Pulling Back the Curtain in Self-Access: Stories of Student Staff Member Motivation
Christopher Phelps
(Autonomous Language Learning Series)

Release date: November 20, 2025. Now available for pre-order.
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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.

Endorsements

"A beautiful discussion on the motivation of student helpers at self-access centres in a variety of demographic and geographic environments. Essential reading for anyone involved with SACs, or looking to develop a SAC, to enhance the experiences of their staff members and students." 
Adrian Leis, Tohoku Gakuin University, Sendai, Japan
"In this fascinating and heartfelt book, Phelps invites readers into the world of student staff members (SSMs) at Japanese universities. Drawing on rich personal narratives and grounded in self-determination theory, the book explores what drives SSMs to engage deeply in their roles, from a desire to help others to developing competence and belonging in a community of learners."
Jo Mynard, Kanda University of International Studies, Chiba, Japan

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.

Contents

Preliminaries
  • Preface: The Author’s Journey Into Language Learning and Self-Access Education
  • Chapter 1: Introduction

​Section 1: Background and Theoretical Concepts
  • Chapter 2: Key Concepts: Motivation, Self-Determination Theory, and Learner Autonomy
  • Chapter 3: What Do We Know About Student Staff Member Motivation?
  • Chapter 4: Narrative Inquiry - The What and the Why

Section 2: Investigation and Analysis
  • Chapter 5: Student Staff Member Stories
  • Chapter 6: Student Staff Member Motivation: Insights From the Narratives
  • Chapter 7: Looking Abroad: Outside of SACs and Japan

Section 3: Practical Applications
  • Chapter 8: Student Staff Member motivation: From Narratives to Nurturing
  • Chapter 9: Final Reflections
 
  • References

Publication details

Publication date: November 2025
Series: Autonomous Language Learning
ISBN (Print): 9798273714656
ISBN (ebook): 9798232218621
DOI: ​https://doi.org/10.47908/39