LAb Sessions

The aim of the LAb Sessions is to facilitate the global exchange of research and best practice in autonomy in language education.

Objectives include:

  • Providing an on open platform for researchers and autonomy practitioners to meet
  • Facilitating collaborative research and exchange of best practice
  • Creating a community of researchers in autonomy

LAb sessions will be streamed live, recorded and also archived on this website. Everyone is welcome to participate in these free events, either by proposing a short presentation, joining the sessions online in real time (with the option of posting questions and comments for the presenters), or viewing the recording later.

Next LAb session: July 2024 (Date and theme TBD)


LAb archive

Date: Friday 17th November 2023 (11th LAb session)
Theme:
Learner Autonomy, Positive Psychology and Well-Being

Featured speakers

  • Ana Maria Ferreira BarcelosUniversidade Federal de Viçosa, Brazil: “Emotional literacy and language learning” (Abstract and recording)
  • Quint Oga-BaldwinWaseda University: “Competence need satisfaction: Indicative of ability, or something more?” (Abstract and recording)
  • Daniel VelascoKindai University and Japan Counseling: “Positive Japanese Psychology: Strategies to Promote Self-Awareness and Autonomy” (Abstract and recording)

Date: Friday 14th July 2023 (10th LAb session)
Theme:
Technology in and for Learner Autonomy

Featured speakers

  • Napat JitpaisarnwattanaSilpakorn University, Thailand: Developing Learner Autonomy in Language MOOCs  (Abstract and recording)
  • Yukie SaitoChuo University, Japan: ChatGPT as a Language Companion: Integrating AI Into a University English Course (Abstract and recording)
  • Olga VibergKTH Royal Institute of TechnologySweden and Ward PeetersMonash University, Australia: Learning Analytics, Affect and Learner Autonomy in Online Learning Spaces: An Interview With Dr Olga Viberg (Abstract and recording)

Date: Friday 18th November 2022 (9th LAb session)
Theme:
Learner Autonomy in a Multilingual World: Supporting those learning/using multiple languages

Featured speakers

  • Jean-Marc Dewaele, Birkbeck, University of London, England: Interview by Emily Marzin and Eduardo Castro (Abstract and recording)
  • Christian LudwigFreie Universität, Germany: Learner Autonomy and Plurilingual Education: A Vision for the 21st-Century (Abstract and recording)
  • Katherine Thornton, Otemon Gakuin University, Japan: Languages Other Than English (LOTE) in Japan: What Support are SALCs Providing? (Abstract and recording)

Date: Friday 15th July 2022 (8th LAb session)
Theme:
Learner Autonomy and Engagement

Featured speakers

  • Jason BrownThompson Rivers University, Canada: Emotional Engagement: The Dynamo Powering Directed Motivational Currents (Abstract and recording)
  • Ashlee (Shiyao) ZhouHainan University, China: The Construct of Engagement and its Important Role in EFL Writing Classes (Abstract and recording)

Date:  3rd December 2021 (7th LAb session)
Theme: Agency and Learner Autonomy

Featured sessions:

  • Mayumi Kashiwa, Kanda University of International Studies, Japan: “SALC is mine!” : Supporting the development of learner agency and construction of language learning environments beyond the classroom (Abstract and recording)
  • Xuesong Andy Gao, The University of New South Wales, Australia: Language learner agency as a pedagogical focus (Abstract and recording)
  • Johnmarshall Reeve, Institute of Positive Psychology and Education at the Australian Catholic University, Australia: Encouraging Autonomy and Agency in a SALC: Three Suggestions (Abstract and recording)

Date:  25th June 2021 (6th LAb session)
Theme: Landmarks in SALC contexts.

