Self Access Center

The main purpose of such a center is to provide the students of Udon Thani Rajabhat University in Thailand with a study resource that can be used independently by themselves whenever they wish. Language study and student autonomy should go hand in hand if a center like this is to be successful.

However, some initial funding has been granted and so the preliminary stages have commenced and with the help of the Books for Thailand Foundation and some of the publishing companies like Macmillan and McGraw-Hill Education, students will start to use the Self Access Center this year.

It is hoped that students will take advantage of this facility in order to use the learning resources that are on offer to increase their reading, writing, listening and speaking skills as well as vocabulary and grammar. Teachers will also find resources to help with lesson planning, teaching the four skills and supplementary materials to help with lesson preparation and practice.

Update 27th August 2008

After what has seemed like years of waiting, the sound of furniture being moved was heard from the empty Self Access Center, most probably due to the financial year coming to an end and the need to have the money spent before it is reclaimed and lost forever. Hopefully, I will be able to use some of the resources next semester.

Check out pictures of our Self Access Center in the Steve's English Zone photo gallery.

Update 19th August 2009

It has taken yet another year before we have been able to have the official opening by The President of Udon Thani Rajabhat University. 

Update for 2010  

I have managed to encourage my BEd English 3/2 class to use the facilities on offer by incorporating the reading of graded readers and the watching of films in English with English subtitles into their course requirements. Recently, when the university was being used for entrance examinations and our classes were cancelled, this class was able to conduct their normal presentation activities in the Self Access Center without any trauma. It just goes to show how flexible and adaptable these students are if you give them the chance to show you what they can do.