Reframing Self-Access: Reviewing the Literature and Updating a Mission Statement for a New Era

• Main Authors: Ambinintsoa, D.V (Author), Bennett, P.A (Author), Castro, E. (Author), Curry, N. (Author), Davies, H. (Author), Imamura, Y. (Author), Kato, S. (Author), Mynard, J. (Author), Shelton-Strong, S. (Author), Stevenson, R. (Author), Ubukata, H. (Author), Watkins, S. (Author), Wongsarnpigoon, I. (Author), Yarwood, A. (Author)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kanda University of International Studies 2022
• Subjects: complexity; mission; self-access; theory
• Online Access: View Fulltext in Publisher

 This paper documents part of the process of preparing to fully reopen the physical Self- Access Learning Center (SALC) in a university in Japan after being somewhat interrupted during two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Self-access is becoming increasingly complex, multi-faceted and multi-disciplinary and it is necessary to revisit SALC mission statements periodically, particularly after major events or changes. A group of language educators working at the university examined literature and theories from a range of perspectives in order to inform the future directions of the SALC. In a series of meetings over a one-semester period, one or two team members led a guided discussion based on some key papers, talks or other resources related to eight themes. After a semester of such discussions, they returned to the mission statement and re-examined it, making it more theoretically robust and specific, acting as a guide for SALC services for a new era. © 2022 by the authors.