About this ebook
What motivates student staff members (SSMs) who work in self-access centres (SACs)? Pulling Back the Curtain in Self-Access takes readers inside these unique learning spaces in Japanese universities to explore this question through vivid personal narratives. Drawing on interviews and narrative inquiry, Christopher Phelps examines what drives SSMs to begin and sustain their roles, whether it’s the desire to help others, develop language skills, or build meaningful social connections. By situating these stories within the framework of Self-Determination Theory, the book illuminates how autonomy, competence, and relatedness shape students’ motivation and well-being.
More than a research study, this is a deeply human exploration of learning, teaching, and belonging. Combining rich storytelling with practical insights, the book bridges theory and practice for educators, advisors, and administrators who wish to nurture motivation in student staff and create more autonomy-supportive self-access environments. The concluding chapters offer concrete strategies for recruitment, training, and development—transforming everyday SAC experiences into spaces of growth and collaboration.
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About the author
Christopher Phelps is a Specially Appointed Lecturer working at the Language Learning Center (LLC) at Osaka Institute of Technology. He started teaching in Japan in 2010 at an English conversation school, but has since gone on to teach at almost every level, including at pre-school, primary and secondary educational contexts, and in business English classes. Since 2020, he has been involved in self-access language learning and has worked in three self-access centres. He holds an MA TESOL from the University of Birmingham. His research interests include self-access language learning, learner autonomy, and student staff motivation and well-being.
