Learning environments in university language centres: Transferring support to learners

Abstract

The study reported in this article was conducted in 2009–2010 at the University of Helsinki Language Centre. Its purpose was to produce new information on the use of learning environments, specifically in a university language centre. Data collected from student questionnaires were analysed and interpreted. The study reveals that the central function of learning environments is to transfer available support to learners during their goal-oriented study. Further, it is argued that all support should be aligned with the intended learning goals, and that learning environments should be designed and used in a manner that recognises their different ways of transferring support to learners. The study serves a didactic purpose by offering research-based data for the development of teaching, and also functions as “pilot research” for further methodical development. The aim of the study was to investigate the learning process from the learners' point of view. The results are presented as a model offering a means for planning an aligned teaching and learning process in which different environments are used in an effective way.