Reforming the Foreign Language Classroom: Empowering Learners to Take Ownership
Edited by Katja Heim, Leni Dam, Annika Albrecht, and Carmen Becker
(Autonomous Language Learning Series)

Picture
How can language teachers create classrooms where students truly take ownership of their learning? Reforming the Foreign Language Classroom: Empowering Learners to Take Ownership explores this question through powerful examples of theory-informed practice and classroom innovation. Inspired by the pioneering work of Leni Dam and her collaborators, the book calls for a fundamental rethinking of language education, one that supports learner autonomy, inclusion, and intrinsic motivation. Drawing on international research and real-world classroom stories, it demonstrates that reform is not only necessary but already happening across diverse contexts.

This volume brings together leading voices in language education to examine what it takes to empower learners and teachers alike. The chapters address autonomy from multiple perspectives: understanding the learner’s agency, supporting teachers in fostering autonomy, and showcasing practical, autonomy-supportive classroom models. Whether you are a teacher, researcher, or policymaker, this book provides both inspiration and concrete guidance for transforming the foreign language classroom into a space where every learner can grow with confidence, creativity, and purpose.

Contents

Preliminaries
  • Preface
  • Introduction

Part I: Starting from the Learner
  • Chapter 1. Developing Language Learner Autonomy: From Identity and Dialogue to Empowerment and Proficiency. David Little
  • Chapter 2. Agency in the EFL Classroom: The Motivational Role of Extracurricular Skills. Annika Albrecht & Carmen Becker

Part II: Developing Learner Autonomy – The Teacher’s Responsibility
  • Chapter 3. An INSET Model for Innovation: Combining Montessori Principles and Language Learner Autonomy. Birgitta Berger & Leni Dam
  • Chapter 4. Issues in Inclusive Education and Some Answers from Autonomous Language Learning. Lienhard Legenhausen
  • Chapter 5. An Inclusive Spirit in School-Based English Language Teaching: the Role of Supporting Learners’ Growth and Autonomy. Katja Heim
  • Chapter 6. (Dis-)Empowering Learners in Inclusive ELT: Critical L2 Classroom Discourse Competence and Implications for Teaching Practice. Peter Schildhauer

Part III: Empowering Learners – Examples of Classroom Practice
  • Chapter 7. First Steps to Getting Learners Actively Involved in Vocational English Classrooms. Beatrice Spindler & Natasha Janzen Ulbricht
  • Chapter 8. Agile Methodologies for Fostering Self-Directed Learning and Learner Autonomy in the EFL Classroom. Michael Rogge

Part IV: Achieving Reform
  • Chapter 9. Answers from Interviews with Leni Dam. Edited by Katja Heim, Leni Dam, Annika Albrecht & Carmen Becker

  • References
  • About the Editors
  • PDF and ePub bundle: PayHip
  • Other ebook options: Amazon Kindle | Apple | Barnes & Noble | Google Play | Rakuten Kobo | More...
  • Print: Amazon
  • Library and subscriptions: Everand | Perlego | Proquest

Publication details

Publication date: December, 2025