‘Examining the "self” in self-access materials
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Other Title
Authors
Reinders, Hayo
Lewis, Marilyn
Lewis, Marilyn
Author ORCID Profiles (clickable)
Degree
Grantor
Date
2005
Supervisors
Type
Journal Article
Ngā Upoko Tukutuku (Māori subject headings)
Keyword
self-access centres (SACs)
CALL support materials
New Zealand
second language acquisition (SLA)
L2 acquistion
computer-assisted language learning
CALL support materials
New Zealand
second language acquisition (SLA)
L2 acquistion
computer-assisted language learning
ANZSRC Field of Research Code (2020)
Citation
Reinders, H. & M. Lewis (2005). Examining the self in self-access materials. rEFLections, 7, 46-53. NOTE: This is research undertaken for the University of Auckland, prior to the author being affiliated with the Unitec Institute of Technology.
Abstract
Self-access centres (SACS*) are an increasingly common form of support for language learners. Self-access learning, by its nature, is heavily dependent on the availability of sufficient and relevant materials of a high quality, since students often have little or no access to further support from a teacher. The materials thus have to be very clear, comprehensive, and easy to use. Although more and more publishers now include comments such as ‘suitable for self-access’ in their catalogues it is not always clear on what basis such comments are made. The majority of purchasing decisions are made by Centre staff without even such basic comments. This article presents the results of an evaluation of a random selection of materials in one university self-access centre, using an evaluative checklist developed by the authors. Results from a quantitative analysis show that many materials do not include the types of support needed in a self-access context. Results from a qualitative analysis of the evaluators’ comments show that the features most commented on by teachers (either for their absence or their presence) are ease of access and support for the wider development of students’ language learning strategies.
Publisher
rEFLections
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DOI
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rEFLections
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