Stella Hurd is a Senior Lecturer in French at the Open University, where she has developed materials at all levels since 1994. As a member of the Open Universityâ€(TM)s Centre for Research into Education and Educational Technology, her main research focus is distance language learning and teaching, which embraces autonomy, affect, learning strategies and learner support. She has published on all these topics in refereed journals and books and has also co-edited three books on adult language learning.

Tim Lewis is currently a Lecturer in French in the Department of Languages of the Open University. From 1993 to 2001 he was Director of the Modern Languages Teaching Centre of the University of Sheffield where he introduced Tandem learning into UK Higher Education. A member of the Open Universityâ€(TM)s Centre for Research into Education and Educational Technology, he has co-edited two previous books on technology-based language learning and on tandem learning.

Classroom-based language tuition is often overshadowed by approaches such as distance learning, supported independent learning and blended learning. This book examines language learning strategies in a range of independent settings and addresses key issues for independent learners such as autonomy, strategic awareness and self-regulation.