Dil portfolyosunun ilkokul 3. sınıf öğrencilerinin öz değerlendirme ve öğrenme özerkliğine etkisi

The aim of this study is to investigate whether keeping a language portfolio contributes to young learners' ability to self-assess and to their process of autonomous learning. The study was conducted over a 16-week-period during the 2015-2016 spring term at a primary state school. 58 young learners from two 3rd grades participated in the study. The researcher was the teacher of two 3rd year classes and through convenience sampling, these two classes were chosen; and between these two classes, control and experimental groups were randomly assigned. Action research as an approach of qualitative research is chosen as a study type in the research design. The data were collected through the learners' language portfolios, teacher-researcher's field notes, learner interviews and learner-teacher discussions regarding their portfolios and assessment. The experimental group had portfolio intervention for 16 weeks. Learners in the experimental group did their routine studies and worked on their portfolio materials during these weeks. At the end of every unit learners self-assessed their learning process through 'can-do' statements and a learning contract. The control group only had their learning contracts and self-assessment process after their routine studies. Some of the learners in the experimental group started checking their portfolio works to see their improvement; to plan their learning through reflection on their own and on their peers' work; to set goals for their future learning topics; and to evaluate their learning progress through self-assessment statements. The data show that portfolio had a positive effect on learners. Learners became more aware of their learning process and slowly started learning how to control this process. Learners became planners to overcome their weaknesses. It can be concluded that language portfolio helped promote greater autonomy. The findings shed light both on positive outcomes and on possible problems. This study discusses the implications of the study for classroom practice and provides suggestions for further research. Key words: Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), Language Portfolio (LP), Young Learners, Self-assessment, Autonomy, Goal Setting, Reflection.