Non-majored English Students’ Learning Autonomy through Extensive Listening at a Public University

Abstract

Enhancing English language proficiency, especially in listening skills, is crucial for students completing General English Courses at universities in Vietnam these days. Unfortunately, non-majored English students are often overlooked in assessments of this vital skill in their final exams, resulting in a lack of autonomy in their language learning, particularly in listening. This research explored students' perspectives on fostering autonomy through extensive listening activities, conducting a qualitative case study with 10 non-majored English students. Interviews revealed that extensive listening motivated students’ learning and improved their listening skills. However, despite these benefits, the findings highlighted a need for educators to play a more active role in designing and delivering comprehensive guidance in extensive listening strategies. This study contributed valuable insights to the ongoing discourse on optimizing learning autonomy in English language education.