The potential of self-access language centres in fostering lifelong global citizenship: towards a community of practice approach

Purpose – Drawing primarily on the Japanese context, this study aims to highlight this setting to emphasise the potential for tertiary-level self-access language centres to develop lifelong global citizenship, self-reflection and cross-cultural collaboration. Design/methodology/approach – This inqui...

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Main Authors: Michael D. Smith, Ran Niboshi, Christopher Samuell, Simon F.N. Timms
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Emerald Publishing 2024-12-01
Series:Quality Education for All
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/QEA-12-2023-0026/full/pdf
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author Michael D. Smith
Ran Niboshi
Christopher Samuell
Simon F.N. Timms
author_facet Michael D. Smith
Ran Niboshi
Christopher Samuell
Simon F.N. Timms
author_sort Michael D. Smith
collection DOAJ
description Purpose – Drawing primarily on the Japanese context, this study aims to highlight this setting to emphasise the potential for tertiary-level self-access language centres to develop lifelong global citizenship, self-reflection and cross-cultural collaboration. Design/methodology/approach – This inquiry calls on the community of practice approach to account for the shared interests motivating lifelong cross-cultural participation, the quality of social engagement between actors, and the material and cognitive tools called upon to realise global citizenship’s shared enterprise. Findings – As argued here, embracing various cultures and inclusive participation can lead to a broader understanding of global citizenship, avoiding narrow-minded views of globalism through shared knowledge and critical practices. Further, self-access provides a cost-effective, technology-mediated alternative to bilateral student mobility, whereby digital community-building occasions cross-cultural practice that may be extended throughout a learner’s life, irrespective of their financial status or place of study. Originality/value – This study is one of a select few drawing on the community of practice framework within the context of lifelong global citizenship. Nevertheless, such an approach remains primed for future development. With a social constructivist philosophy in view, the authors suggest complementary qualitative research approaches that highlight the socially situated nature of both disciplines.
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spelling doaj-art-36de945b51714fb2a6e8b0290e4130d82025-02-03T14:29:25ZengEmerald PublishingQuality Education for All2976-93102024-12-0112214010.1108/QEA-12-2023-0026The potential of self-access language centres in fostering lifelong global citizenship: towards a community of practice approachMichael D. Smith0Ran Niboshi1Christopher Samuell2Simon F.N. Timms3Graduate School of Intercultural Studies, Kobe University, Kobe, JapanCentre for General Education, Kyoto Sangyo University, Kyoto, Japan and College of Sport and Health Science, Ritsumeikan University, Kyoto, JapanDepartment of International Communication, Hannan University, Osaka, Japan and Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Kyoto, JapanCenter for General Education, Kyoto Sangyo University, Kyoto, JapanPurpose – Drawing primarily on the Japanese context, this study aims to highlight this setting to emphasise the potential for tertiary-level self-access language centres to develop lifelong global citizenship, self-reflection and cross-cultural collaboration. Design/methodology/approach – This inquiry calls on the community of practice approach to account for the shared interests motivating lifelong cross-cultural participation, the quality of social engagement between actors, and the material and cognitive tools called upon to realise global citizenship’s shared enterprise. Findings – As argued here, embracing various cultures and inclusive participation can lead to a broader understanding of global citizenship, avoiding narrow-minded views of globalism through shared knowledge and critical practices. Further, self-access provides a cost-effective, technology-mediated alternative to bilateral student mobility, whereby digital community-building occasions cross-cultural practice that may be extended throughout a learner’s life, irrespective of their financial status or place of study. Originality/value – This study is one of a select few drawing on the community of practice framework within the context of lifelong global citizenship. Nevertheless, such an approach remains primed for future development. With a social constructivist philosophy in view, the authors suggest complementary qualitative research approaches that highlight the socially situated nature of both disciplines.https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/QEA-12-2023-0026/full/pdfSelf-access learningCommunities of practiceGlobalisationJapan
spellingShingle Michael D. Smith
Ran Niboshi
Christopher Samuell
Simon F.N. Timms
The potential of self-access language centres in fostering lifelong global citizenship: towards a community of practice approach
Quality Education for All
Self-access learning
Communities of practice
Globalisation
Japan
title The potential of self-access language centres in fostering lifelong global citizenship: towards a community of practice approach
title_full The potential of self-access language centres in fostering lifelong global citizenship: towards a community of practice approach
title_fullStr The potential of self-access language centres in fostering lifelong global citizenship: towards a community of practice approach
title_full_unstemmed The potential of self-access language centres in fostering lifelong global citizenship: towards a community of practice approach
title_short The potential of self-access language centres in fostering lifelong global citizenship: towards a community of practice approach
title_sort potential of self access language centres in fostering lifelong global citizenship towards a community of practice approach
topic Self-access learning
Communities of practice
Globalisation
Japan
url https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/QEA-12-2023-0026/full/pdf
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