The evaluation of a self-access centre: A useful addition to class-based teaching?

Learner autonomy has been an important issue in English Language Teaching since the 1960s. In language teaching it is of vital importance, since learning can only occur if the learners are willing to learn. So, the students have to realize that their role in the process of learning is crucial. Students have different needs, styles of learning and interests. In addition, there are psychological and personal factors, varying study habits and levels of motivation and a variety of cultural traits. When students are taught how to learn by themselves in ‘self-access centres (SAC)’, a great many language teaching problems can be solved. The aim of the study is to investigate the effectiveness of a SAC in terms of learners’ attitudes, behaviours and practices in the light of the questions regarding what it is and what it should be. The results mainly show that the SAC at Izmir University of Economics (IUE) offers opportunities for learning, encourages learners to change their approaches to learning, and is being valued by both the teachers and the students, although in spite of these benefits, it does not necessarily lead to autonomy.