Possibilities of Independent Learning in Two Self-Access Facilities of an Iranian University

• Main Author: Afshin Mohammadi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kanda University of International Studies 2014-09-01
• Series: Studies in Self-Access Learning Journal
• Subjects: autonomy; self-access language learning; out-of-class learning; EFL.
• Online Access: https://sisaljournal.org/archives/sep14/mohammadi/

The roles that self-access centers play in language learners’ development of autonomy considerably vary in accordance with the institutional features attributed to their structure and the services they offer. As part of a larger study which assessed 100 learners’ readiness for autonomy, this paper reports on the status quo of two facilities at the humanities faculty of an Iranian university, based on English-as-Foreign-Language (EFL) learners’ views and practices. Seven undergraduate EFL learners from various years of study were asked to describe the ways in which they exploit self-access services for language learning purposes and express their opinions vis-à-vis their functionality through semi-structured interviews. Findings reveal that most learners preferred not to attend the computer center, principally because, the Internet, as the most widely acknowledged service, had become available in other places around the university, such as in the dormitory. The reasons for this reluctance are highlighted, along with a presentation of some suggestions for upgrading learners’ participation in self-access language learning in similar contexts.