mentioned specific instances of planning, focusing attention, self-management, self-
monitoring and self-evaluation of learning processes, beliefs, identification of barriers
and awareness. Although I am very much aware that what the participants articulated
may not correspond to reality (Ridley; 1997,18), with regards to the way I gathered this
information (through individual and group counselling sessions and group discussions), I
believe that, as Ridley states:
Leamers gain in self-awareness by talking; talking generates self-knowledge;
therefore group discussions can be helpful to the individuals concerned (ibid)
NOTES
1) All the data included in Chapters 6 and 7 was gathered in Spanish for it is evident
that it is easier for the learners to communicate in their mother tongue.
In order for the reader to identify the participants of the Oaxaca/97 project, I have
used their first initial (see p. 125). The initial X refers to some participants that left
the project before it was finished. C stands for myself in the role of counsellor.
2) As it can be noticed, F is referring to a former project in which he also participated. I
will talk about this in section 7.2