Abstract:
With more foreign exchanges and faster economic development, China is in great need of the talents proficient in English. However, the traditional college English education can no longer meet the needs of our society. Since the 1990s, web-based education has drawn more attention of the ESL/EFL researchers. Web-based autonomous English learning is a process in which learners independently determine their learning goals, use appropriate learning methods and assess their learning process by making full use of the web. Compared with the traditional mode, web-based English learning has many advantages, such as rich learning resources and materials, no limits in time and space, and fostering students’ interests. But there are still some problems in applying the new mode, like students’ inadequate autonomy, teachers’ insufficient understanding and abilities, and the deficiency of facilities. To develop students’ autonomy in web-based college English learning, first, students should strengthen their responsibility by having strong determination, using the learning strategies and exerting their central roles; second, teachers should change their traditional ideas, adapt to and play the new roles as teaching facilitators, learning mentors, equal learners and courseware developers; last, the learning environment and facilities need to be well maintained and constantly improved.

Key words: autonomy; autonomous learning; web-based; college English learning

摘  要：
中国对外交流的增多和经济的发展需要大量能熟练掌握并运用英语的人才。传统的大学英语教学模式已无法满足当今社会的需求。自二十世纪九十年代起，网络教学受到了外语界的普遍关注和倡导。网络环境下的英语自主学习就是学习者在网络环境下自主确定英语学习目标,运用合适的学习方法和评估自身学习的过程。相对于传统的英语教学模式，网络环境下的英语教学有较多优势，如教学资源丰富、不受时间和空间的限制、能激发学生学习的兴趣等。然而，这种教学模式也是有缺陷的，例如，学生的自觉性不高，老师的认识和技能不足，教学设施不健全等。为了使学生能够在网络环境下提高英语学习的自主性，首先，学生应加强自身的责任感，有强烈的决心，掌握学习策略和发挥在教学中的核心作用；其次，教师也应改变传统观念,适应并承担新的角色，即教学的促进者，学习的指导者，平等的学习者和课件的开发者；最后，学校要维护并不断改善教学设施和环境。

关键词：自主性；自主学习；网络环境下的；大学英语学习

1 Introduction
In the Information Age, English, an international language, acts as the medium of communication between China and other countries in politics, economy, science, culture, sports, entertainment, etc. With the fast development in all aspects, China is in great need of talents proficient in English.
However, the current Chinese English education, especially college English teaching, cannot really meet the needs of the society. The problems mainly include the tedious and boring teaching modes or methods and the limited teaching materials. In the face of the active thinking of contemporary college students, the traditional English teaching approach cannot effectively arouse their learning interest and exploring spirit.