of the school community in promoting learner agency, and weigh the impact of school leaders, policymakers, and other stakeholders. Teaching and learning are affected by the beliefs, attitudes, and contexts that surround them, and all these factors have an impact on learner agency.
Diane-Larsen Freeman is Professor Emerita of Education and Linguistics, Research Scientist Emerita, and former Director of the English Language Institute at the University of Michigan. She is also Professor Emerita at the SIT Graduate Institute in...