The state-of-the-art of self-access in New Zealand : results of a SWOT analysis.

Abstract

Self-access centres form an important part of language education in New Zealand. A recent study (Reinders et al., 2003) showed that all tertiary providers in the country offered some form of self-access language learning facilities. However, little is known about the types of support available and their strengths and weaknesses. As part of the study 13 centres in New Zealand were visited and interviews were conducted with their managers to identify current approaches to self-access and specifically to conduct a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis. This paper reports the results of the analysis and discusses the key issues that emerged.