SLA RESEARCH ON SELF-DIRECTION: THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL ISSUES

ready to leam. The external factors are the characteristics of the context (sociocultural
factors) that influence the internal factors. On the other side, the internal factor of orientation
is the actual focusing of attention according to the learner decision of her goals. The external
factor is the help that the counsellor provides for her to carry out the focusing process.

predisposition

........►

socio-
cultural
factors

focus-
oriented

help

motivation,
attitudes,
beliefs, etc.

goal-driven
focusing

........►

LEARNING LEARNING

TOLEARN

facilitation

Fig. 4.2 Alertness and orientation elements in self-direction

As can be seen in Fig. 4.2, alertness and orientation may have a two-way interaction.
This means that if something changes one of the elements, the other one varies as well. Any
positive change in motivation, for instance, could potentially improve the learner's capacity
to focus her attention in order to notice in a better way. In the same way, if her strategies to
focus are not working properly, she may change her belief about the "good language learner"
she is. In regard to external aspects, the characteristics of the contextual factors that make
the learner ready can be influenced by her relationship with the counsellor. For example, she
does not believe that the SAC is the best place to Ieam a language because her interaction

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