PART 1 THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES 5
1 Background to self-access language learning 5
1.1 Introduction 5
1.2 Definitions 5
1.3 Elements of self-access 8
1.4 Issues in establishing self-access 11
1.5 SALL environments 20
1.6 Justifying SALL 20
1.7 The costs of SAIL 31
1.8 Summary 34
1.9 Tasks 35
1.1O For discussion 36
2 Learners and teachers beliefs and attitudes about language learning 37
2.1 Introduction 37
2.2 Learners beliefs about language learning 37
2.3 Teachers beliefs about language learning 38
2.4 Differences between learners and teachers beliefs about language learning 40
2.5 Cultural influences 42
2.6 Preparing learners for self-access language learning 43
2.7 Preparing teachers for self-access language learning 43
2.8 Learners and teachers beliefs about self-access language learning 47
2.9 Summary 49
2.10 Tasks 50
2.11 For discussion 50
3 A typology of self-access 51
3.1 Introduction 51
3.2 Types of self-access facilities 52
3.3 Learner support structures 57
3.4 Aself-access typology 57
3.5 Self-access system flexibility 58
3.6 Summary 64
3.7 Tasks 64
3.8 For discussion 64
4.1 Introduction 65
4 Management of self-access facilities 65
4.2 Defining management 66
4.3 Approaches to management 69
4.4 Managinga self-access centre 71
4.5 Managing classroom self-access 77
4.6 Involving learners 77
4.7 Training managers 78
4.8 Evaluation 80
4.11 For discussion 82
4.9 Summary 82
4.10 Tasks 82
PART 2 PRACTICAL PERSPECTIVES 83
5 Learner profiles 83
5.1 Introduction 83
5.2 A definition of a learner profile 84
5.3 The goals of using learner profiles 84
5.4 The benefits to learners 86
5.5 The benefits to teachers 87
5.6 What a learner profile looks like 88
5.7 Constructing learner profiles 88
5.8 Updating profiles 93
5.9 Access to information 94
5.10 Summary 94
5.11 Tasks 95
5.12 For discussion 95
6.1 Introduction 96
6 Materials for self-access language learning 96
6.2 Published language-learning materials 97
6.3 Authentic materials 101
6.4 Specially produced materials 105
6.5 Student contributions to materials 107
6.6 A note about generic materials 109
6.7 Stocking a self-access centre 113
6.8 Knowing how good your materials are 113
6.9 Implications for self-access materials development 114
6.10 Summary 121
6.11 Tasks 122
6.12 For discussion 122
7 Self-access activities 123
7.1 Introduction 123
7.2 Getting started 123
7.3 Ideas for self-access activities 129
7.4 General activities in a self-access centre 136
7.7 For discussion 138
7.6 Tasks 138
7.5 Summary 138
8 Physical settings and resourcing 139
8.1 Introduction 139
8.2 The classroom 139
8.3 Library 143
8.4 Self-access centres 145
8.5 Summary 154
8.7 For discussion 155
8.6 Tasks 155
9 From teacher-directed to self-access learning 156
9.1 Introduction 156
9.2 Getting started in self-access learning 157
9.3 Designing and implementing self-access learning 163
9.4 Reflecting on self-access 174
9.5 Summary 178
9.6 Tasks 178
9.7 For discussion 178
10 Counselling 180
10.1 Introduction 180
10.2 Classroom teachers and self-access counsellors 180
10.3 Managing counsellors 183
10.4 Practical skills for working in a SAC 186
10.5 Counsellor training 188
10.6 Effective counselling 193
10.7 Non-counselling duties 194
10.8 Alternative counselling 196
10.9 Summary 201
10.10 Tasks 203
10.11 For discussion 203
11 Assessment in self-access learning 205
11.1 Introduction 205
11.2 Purposes of assessment 205
11.3 Kinds of assessment 206
11.4 The content of assessments 216
11.5 The administration of assessments 220
11.6 Using the results of assessments 222
11.7 Summary 223
11.8 Tasks 224
11.9 For discussion 224
12 Evaluation of self-access language learning 225
12.1 Introduction 225
12.2 Reasons for evaluating self-access learning 226
12.3 Measuring efficiency and effectiveness 228
12.4 The focus and effect of evaluations 232
12.5 Deciding what to evaluate 233
12.6 Matching evaluations to self-access goals 233
12.7 Evaluation tools 236
12.8 Sources of data 237
12.9 A step-by-step guide to conducting an evaluation of self-access 238
12.10 Summary 238
12.12 For discussion 240
12.11 Tasks 240
PART 3 CASE STUDIES 241
13 Introduction 241
14 Case study 1: Self-access in a primary school 242
15 Case study 2: Self-access in a secondary school 247
16 Case study 3: Self-access in a university 252
17 Case study 4: Self-access in a private language school 257
References 262
Index 272