Learners’ Perceptions of Self-directed Learning Using Self-reading and a Reading Journal in College General English Classes

Abstract

his study aims to examine learners’ perceptions of self-directed learning for self-reading and reading journal writing in college general English classes. 105 first-year students from the Design College and Art College freely selected and read their texts according to their major and interests over the course of 12 weeks, and participated in the survey in the 15th week. The results showed that 76.93% of the students recognized that self-reading helped them learn English greatly or at least to some extent. The biggest difficulty in self-reading was that it was hard for students to interpret English by themselves. 77% answered that writing a reading journal was helpful in learning English, and students had the most difficulty writing English on their own. Such activities were found to be the most helpful in improving students' reading ability. 85% preferred self-directed learning consisting of self-reading and reading journal writing, and the main reason stated was that they were able to freely choose what they wanted to read, thus making the reading more interesting for them. Such a class might increase students' motivation and confidence by encouraging their active and interested participation in the class and further it can serve as the basis for students to continue independent and self-directed English learning after class. In the educational situation where learner-centered instruction is emphasized, this study suggests that self-directed learning for self-reading and reading journal writing can be combined properly with the conventional method using textbooks depending on learners’ proficiency levels in college general English classes.