Ashley Bartholomy

Fostering Language Learner Autonomy: Focusing on studies of first-year university students in Japan from the past five years, Ashley’s presentation will explore the nuanced landscape of autonomy and related terminology, and ways to foster autonomous learning in the classroom. Her research draws insights from her master’s dissertation, “Examining Teaching Approaches for Fostering Language Learner Autonomy in Japan: A Qualitative Research Synthesis”.

This presentation will discuss the current discourse of language learner autonomy in a Japanese context, based on recent research and an analysis of student surveys about their learning. The presentation will also touch on the benefits of Qualitative Research Synthesis (QRS) in the field of TESOL. In practice, approaches to fostering autonomy that teachers can use in their classrooms will be considered, including reflection, goal setting, or ways to enable students to make choices about their learning. One of the aims of fostering learner autonomy is to encourage learner motivation, and the presentation hopes to inspire attendees with ways and means to help the development of their own students’ self-motivation.

Biodata: Ashley Bartholomy is an Assistant Professor at Aichi University. She holds a B.A. in English, and a B.Ed. in Secondary Education from the University of Toledo. She also holds an M.A. in TESOL from the University of Birmingham. She is currently the JALT Toyohashi Chapter Vice President and Membership Chair.