Abstract

In order to develop students' language skills it is vital that opportunities to put language to use be expanded beyond the classroom. Within the International Department of Language and Expression at Nagoya Women's University, teachers have cooperated in developing a curriculum that is devoted to fostering independent language learners. In addition, an extra-curricular program has been developed that includes a self-access center with a full-time language learning counsellor, conversation salon, and all-English events. This paper will outline the steps taken to both facilitate learner autonomy and broaden the scope of language learning beyond the classroom.