Catering for Tertiary Language Learners : Different Provisions for Self-access Language Learning Support

Hong Kong is a world leader in the provision of both human and material resources to support Self-Access Language Learning (SALL). In line with technological developments and the ever-expanding access to language learning materials via the Internet, broadband broadcasting and mobile media, developments in ways to provide support for SALL are quickly following suit. There are many different ways in which a Self-Access Center (SAC) can be set up so that materials and facilities best suit the needs of learners (e.g., Dickinson 1987; Sheerin 1989; Little 1989; Sturtridge 1992; Esch 1994; Gardner & Miller 1999). In this paper we focus on three types of provision and discuss each in terms of how they cater for different types of learner and learning preference.