Featured sessions:


Date:  28 November 2019 (5th LAb session)
Time: 2-4pm Tokyo time
Theme: Research and learner autonomy
Details: Recordings, slides and abstracts here

Featured speakers: Anne Burns, University of New South Wales, Australia; David Palfreyman, Zayed University, Dubai, UAE

In our fifth LAb session, we will explore ways in which we approach research within the field of learner autonomy. There will be short presentations, including discussions related to approaches to research methodologies, research summaries, work in progress, or ideas about ways in which we implement and investigate learner autonomy in our contexts. We are particularly interested in practice-based research that puts theory to work. 

More details..


Date:  28 June 2019 (4th LAb session)
Time: 3-5pm Tokyo time
Theme: Teacher/advisor education for learner autonomy
Details: Recordings, abstracts, and slides here

Participants:

Katja Heim, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany
Satoko Kato, Kanda University of International Studies, Japan
Sarah Mercer, University of Graz, Austria
Maria Giovanna Tassinari, Freie Universität Berlin
Albert Wong, The University of Hong Kong.
Larissa Dantas Rodrigues Borges, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Brazil.
Phillip Bennett, Kanda University of International Studies, Japan.
Sin Wang Chong, The Education University of Hong Kong.
Quint Oga-Baldwin, Waseda University, Japan
Katarzyna Morena, Uniwersytet Pedagogiczny, Krakow, Poland
Jo Mynard, Kanda University of International Studies, Japan.
Huw Davies, Kanda University of International Studies, Japan.

Session facilitators: Satoko Kato, Jo Mynard, Hayo Reinders, Scott Shelton-Strong, Ward Peeters


Date:  Thursday November 8th, 2018 (3rd LAb session)
Theme: Identity and learner autonomy
Recordings, abstracts and slides here

Participants:

Alice Chik, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
Sin Wang Chong, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Maria de la Paz Adelia Peña Clavel, UNAM, Mexico
Carol Griffiths, AIS, New Zealand
Jacqueline Tiburcio Barwis, Universidad Veracruzana, Veracruz, México
Kie Yamamoto, Kanda University of International Studies, Chiba, Japan


Date: June 4th, 2018 (2nd LAb session)
Theme: Affect and learner autonomy
Recordings and slides here

In our second LAb session, we explored the role of affective factors in the development of learner autonomy.

Christina Gkonou – Featured workshop: Managing emotions for learner autonomy
Kevin Knight – Bright idea: Motivating SALC learning advisors with inspirational leadership and business consulting models
Hisako Yamashita –  Featured presentation: Affect as an “essential resource” in the development of learner autonomy
Sina Takada – Research report: Affect in a study group (peer group)
Neil Curry and Kate Maher – Innovative practice: CBT-based classroom activities for language anxiety
Diana Feick – Research report: Emotions and group autonomy
Dominic Edsall – Research report: A pilot project on teacher negotiation of learner autonomy
Satoko Kato – Innovative practice: Enhancing professional well-being of teachers and advisors through reflective dialogue
Maria de la Paz Adelia Peña Clavel – Book review: Emotions in Second Language Teaching by Juan De Dios Martinez Agudo (Ed.)
Tim Murphey – Featured presentation: The emotional impact of adding social testing components to regular tests and quizzes
Eduardo Castro – Featured presentation: Emotions in advising in language learning

Session facilitators: Satoko Kato, Jo Mynard, Hayo Reinders, Scott Shelton-Strong


Date: November 16th, 2017 (1st LAb session)
Theme: Evaluating autonomous language learning
Recordings and slides here
Featured speakers: Carol J. Everhard, (formerly) Aristotle University, Greece; Maria Giovanna Tassinari, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany; Ellie Law, University of Hong Kong; Paul Moore, University of Queensland, Australia. Read more…
Other speakers: Michael Burke, Huw Davies, Curtis Edlin, Satoko Watkins, Kanda University of International Studies
Moderators: Hayo Reinders, Unitec, New Zealand; Jo Mynard, Kanda University of International Studies, Japan
Host: The Research Institute for Learner Autonomy Education (RILAE), Kanda University of International Studies, Japan. In this first LAb session, we explored ways in which we might identify and evaluate autonomy in language learning, or particular aspects or dimensions of it.

About RILAE