The Self-Access Learning Center at Kanda University of International Studies first opened its doors on June 1st, 2001. It was located in two classrooms in Building 4 (current 4-309 and 4-310). Part of the wall between the two classrooms was knocked down to create one big space. At the time, the SALC was a very new and exciting concept. There was nowhere like it in KUIS, or in other universities across Japan. In this first SALC, there was just one learning advisor and ten students part-time staff.

It was first created with the aim of offering a space where students can go to get additional support outside of classes.

Similar to the current SALC, students were able to borrow books and also watch movies (VHS then) in the SALC. Students were able to choose where in the SALC they used depending on what they wanted to do.

The SALC was so frequently full that the University decided to construct a new building with Media Plaza on the first floor, with the English Lounge and the SALC on the second floor.

The second SALC opened in April 2003 and the variety of educational support offered increased. The SALC space was made up of different spaces that students could choose where to use depending on the type of activities they wanted to work on.

The role of the SALC student staff became even more important, creating a more welcoming and user-friendly environment. We had students joining the SALC team from almost all departments.

One of the new services that started from this time was the “Language Exchange” which is now the Language Practice Partners.

In 2009, the SALC Student Committee (SSC), a predecessor of the current Learning Communities, was formed. The group consisted of 5 students who were regular SALC users, and the group’s purpose was to promote the use of the SALC and its materials to other students from students’ point of view. They helped to organize various events voluntarily with ELI teachers, such as the Halloween Party and the Christmas Party. They also helped to create activities to promote learning within the SALC.

Current SALC: 2017, Building 8

In 2017 a newly designed SALC opened in Building 8 with more focus on creating a learning community than a learning space.

Over the years, we have continued to evolve further and we now aim to create a pro-social learning environment to ensure all students are given equal opportunities to learn and to learn from one another.