Exploring the Implications of Autonomy for Flipped Classrooms in Saudi EFL Classroom

Abstract

Learner autonomy has become an essential skill in education in general and in the field of English language teaching in particular. Although its significance is widely acknowledged in the literature, there has always been a debate about the promotion of such a concept in the Saudi HE context. The origins of this problem can be traced back to a number of reasons, most notably: the teacher-centered classroom, traditional teaching methods and the teachers’ failure to engage learners in meaningful learning activities in EFL classrooms. In addition, teachers’ lack of awareness of the importance of autonomy as a skill that keeps pace with developments in the world, is evident in the literature as well. The Saudi Vision 2030 aspires to produce independent and competent individuals, and the vision has set some new policies that support the autonomy of learners in higher education. Hence, this study aims to discover the implications of autonomy in a flipped classroom learning in the Saudi EFL context, gain insights into students’ perspectives, explore teachers’ expectations of students, and investigate the students’ readiness for autonomous learning in a flipped classroom. This qualitative research utilized semi-structured interviews as a data collection tool and thematic analysis technique for analyzing the interview data. Building on the analysis, the research found that flipped classrooms allow students to work autonomously; Based on teachers’ perception and the support they give students as well as students ability and their positive expectations to working more autonomously. However, some students do not fulfil their duties while attempting the assigned task which affects their learning outcomes. Future research should focus on how to encourage learner autonomy by introducing them to roles that help support their autonomy in learning, especially with regard to awareness of the effects of autonomy on an individual’s personality and its impact on building a society in which competent individuals are able to plan and work independently. Specifically, teachers should spread awareness of the importance of learner autonomy through the application of learner-centered strategies such as a flipped classroom.