The effect of the European Language Portfolio on learner autonomy for young learners

This study was conducted in a private school and the researcher worked with the sixthgrade students. First of all, the researcher investigated the effect of traditional assessmenttools, tests, on learner autonomy were investigated and she found out tests were not sufficientin improving students? becoming autonomous. Later, the researcher investigated the effect ofthe European Language Portfolio (ELP), which the Council of Europe put forward as analternative language learning and assessment tool, on learner autonomy. During the study,constructivism was taken as theoretical framework and the ELP was used as themethodological framework of the study. According to the aim of the study, the program thatthe participants would cover during the study was firstly determined and the ELP was used inEnglish and German lesson without disrupting the program. Throughout the study, thestudents? use of the ELP in the lessons, their attitudes towards the method, their participationto the lessons were observed and their portfolios were used as data collection tool. In addition,at the end of the study the researcher interviewed with the students so as to understand if therewas any change in their becoming autonomous or not. According to the analysis of the data, itwas found out that the ELP was effective in helping students to become autonomous.Key words: Portfolio, The European Language Portfolio, Autonomy, Constructivism