Understanding a social space for language learning

This chapter presents a thematic content analysis of sixteen narratives by administrators, teachers and students in which they write about their experiences in a social space for language learning at a Japanese university. Drawing on complex dynamic systems theory as well as theories of space and place, the authors explore the affordances for language learning and personal development available in this environment, the theoretical implications for out-of-class learning and insights pertaining to the development and management of such facilities. The authors conclude by presenting a conceptual model for social learning spaces and suggesting directions for future research.