COVID-19, a breakthrough in educational systems: Keeping the development of language learners' autonomy at self-access language centres

Cira, Beatriz Eugenia Navarro and López, Isabel Carrillo (2020) COVID-19, a breakthrough in educational systems: Keeping the development of language learners' autonomy at self-access language centres. SiSal Journal, 11 (3), 220-234. (doi:10.37237/110309).

Abstract

This article presents two flexible operational process models (OPM) that could serve as guidelines for a self-access language centre (SALC) in the provision of advising services and workshops not only at difficult times such as the one caused by COVID-19, but also on a regular basis. The aim of the models is to provide a vision to plan, monitor, evaluate and improve the processes involved in the provision of the above mentioned services which have been described by a number of authors as approaches to fostering autonomy in language learners. Tassinari (2010) sees these two approaches at SALCs as a way to offer support and guidance for learners on their path towards autonomy. The OPMs presented in this paper include a reconsideration of the relationships between the implementation of a quality management system (QMS) offered by the International Organization for Standardization (IOS) and the processes involved in the planning, monitoring and eventually evaluating the steps involved in the enhancement of learner autonomy and language learner competence in a SALC. Keeping in mind that if a SALC opts to implement a quality approach in the provision of their services, it will require a fundamental transformation in its managerial strategies, not only to obtain a quality award, but also if they choose to improve their management processes related to the provision of its services as well.

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Contributors

Author: Beatriz Eugenia Navarro Cira

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