Opinions of EFL students regarding autonomous learning in language teaching

The purpose of this study is to reveal the opinions of the Sivas Cumhuriyet University students, majoring at English Language Teaching Department in the 2017-2018 academic year, about the autonomous learning process to acquire English speaking proficiency. This study, which aims to reveal the sources that affect the students' autonomous learning activities and speaking skills in English language learning, has been conducted with qualitative study methods and is in descriptive survey model. Interviewing method was chosen as the data collection tool of the study. A semi-structured interview form was prepared and conducted in order to reveal the students' opinions about the language learning process, the activities they do individually in order to improve their English speaking proficiency, the sources affecting their speaking skills, and their recommendations for students who want to improve their speaking skills. Qualitative data were analyzed by descriptive analysis, and the data obtained according to the framework formed were interpreted and supported by direct quotations when necessary. Studies on the effects of autonomous learning activities on development of English speaking competence report that auto autonomous learning activities are: making foreign friends, watching foreign movies and listening to foreign music, playing video games, attending drama courses and situations emerging out of individual and environmental circumstances.