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For the last couple of years, the Self-Access Center has fast become an essential part of our students’ extracurricular activities. Our primary aim thus far has been to establish a place where students could go to receive a little bit of extra care and attention than is possible in the classroom. In order to achieve this aim, the Center has been run on the basis that it will supplement and develop further the materials being worked on in the classroom in the following ways:
·The running of guided tutorials to supplement the skills being taught in the classroom.
·Having teachers available, either 1) on a one to one basis, or 2) for group study, to answer questions and to offer advice when necessary.
·Providing resources of a self-access nature for students who wish to take further control of their own studies.
The guided tutorials and self-access materials aim to develop the various sub-skills for reading, writing and listening that the students will be required to work on and indeed may rely on throughout their academic careers.
Students are also invited to take advantage of the guided readers, grammar, and reading and writing course books available in the Center. Readers are available for all levels of language, and students can borrow them upon production of their ID cards for two weeks. Supplementary materials may also be borrowed by students for personal photocopying, again on production of their ID.
Computers in the Self Access Center have access to the Internet. Students are allowed to use the Internet for their studies.
Questionnaires administered during the academic year have revealed that regular users of the Center regard it as an important part of their academic studies, and our future ambition is to make the Center a cornerstone of the students’ Preparatory Program experience. Use of the Center has steadily increased over its first two years, and from conversing with students, it has become evident that there is a correlation between regular attendance at the Center and their performance.
The materials available in the Center are prepared in order to meet the English Preparatory Program’s commitment to a genuine understanding of the English language, rather than just university exam standards.
ABOUT SAC
What's Self-Access Learning All About?
Below are some questions that people often ask about self-access learning:
1. Why self-access learning?
2. What's wrong with classroom teaching?
3. Do I still need a teacher in self-access learning?
4. How different is the Learning Center from the CALL Center?
5. How should I plan my study?
6. Does self-access learning take place only in the self-access center?
Q.1 Why should I choose self-access learning?
Ans. Self-access learning refers to a way of learning language without the direct control of a teacher. There are different types of learners, with different language needs. Yours may not be the same as those of your friends. Moreover, your learning style and the pace you prefer to learn at may vary from those of others. It is logical and necessary that your individual needs and interests should be catered for.
Q.2 What's wrong with classroom teaching?
Ans. There is nothing wrong with it. Both classroom learning and self-access learning are valuable means to improve your language proficiency. They should be seen as complementary to each other. Whereas classroom learning follows a teacher-directed programme, self-access learning is based on a programme designed by you.
You take full responsibility for your own learning in terms of analyzing your needs, selecting materials, planning your work and assessing your own progress. By doing so, your learning would have a better chance of meeting your needs and interests.
Q.3 Do I still need a teacher in self-access learning?
Ans. In self-access learning, you take an active role in planning your learning. Your teacher is not in direct control of your learning. He/She, on the other hand, assumes a different role to facilitate learning in various ways, e.g. providing and organizing materials, giving advice when you need some etc.. You are not left alone in your own learning. Your teacher is always there for you to talk to and to support you. There is a Learning Center Instructor on duty in the center that you can approach for advice on any point in your study.
Q.4 How different is the Learning Center from the CALL Center?
Ans. In the Learning Center, materials are organized and catalogued in such a way as to facilitate individualized choice. A computer catalogue is being set up to help you search for materials under different language skills, such as Reading, Grammar, and Vocabulary etc. You can choose and access materials on your own. Answer keys and follow-up suggestions usually accompany the materials.
Q.5 How should I plan my study?
Ans. You decide on what to learn according to your needs and interest. It is also your choice how long you want to spend in the self-access center. Be realistic and take into account factors like urgency of your needs and availability of time. You will learn more effectively if you set aside a certain period of time and plan your goals. To help you do this, you can fill in a learner contract (available in the center).
It is also a good idea to use your portfolio to record the materials you have used, your problems as well as your progress. You can plan what to do next. The portfolio will help you see what you have achieved and plan your next course of action to make your study systematic.
Q.6 Does self-access learning take place only in the Learning Center?
Ans. No. There are many ways to study independently. The Learning Center contains a lot of useful materials and facilities. Other resources are also useful. For example, you can use the library on the main campus where you can find a large collection of newspapers, magazines, and journals as well as the main collection. Furthermore, there are a wide range of films, documentaries and TV programmes to choose from.
Even at home, you can find lots of opportunities to learn, such as watching English or English subtitled TV programmes, listening to radio or reading newspapers etc. Self-access learning can happen anywhere.
FAQ
What can I do in the Center?
" On Microsoft software programmes
o Write your essays and reports for your classes
o Prepare graphs and charts for presentations
o Print copies of your work
" On Internet
o Do research
o Find great websites for learning and practicing English
" On E-mail
o Write to your teachers and classmates
o Complete some classroom assignments
Do I get a grade for attending the Center?
No. But your attendance is recorded for your portfolio. The worksheets you use in the Center are also put in your portfolio.
How often may I come to the Center? How long can I stay?
As often as you like when we are open and stay as long as you like. There is no limit.
Do I have to come to the Center?
No, but it is highly recommended as a way to individualize your studies at Bilgi and to focus improvement on your areas of weakness.
Can I borrow materials from the Center?
We have been trying for a while to get a "barcode" system to use so that books can be tracked. We have not been able to do so just yet. So, no materials cannot be borrowed. Sorry.
Is there anyone who can help me in the Center?
YES!! Always. We will be happy to help. We will review your writing and other materials with you in mini-tutorials and help you find the right materials to work on.
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