The present paper begins by situating learner autonomy and collaborative learning as part of a larger paradigm shift towards student-centred learning. Next are brief discussions of learner autonomy and how learner autonomy links with collaborative learning. In the main part of the paper, four central principles of collaborative learning are explained: maximum peer interactions, equal opportunities to participate, individual accountability and positive interdependence. The discussion of each principle includes what the principle involves, why the principle is important and how the principle can be implemented. [This paper was published in: Handoyo Puji Widodo (Ed.). "Proceedings from the 7th International Conference on Teaching English as Foreign Language (COTEFL)." Purwokerto, Indonesia: Faculty of Letters, University of Muhammadiyah, 2015.]