Model of Development of Independent Study Skills during English Classes at Upper-Secondary School

In today’s rapidly changing society need for the skills of independent learning is obvious. The implementation of the model of independent English learning skills is possible in a student-centered study process when teachers and students are aware of the process of knowledge construction and students are responsible for their learning. Access to IT plays an important role. Research carried out in upper-secondary schools shows that students are more willing to take responsibility than teachers are ready to give an opportunity to students to study independently. Moreover, teachers have not thought about integrating acquisition of independent learning skills in their lessons. Students can improve their independent learning skills if teachers apply a systemic approach in the development of students’ independent study skills. They should be acquired during classes at school but they are to be developed by students in outside class activities. If the student gets into routine of connecting the study process in class with his/her activities outside class, he/she gets used to independent studies. (Bluma,2006;145). In order to apply a systemic approach in helping students acquire independent study skills, a model of development of independent English study skills has been created based on the results of the action research carried out by the author. The initial stage starts with self-assessment, then students set their goals, choose the most appropriate learning strategies and evaluate their success. The teacher acts like a mentor and facilitator giving advice and helping in linking the learning process at school with learning activities outside class. The research shows that students with developed independent learning skills have higher proficiency in English. D.Little states that when the focus of learning is a foreign language, autonomous learners within the limits of their abilities become confident communicators (2000;43