Beyond The Abstracts: Isobel Hook (December 2023, S1e1)

In this conversation I speak with Isobel Hook. In addition to being an experienced language instructor, Isobel is currently the Coordinator of the Self-Access Learning Center, also known as the i-Space, which is part of the International Education Center at Kyoto Notre Dame University in Japan. In addition to developing and promoting the i-Space, her research interests span the roles of identity, technology, autonomy, and self access in language teaching and learning. In this conversation we explore the creation of the i-Space, how it was developed, learning materials, the impact of space and place, the role of collaboration and community, issues of gender, and current and future challenges with coordinating and evaluating a Self-Access Learning Center, including how to overcome resource limitations. This conversation should be of particular interest to educational practitioners, and in particular to current or prospective SALC Co-ordinators.