Similarities and differences between female and male learners: Inside and outside class autonomous language learning activities

Abstract

The present study attempted to unravel whether female and male learners differed in terms of autonomous language learning activities they adopted both inside and outside the class. In order to determine the similarities and differences between the genders, a Likert-type questionnaire consisting of twenty-one items was administered to 80 seventh grade primary school learners. The end-of-the year achievement grades of the female and male learners were also analyzed to shed light on the questionnaire results. Additionally, an interview was held with the English teacher of the learners in order to obtain insights regarding the learners' autonomous behaviors. The analysis of the relevant data yielded somewhat similar results for both female and male learners. (C) 2010 Published by Elsevier Ltd.