In an educational context, the term 'learner independence' has gained increasing importance in recent years. It is of particular (9)________ to language learning and commonly refers to the way students confidently control and organise their own language learning process. While (10)________ people seem to have an almost instinctive flaw for languages, others have to rely on strategies to maximise their skills and learn a foreign language more effectively.
The main thing to remember is that becoming a truly independent learner ultimately depends above all on taking responsibility for your own learning and being prepared to take every opportunity available to you to learn. You also increase your chances of (11)________ by learning according to your own needs and interests, using all available resources. Research shows that learners (12)______ adopt this approach will undoubtedly manage to broaden their language abilities considerably and, (13)_______, are more likely to achieve their objectives in the longer term.
(Adapted from Complete Advanced by Laura Mathews and Barbara Thoma)