[00:57.43]PAM:Hi Jun.
[00:58.55]As you know, I've asked you here today to discuss the future of our Self-Access Centre.
[01:03.93]We have to decide what we want to do about this very important resource for our English language students.
[01:11.13]So, can you tell me what the students think about this?
[01:15.15]JUN:Well, from the students' point of view, we would like to keep it.
[01:18.83]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;
[01:35.85]there aren't enough for one each at the moment and we always have to share.
[01:39.65]PAM: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.
[01:50.44]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.
[01:58.10] Some of us also think that we could benefit a lot more by relocating the Self-Access Centre to the main University library building.
[02:06.82]How do you think the students would feel about that, Jun?
[02:09.59]JUN:Well, the library is big enough to incorporate the Self-Access Centre, but it wouldn't be like a class activity anymore.
[02:17.21] Our main worry would be not being able to go to a teacher for advice.
[02:22.37]I'm sure there would be plenty of things to do but we really need teachers to help us choose the best activities.
[02:29.47]PAM: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.
[02:36.99]JUN:Yes, but I think the students would be much happier keeping the existing set-up;
[02:41.00]they realty like going to the Self-Access Centre with their teacher and staying together as a group to do activities.
[02:48.47]If we could just improve the resources and facilities, I think it would be fine.
[02:53.72]Is the cost going to be a problem?
[02:56.12]PAM: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.
[03:06.79]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.
[03:14.11]Anyway, let's make some notes to see just whet needs doing to improve the Centre.
[04:08.74]PAM:Now, what about the computers?
[04:10.68]I think it might be a good idea to install some new models.
[04:14.59]They would take up a lot less room and so that would increase the work space for text books and so on.
[04:20.70]JUN:That would be great.
[04:21.91]It is a bit cramped in there at times.
[04:23.95]PAM:What about other resources?
[04:26.43]Do you have a list of things that the students would like to see improved?
[04:30.26]JUN: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 dearly.
[04:43.80]PAM:Well that's easy enough, we can get that organised very quickly.
[04:46.49]In fact I think we should review all of the study resources as some of them are looking a bit out-of-date.
[04:53.40]JUN:Definitely.
[04:54.50] The CD section especially needs to be more current.
[04:57.31]I think we should get some of the ones that go with our latest course books and also make multiple copies.
[05:04.62]PAM:Good, now I was also thinking about some different materials that we haven't got in there at all.
[05:10.64]What do you think of the idea of introducing some workbooks?
[05:15.13]If we break them up into separate paces and laminate them, they’d be a great resource.
[05:21.80]The students could study the main course book in class and then do follow-up practice in the Self-Access Centre.
[05:28.60]JUN:That sounds good.
[05:28.96]PAM: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.
[05:42.29]But we also need to think about security, too.
[05:45.61]Especially if we're going to invest in some new equipment.
[05:48.13]JUN: What about putting in an alarm?
[05:50.79]PAM:Good idea.
[05:51.77]The other thing I'd like to do is talk to our technicians and see whether we could somehow limit the access to email.
[06:00.40]I really don't want to see that resource misused.
[06:03.17]JUN:What about if we agree to only use it before and after class?
[06:07.30]PAM:Yes, that would be fine.
[06:08.88]OK, anyway ...
[06:10.33]that's great for now.
[06:11.98]Well discuss it further when we've managed to ...
