Autonomous people are...
able to identify what is being taught in the classroom
can see the importance of what the teacher is trying to do
are able to formulate their own learning objectives but in cooperation or addition to what the teacher is doing
can select and implement appropriate learning strategies, often consciously
can monitor these strategies
are able to identify strategies which are not working for them, they have confidence to ditch strategies
(Dickenson, L. 1992, ELT Journal)