IATEFL Learner Autonomy SIG

IATEFL Learner Autonomy Special Interest Group

A website to share news and resources related to learner autonomy.

Learner Autonomy SIG Day at IATEFL, Exeter

Wednesday 9th April 2008

The following were our featured speakers for the LASIG day at the IATEFL conference in Exeter.

	10.25 - 11.20 Janet Olearski "The ILC iceberg: insights from the crew" Abstract: An Independent Learning Centre is like an iceberg: what goes on under the surface is not apparent to its users. Having a knowledgeable and energised team is key to good organisation and smooth-sailing. The presenter will describe how tasks and projects devised to help orient staff to ILC work eventually contributed to a creative ILC staff development programme. Janet Olearski is a Senior Lecturer at the Petroleum Institute, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, where she has held the post of Learning Enhancement Coordinator on the Foundation Program since 2002. She set up the PI's first ILC in 2003 on the men's campus and a second ILC on the women's campus in 2007. She has worked extensively in ELT publishing as an author and editor and currently writes for Helbling Languages. Further information can be found on : http://authorsites.co.uk/janetolearski/ and http://www.pi-ilcweb.inf/
	11.45 - 12.30 Anna Gorevanova "Encouraging learner autonomy: the SOLC experience" Abstract: The British Council Uzbekistan has been leading a regional project called Encouraging Learner Autonomy (ELA). The talk aims to share the experience of the SOLC (Supported Open Learning Centre) at the British Council in Uzbekistan in the area of learner autonomy, as well as the experience of the countries of Central and South-East Asia. Anna Gorevanova is a Manager of Learner Services at British Council, Uzbekistan. She has MA in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) from Bilkent University, Turkey (1999- 2000). Anna is involved in a number of British Council projects as a materials writers' team co-ordinator including DUET (formerly Open Learning for English Teachers) and Encouraging Learner Autonomy (ELA) in Central and South Asia. She is interested in Counselling, Peer Support in developing Learner Autonomy and Interdependence.
	14.00 - 14.45 Programme change David Evans "The evolution of English: Dictionaries and language change"
	15.00 - 15.30 Andy Barfield "Exploring learners' L2 collocation knowledge and use" Abstract: Little research has been carried out into how learners construct their practices of developing their L2 collocation knowledge, how these practices (mis-)fit with their changing identities and desires, and what material, linguistic and social resources they may access and act on. To address this gap, this presentation focuses on insights from a one-year qualitative interview-based study with four university students. Andy Barfield teaches in the Faculty of Law at Chuo University, Tokyo, Japan, helping undergraduates in their research through English in content-focused / -specific courses on international, legal,, political, and social issues. Andy has also co-edited different volumes on autonomy in language education, including "the parrot book" (Reconstructing Autonomy in Language Education, 2007, Palgrave Macmillan). He has been an active member of the JALT Learner Development SIG for over a decade and is a visiting researcher at Swansea University from April 2008 to March 2009.
	15.45 - 16.30 Susan Sheehan "Does self-assessment promote learner autonomy?" Abstract: Self-assessment, which had previously occupied a marginal position in English language teaching, has come to greater prominence. It is common to see claims that self-assessment promoted learner autonomy. It is less common, however, to see empirical evidence of this claim. In this talk the presenter reports the results of her research into the relationship between self-assessment and learner autonomy.
	17.05 - 17.35 Mitsuko Matsuo "Cooperative learning through group project work and presentation." Abstract: What is the solution for unmotivated college students? Learner-centered group project work has been exploited in the presenter's classrooms for more than three years. Collecting information for a project from authentic materials made students active learners. In the process they learn cooperatively in a group which is a less stressful environment. Doing presentations based on their investigations brought them feelings of achievement. Mitsuko Matsuo holds an MA in TESOL from Teacher's College Columbia. Until very recently, she taught in universities in Japan since 1995. Her areas of research are journal writing, CALL, a learner-centered approach and group projects.
	17.50 - 18.50 LASIG Open Forum Following the LA SIG Business Meeting, Leni Dam (Pedagogical Institute Denmark), a featured speaker in our Pre-conference Event, picked up on issues and questions raised by members of the audience and lead an Open Forum Discussion on "Teacher education for learner autonomy - what can and should be done?" Discussion panel includes Frank Lacey, Anja Burkert and Andy Barfield.