Self-access: Preparation and training

This practical 1992 booklet, the first in a series, considers ways in which institutions and staff, as well as learners, need to be prepared for self-access learning.

The author begins by explaining the purpose and day-to-day functioning of four contrasting types of self-access centre – the ‘instruction centre’ involving a programme of learning; the ‘practice’ centre, which directly complements classroom teaching; the ‘skill’ centre, which typically prioritises listening or computer-based activities; and, finally, the ‘learning’ centre, where students choose which materials they will work with, supported by a ‘librarian’ teacher.

She then suggests questions to be discussed before a final choice of type of centre is made. Chapters 3 and 4 address teacher and learner preparation, respectively, while Chapters 5 and 6 provide materials for interesting teacher and learner simulation activities.

This book is free to download below as a pdf file.

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