An Evaluation of a Self-Access Centre through EFL Learners' Eyes

Cem Balcikanli*
*Associate Professor, Department of ELT, Gazi University, Turkey.
Periodicity:January - March'2017
DOI : https://doi.org/10.26634/jelt.7.1.11391

Abstract

Learner autonomy has become a central concern in the recent history of language learning. Self-Access Centres (SACs) play a critical role in fostering learner autonomy specifically in EFL (English as a Foreign Language) settings. As SACs aim at enabling learning to occur independent of teaching, in these centres, language learners are given more opportunities to control their own learning and gain learning experiences and learning outcomes through collaborative endeavours. This study reports an evaluation of a SAC in the School of Foreign Languages of a state university in Ankara, Turkey, where it presents a challenging task to set up a SAC at a state university due to low budget provided to state universities. Using Gardner and Miller's (1999) and Morrison's (2008) frameworks, the study examines the effectiveness of a SAC in terms of learners' attitudes, behaviours, and experiences. Data derived from the interviews conducted with more than 200 EFL learners basically reveal the following points: First, the SAC provides opportunities specifically for learning outside the classrooms. Second, it offers possibilities for learners to reflect on their own learning processes, which is a key to the use of learner strategies. Third, it encourages learners to develop their autonomous skills through the exercise of out-of-class learning because in a collaborative setting, students interact with others in the Vygotskian sense. More importantly, students mention collaborative aspects of language learning, which has been given particular weight in recent years. In spite of the above mentioned findings, there is recognition of the practical problems of a SAC.

Keywords

Self-Access Centres, Autonomy, EFL Learners.

How to Cite this Article?

Balcikanli, C. (2017). An Evaluation of a Self-Access Centre through EFL Learners’ Eyes. i-manager’s Journal on English Language Teaching, 7(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.26634/jelt.7.1.11391

References

[1]. Aston, G., (1993). “The Learners' Contribution to the Selfaccess Centre”. ELT Journal, Vol.47, No.3, pp.219–227.
[2]. Barrs, K., (2010). “What Factors Encourage High Levels of Student Participation in a Self-access Centre?” Studies in Self-Access Learning Journal, Vol.1, No.1, pp.10-16.
[3]. Benson, P., and Huang, J., (2008). “Autonomy in the Transition from Foreign Language Learning to Foreign Language Teaching”. DELTA: Documentação de Estudos em Lingüística Teórica e Aplicada, Vol.24, pp.421-439.
[4]. Benson, P. (2013). Teaching and Researching: Autonomy in Language Learning. Routledge: New York.
[5]. Cooker, L., (2010). “Some Self-access Principles”. Studies in Self-Access Learning Journal, Vol.1, No.1, pp.5-9.
[6]. Cotterall, S., and Reinders, H., (2001). “Fortress or Bridge? Learners' Perceptions and Practice in Self Access Language Learning”. Tesolanz, Vol.8, pp.23-38.
[7]. Croker, R., and Ashurova, U., (2012). “Scaffolding Students' Initial Self-access Language Centre Experiences”. Studies in Self-Access Learning Journal, Vol.3, No.3, pp.237-253.
[8]. Gardner, D., and Miller, L., (1999). Establishing Self- Access. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge.
[9]. Gass, S.M., and Mackey, A., (2000). Stimulated Recall Methodology in Second Language Research. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates: Mahwah, NJ.
[10]. Glaser, B.G., and Strauss, A.L., (1967). The Discovery of Grounded Theory. Aldine Publishing: New York.
[11]. Holec, H., (1981). Autonomy and Foreign Language Learning. Pergamon: Oxford.
[12]. Hughes, L.S., Krug, N.P., and Vye, S.L. (2012). “Advising Practices: A Survey of Self-access Learner Motivations and Preferences”. Studies in Self-Access Learning Journal, Vol.3, No.2, pp.163-181.
[13]. Irshad Husain, Muhammad Javed, and Parveen Munshi (2015). “English as Second Language: Students' Awareness of Learning Strategies used in Reading Comprehension”. i-manager's Journal on English Language Teaching, Vol.5(1), Jan–Mar 2015, Print ISSN 2231–3338, E-ISSN 2249-0752, pp.11-18.
[14]. Iskenderoglu, Z. (1992). The Relation between Turkish University Students' Educational and Social Background and their Attitude towards Self-directed Learning and Attendance at Self-access Centres. (Unpublished MA thesis) Bilkent University: Ankara.
[15]. Klassen, J., Detaramani, C., Lui, E., Patri, M., and Wu, J., (1998). “Does self-access language learning at the tertiary level really work?” Asian Journal of English Language Teaching, Vol.8, pp.55-80. Retrieved from http://www.cuhk. edu.hk/ajelt/vol8/art4.htm
[16]. Littlewood, W. (1999). “Defining and developing autonomy in East Asian contexts”. Applied Llinguistics, Vol.20, No.1, pp.71-94.
[17]. Malcolm, D., (2004). “Why should Learners Contribute to the Self-access Centre?” ELT Journal, Vol.58, No.4, pp.346-345.
[18]. Morrison, B., (2005). “Evaluating Learning Gain in a Self-access Language Learning Centre”. Language Teaching Research, Vol.9, No.3, pp.267-293.
[19]. Morrison, B., (2008). “The Role of the Self-access Centre in the Tertiary Language Learning Process”. System, Vol.36, No.2, pp.123–140.
[20]. Ortiz. J.Z.P. (2006). “Evaluating Students' Autonomous Learning through their uses of a Self-access Centre”. Colombian Applied Linguistics Journal, Vol.8, pp.53-73.
[21]. Palfreyman, D., (2001). The Socio-cultural Construction of Learner Autonomy and Learner Independence in a Tertiary EFL Institution. (Unpublished Doctoral Thesis). Canterbury Christ Church University College.
[22]. Riley, P., and Zoppis, C. (1985). “The Sound and Video Library”. In: Riley, P. (Ed.), Discourse and Learnings. Longman: London, pp.114-131.
[23]. Rose, H., and Elliott, R. (2010). “An investigation of student use of a self-access English-only speaking area”. Studies in Self- Access Learning Journal, Vol.1, No.1, pp.32-46.
[24]. Smith, R., (2008). “Learner Autonomy”. ELT Journal, Vol.62, No.4, pp.395-397.
[25]. Yamaguchi, A., (2011). “Fostering Learner Autonomy as Agency: An Analysis of Narratives of a Student Staff Member Working at a Self-access Learning Centre”. Studies in Self-Access Learning Journal, Vol.2, No.4, pp.268-280.
[26]. Yumuk, A., (2002). “Letting Go of Control to the Learners: The Role of the Internet in Promoting a more Autonomous View of Learning in an Academic Translation Course”. Educational Research, Vol.44, No.2, pp.141-156.
[27]. Abbas Ali Zarei and Nooshin Baharestani (2014). “Language Learning Strategy Use across Proficiency Levels”. i-manager's Journal on English Language Teaching, Vol.4(4), Oct - Dec 2014, Print ISSN 2231–3338, EISSN 2249-0752, pp.27-38.
If you have access to this article please login to view the article or kindly login to purchase the article

Purchase Instant Access

Single Article

North Americas,UK,
Middle East,Europe
India Rest of world
USD EUR INR USD-ROW
Pdf 35 35 200 20
Online 35 35 200 15
Pdf & Online 35 35 400 25

Options for accessing this content:
  • If you would like institutional access to this content, please recommend the title to your librarian.
    Library Recommendation Form
  • If you already have i-manager's user account: Login above and proceed to purchase the article.
  • New Users: Please register, then proceed to purchase the article.