Date: Thursday, 7th May 2015
Speakers: SHEN Jiayu
Topic: Evaluating the Usefulness of Writing Materials in Self-access Language Learning from the Learners’ Perspective
Abstract:
Self-access language learning (SALL) promotes learner autonomy and cultivates life-long learners. Due to the commercially-bought self-access materials housed at the City U Self Access Centre (SAC), their usefulness to SALL is not assured. Hence, there is a need to evaluate materials, especially writing materials due to the increasingly importance of writing in university study. This study explored students’ perceptions of and attitudes towards the SALL writing materials and the City U SAC. The results of a qualitative and quantitative study of 32 student users will be presented, as well as the implications of the findings regarding the SALL materials.
Speaker’s bio:
SHEN Jiayu is a postgraduate student at the City University of Hong Kong. Her major is English Studies. She recently finished her Master’s thesis and was supervised by Dr. Lindsay Miller. Her work is similar to a pilot study done on the SALL materials housed in City U’s SAC. She chose this topic because of her vast experience with self-access learning and use of SAC materials while studying for her Bachelor’s degree.
