Innovation in Language Learning

The change from teacher-centered to student-centered learning- and teaching approaches that has been going on for decades has also enhanced the importance of personalized learning and -teaching (P-learning). P-learning refers to the effort to facilitate tailor-made teaching and cater to the individual needs of each student. ICT is an integral part of P-learning as it enables students to access and use relevant teaching materials independent of time and place while it enables their teachers to monitor and feedback at their convenience. This paper provides an overview of how ICT supports students as well as English teachers at the University of Applied Sciences Burgenland (UASB) in their P-learning approach.
At the UASB in Eisenstadt, a special method of language learning and -teaching, Self-Directed Learning (SDL), has been used and refined in the English classes of the business related Master study programs for some years. SDL offers the students, who are at a B2 to C1 level according to the European Frame of Reference, an approach to language learning that supports complete learner autonomy. It provides the opportunity to define individual learning goals and choose individual learning tools each semester. Students independently work on their SDL-project in their self-study time and achieve their set goals to a great extent by using online materials and specific online language- learning tools and/or apps. The main advantage of this method is that it inspires learners to reflect upon what aspects of language they personally need to improve, which of those are actually relevant to them, what kind of tasks they enjoy and how those might support their individual learning process. ICT is of the utmost importance in this SDL-process as it not only allows students to use online and digital materials around the clock, but it also facilitates a constant exchange between students and teachers. Self-Directed Learning, together with personalized feedback for the learners, is used to ensure that through partial degrees of freedom regarding place, time and content of the course, students can work on individual learning goals and, consequently, remain highly motivated.

Keywords: P-learning, Self Directed Learning, ICT, learner autonomy, E-learning, student motivation;