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This historical study investigates the concept of learner autonomy in the national English language curricula for Chinese universities. It seeks to understand the meaning of learner autonomy in China and the intentionality of promoting this concept through the curricula from 1978 to 2007. By adopting Quentin Skinner’s intentionalist approach to analyzing the history of ideas, this study conducted a systematic document analysis of three national curricula in relation to their linguistic and practical contexts constituted of 169 Chinese academic articles in total. The study revealed that learner autonomy mainly referred to students’ motivation and ability to work hard on their own outside the classroom in the Chinese context. Importing this concept, however, caused ideological confusion and exacerbated the disempowerment of teachers within the dynamics of China’s English language education at the tertiary level. The study raises awareness for borrowing concepts across different cultural contexts and has implications for research, policymaking, teacher development, and pedagogical practice in second language education in China.

Learner Autonomy in the National English Language Curricula for Chinese Universities 1978—2007: A Historical Analysis