Promoting Autonomy in L2 Pronunciation Learning

What is autonomy and why is it important to second-language pronunciation learning? How can teachers support greater autonomy for their learners? In this talk, Dr. Shannon McCrocklin leads a discussion encouraging participants to refine their definitions of autonomy, especially in relationship to second-language pronunciation learning. After establishing benefits of learner autonomy, she then introduces the tensions between critical approaches to autonomy and gradualist approaches, working to resolve these tensions with concrete steps teachers can use to support greater learner autonomy for their students.

Presenter

Shannon McCrocklin is an associate professor of TESOL and Applied Linguistics in the School of Languages and Linguistics at Southern Illinois University. Her research focuses on ways of improving second language pronunciation learning and teaching, often incorporating and carefully evaluating technology as part of her teaching.