Learning Sequences for Independent Study: The Example of Academic Structure

Researchers point to the value of students taking more control of their progress in the English language at university through an independent study approach (Bhowmik & Kim, 2018; Wen-Cheng et al., 2019). This can allow them to meet their own specific language and skill needs with resources that more closely match their level of proficiency. English language centres in Hong Kong and elsewhere have invested time and money into creating various programs, materials and other resources to offer students options in independently boosting their academic and workplace English communication skills. Such resources include online activities that students can complete on their own to receive a score and possibly other feedback. However, many of those activities represent isolated practice, usually featuring a brief explanation of a language or skill focus, followed by questions that often rely on a multiple-choice framework. This type of activity has the advantage of being quick, but could lead to only superficial learning. Instead, this presentation argues for the creation of learning sequences, a linked series of videos, slides and a variety of interactive exercises that take students through a progression of deeper understanding of the language or skill focus, with possible branches to allow for different student levels and prior knowledge. An example of a learning sequence for academic sentence structure will be used to illustrate the potential this approach has for improving the independent study experience of students of English keen to improve their communication skills.