What is RILAE?
The Research Institute for Learner Autonomy Education (RILAE) was established in April 2017 as part of the Self-Access Learning Center (SALC) at Kanda University of International Studies (KUIS), by Jo Mynard, Satoko Kato and Hayo Reinders. Its aim is to promote research, professional development, and best practice in developing lifelong autonomous learning.
Vision
RILAE will become a global hub for learner autonomy-related research and professional development activities for the Kanda group and beyond. RILAE will coordinate research related to self-access language learning, language advising, and the promotion of language learner autonomy. In addition, it will provide education in those areas, specialising in initial advisor training programmes, ongoing professional development, advising workshops, peer advisor training, and advisor trainer training programmes. In order to create this hub, RILAE will organise regular advising-related events and networking opportunities for advisors (in Japan and internationally), and also publish research reports and practical activities for educators. The services will be targeted at both Kanda group employees and professionals elsewhere.
Research
RILAE currently coordinates research within the SALC at KUIS with the aim of ensuring that learners’ needs are being met. RILAE will further develop its research agenda to focus on the wider world including collaborating with other institutions in order to increase our research impact and contribution to the field.
Education
The Kanda Group already offers training and support for learning advisors both internally and to professionals elsewhere, but as the demands for training increases from other institutions, we will increase our education services both in Japan and overseas.
Practice
The SALC is a working example of effective self-access in action. It is also a testing ground for new research, education, and innovative approaches to promoting autonomous language learning. RILAE aims to support professionals as they develop an awareness of learner autonomy in practice.
Research Mission
To create an international hub for research related to language learner autonomy. This includes:
- Self-access
- Longitudinal studies
- Collaborative research with international partners
- Publications, including a dedicated research journal
- Events
- Developing research skills
Education Mission
To promote learner autonomy through advising and advisor training within and outside the Kanda Group. This includes:
- Professional development workshops for colleagues in the Kanda Group and other professionals
- Certificate programs in advising at all levels
- Mentoring programs for learning advisors
- Courses and training for students
Practice
Lifelong learner autonomy is fostered both inside and outside the classroom and RILAE supports educators to develop skills and create learning spaces optimal to the promotion of autonomy. RILAE supports education in:
- Considering appropriate communities, spaces, and resources for learning
- Maximising opportunities for learner interdependence and interaction
- Developing autonomy in learners
School of Foreign Languages, Yıldırım Beyazıt Üniversitesi, Turkey
School of Liberal Arts, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Thailand
School of Histories, Languages and Cultures, University of Hull, UK
Language Center, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany
Hawai’i Pacific University, USA
Paris Île-de-France Digital University, France
Unitec Institute of Technology, New Zealand
Anaheim University, USA
University of Queensland, Australia
KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden
Contact us: rilae@kuis.ac.jp