LC-1113 / LCA-1015 Autonomous Language Learning Path,

(o + w, 3 ects), Spring 2024, periods III-IV

Level of the course: Bachelor’s
Workload: 81h of coursework, Course grade: PASS/FAIL

Teacher: Jenni Korvala
email: jenni.korvala@aalto.fi


All of the following requirements must be met in order to gain PASS:

• attendance in 2X2h opening groups sessions, 12.01 and 19.01 in Zoom, 10.15-11.45 (attendance is compulsory)

• attendance in three individual meetings with the teacher in Zoom beginning, mid-semester and end (max. 15-20 minutes):

week 3: getting started meeting (22.01.-26.01.)

week 9: mid-point meeting (04.03.-08.03.)

week 14: final meeting (08.04.-12.04.)

You can sign up for a suitable time slot through schedulers in MyCourses, attendance is compulsory.

  • creating a personalized study plan and following it (including production of oral + written assignment related to your field of study)
  • reflection assignments (learning journals)
  • logging in the hours (approximately 81 hours of work) of studies completed in MyCourses
  • creating a portfolio to be presented at the end of the  course (in MyCourses)
  • participating in group activities as agreed in the personalised study plan


Learning outcomes:
The main goal of this course is that students will find their own way to learn, study and use English both in
meaningful personal contexts as well as in academic / working life situations. Students will develop their
English skills towards autonomous and spontaneous language use. Furthermore, the goal is that students
manage their own learning process by doing the following:

  • Analysing their own identity as an English learner and their learning needs
  • Setting personalised learning goals
  • Choosing their approach to learning
  • Making a concrete learning plan and carrying it out
  • Reflecting on their learning process and results
  • Gathering all of the above into a comprehensive, electronic portfolio.

Content: The students will devise a personalised learning plan together with the teacher, in which they consider their own special needs and ways to learn a foreign language. The small group meetings and individual consultations with the teacher will deal with several topics, such as

  • Language learner history and its effects on one’s English learner identity
  • Ways of reflecting on one's own learning, such as a learning diary
  • Realistic methods for self-evaluation
  • Using and developing English together with other students
  • Skills for learning and studying English, depending on the particular needs of the students: listening, reading, speaking, writing.
  • Working Life Skills: Skills in a foreign language, Written & Oral communication, Self-awareness, Lifelong learning skills, Self-
    confidence, Time management, and Team work skills
Assessment methods and criteria:
CEFR-level: B2 or higher, Grading scale:  pass or fail
Language of instruction: English

Last modified: Thursday, 11 January 2024, 1:58 PM