AUTONOMY IN LANGUAGE LEARNING: AN INICIAL REVIEW

Abstract

This work highlights autonomy as a necessity in a globalized society, which demands the ability to learn, adapt, and make informed decisions. This work addresses the relevance and complexity of autonomy in the teaching and learning of foreign languages ​​in contemporary society, marked by globalization and technological evolution, tracing the origins of studies on autonomy in language teaching from the 1970s onward, driven by the emergence of the communicative approach. With the aim of reviewing the literature, the work focuses on the contributions of prominent researchers such as Phil Benson (1997, 2007), Vera Lúcia Menezes de Oliveira Paiva, and Junia de Carvalho Fidelis Braga (2006, 2008). In conclusion, the study reinforces that autonomy involves psychological, behavioral, and social issues. Rigorous research on the topic is crucial to investigate the manifestation of this complexity in different contexts and to determine the most effective pedagogical strategies. Understanding autonomy as a complex system is fundamental to developing more competent, critical, and independent learners, which is essential for linguistic and personal development throughout life.