Preparing Independent Learners: The Role of Self- Assessment

Abstract

What is the value of self-assessment in language learning? And, how do you get language learners to evaluate and monitor their own work? What is the role of the student? The teacher? What teaching approaches facilitate engagement of learners in the self-assessment process? Research on how people learn indicates that those who are actively engaged in strategy use and in monitoring what and how they learn are more likely to be successful language learners than those who do not. This article reports on what research tells us about self-assessment and draws implications for engaging language learners in the selfassessment process.