This document discusses learner autonomy in language learning. It defines learner autonomy as students taking responsibility for their own learning by setting goals, developing study plans, reflecting on progress, and assessing their own learning. Promoting learner autonomy in the classroom involves gradually shifting responsibility from the teacher to the students, giving projects for independent work, and emphasizing peer learning and use of self-assessment tools. The importance of learner autonomy includes developing lifelong self-directed learning skills and socially responsible language use.

1. LEARNER AUTONOMY IN A NUTSHELL Cem BALÇIKANLI Gazi University, Faculty of Education, English Language Teaching Department E-mail: [email_address] The 11 th International INGED ELT Conference 6-8 September 2007 Ankara, TURKEY

4. If democratic states are to develop and flourish as democracies, t hey must undertake ed ucational measures calculated to develop t he c apacity of their citizens to think and act as free and self - determining individuals (Holec,1981) .

8. A dults do not know how to diagnose their own needs for l earning , formulate their own learning objectives , identify learning resources and planning strategies for taking the initiative in using those resources , assess their own learning and have their assessments validated. Knowles (1981),