SLA RESEARCH ON SELF-DIRECTION: THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL ISSUES

Fig. 7.7 The discussion sessions (DS)

There were two purposes underlying these sessions. First, I expected to get an
overall idea of the belief systems of the participants in relation to the concepts that are
related to self-direction. The data from their sessions constituted the main source to
develop the discussion of the previous chapter.

Second, I believe that open discussions enhance awareness of one’s own beliefs
and attitudes. Although I did not research this area, I think that it deserves further
attention. This is mainly because I discovered that the group discussions add
cohesiveness to a working group, which results in better activities and individual
motivation.

The results from the discussion groups have already been discussed in Chapter 6.
Here, I would like just to add a reflection about my role in them. When I had to describe
the way I worked in the group discussions, I saw my role as one of observer who was
only taking notes and whose participation was limited to elicit information from the
participants. However, when I listened to the recorded tapes, I discovered that, although
my intention was that, I did not limit myself to that role. I certainly participated in the
discussions at two different levels. At a surface level, I led the argument and I gave my
opinion. When leading the argument, I started the discussion with a opening general and
third person point of view, I invited them to participate, I posed questions to specific
people, I paraphrased and synthesised their comments, I confronted contrary views, I
summarised and gave an end to the session. Surprisingly, I realised that I also gave my
own personal opinion. At a deeper level I had a hidden agenda. I wanted them to say
certain things, I wanted them to realise other things, and I wanted them to consider my
own point of view. In section 7.3, I will specifically analyse an extract from my
participation in the discussion group sessions and the beliefs that are behind it.

As a way of a summary, Fig. 7.8 gives a synthesis of the type of sessions that
were carried in the Oaxaca /97 project and their corresponding objectives.

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