| Hi Jun. |
| As you know, I've asked you here today to discuss the future of our Self-Access Centre. |
| We have to decide what we want to do about this very important resource for our English language students. |
| So, can you tell me what the students think about this? |
| Well, from the students' point of view, we would like to keep it. |
| The majority of students say that they enjoy using it |
| because it provides a variation on the classroom routine |
| and they see it as a pretty major component of their course, |
| but we would like to see some improvements to the equipment, particularly the computers; |
| there aren't enough for one each at the moment and we always have to share. |
| Well, yes, the teachers agree that it is a very valuable resource |
| but one thing we have noticed is that a lot of the students are using it to check their personal emails. |
| We don't want to stop you students using it, |
| but we think the computers should be used as a learning resource, not for emails. |
| Some of us also think that we could benefit a lot more by relocating the Self-Access Centre |
| to the main University library building. |
| How do you think the students would feel about that, Jun? |
| Well, the library is big enough to incorporate the Self-Access Centre, |
| but it wouldn't be like a class activity anymore. |
| Our main worry would be not being able to go to a teacher for advice. |
| I'm sure there would be plenty of things to do |
| but we really need teachers to help us choose the best activities. |
| Well, there would still be a teacher present and he or she would guide the activities of the students, |
| we wouldn't just leave them to get on with it. |
| Yes, but I think the students would be much happier keeping the existing set-up; |
| they really like going to the Self-Access Centre with their teacher |
| and staying together as a group to do activities. |
| If we could just improve the resources and facilities, I think it would be fine. |
| Is the cost going to be a problem? |
| It's not so much the expense that I'm worried about, |
| and we've certainly got room to do it, |
| but it's the problem of timetabling a teacher to be in there outside class hours. |
| If we're going to spend a lot of money on equipment and resources, |
| we really need to make sure that everything is looked after properly. |
| Anyway, let's make some notes to see just what needs doing to improve the Centre. |
| Now, what about the computers? |
| I think it might be a good idea to install some new models. |
| They would take up a lot less room |
| and so that would increase the work space for text books and so on. |
| That would be great. |
| It is a bit cramped in there at times. |
| What about other resources? |
| Do you have a list of things that the students would like to see improved? |
| Yes, one of the comments that students frequently make |
| is that they find it difficult to find materials that are appropriate for their level, |
| especially reading resources, |
| so I think we need to label them more clearly. |
| Well, that's easy enough, we can get that organised very quickly. |
| In fact, I think we should review all of the study resources as some of them are looking a bit out-of-date. |
| Definitely. |
| The CD section especially needs to be more current. |
| I think we should get some of the ones that go with our latest course books |
| and also make multiple copies. |
| Good. |
| Now, I was also thinking about some different materials that we haven't got in there at all. |
| What do you think of the idea of introducing some workbooks? |
| If we break them up into separate pages and laminate them, |
| they'd be a great resource. |
| The students could study the main course book in class |
| and then do follow-up practice in the Self-Access Centre. |
| That sounds good. |
| Okay, now, finally we need to think about how the room is used. |
| I'll have to talk to the teachers |
| and make sure we can all reach some agreement on a timetable to supervise the centre after class. |
| But we also need to think about security, too. |
| Especially if we're going to invest in some new equipment. |
| Umm... what about putting in an alarm? |
| Good idea. |
| The other thing I'd like to do is talk to our technicians |
| and see whether we could somehow limit the access to email. |
| I really don't want to see that resource misused. |
| What about if we agree to only use it before and after class? |
| Yes, that would be fine. |
| OK, anyway... that's great for now. |
| We'll discuss it further when we've managed... |