Factors Affecting College Students' Autonomous English Learning Ability and Strategies for Improvement

Abstract

Autonomous learning is one of the advocated learning methods in a learning-oriented society and is also a requirement for reform in college English teaching. A semester-long investigation was conducted on non-English major college students' autonomous English learning, involving a series of studies with a questionnaire survey of 120 second-year non-English major students at a certain university. The results indicate that the current level of autonomous English learning ability among college students is still relatively low. Moreover, individual English proficiency, the class environment, and the amount of time spent on English learning outside of class significantly affect this ability. Therefore, universities should strengthen the reform of college English teaching, promote a shift in teachers' teaching concepts, and focus on enhancing students' self-efficacy. Additionally, improving students' motivation levels and appropriately extending the time for completing assignments outside of class are necessary to enhance college students' autonomous learning ability.