Introducing the concept of ‘backward mapping’, an alternative way of understanding the relationship between policy and practice, this article begins by identifying the qualities needed by effective adult language learners in the ever-changing world of the 21st century, where new learning modes (self-access, distance learning) are rapidly increasing and requiring high levels of autonomy on the part of the learner, and where throughout their lives adults will need to learn new languages for a wide range of purposes. Having described this context, the article moves ‘backwards’ in order to identify the implications of this for planning at the level of higher education, and then moves even further backwards in order to consider how adult learners’ needs, in terms of knowledge, skills and attitudes, may be prepared for whilst they are still young learners at school. The article draws mainly on two pieces of research: one was an international research project investigating the pedagogical and methodological implications of e-learning in languages within the higher education context; the other was a study of young language learners’ metacognitive knowledge and beliefs about learning in an English school.

If you could not make it to the language conferences that CELE-UNAM organized in August last year, this DVD release will help you to keep up-dated with two of the top issues covered: learner autonomy and the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in language learning.
This DVD encompasses all the related material presented by the plenary and invited speakers at the 6o. Encuentro Nacional e Internacional de Centros de Autoacceso de Lenguas. “La autonomía del aprendiente: escenarios posibles” and at the 12º Encuentro Nacional de Profesores de Lenguas. “Evolución y Diversidad en la enseñanza-aprendizaje de lenguas extranjeras”
And if you did come to the conferences this visual and audio presentation of the information will be a powerful reinforcement of the concepts that were reviewed.
Also included on this disc is a video of the 6th self-access centers conference.

What you get