Although self-access learning/autonomous learning has become more and more popular in the language teaching/learning field, the general attitude towards the application of self-access learning is still rather mixed. Dickinson (1987: 11) defines self-access learning as learners using materials in a self-instructed way to facilitate learning as "the term is neutral as to how self-directed or other-directed the learners are". Jones (1995) and Pemberton (1996) share a similar belief with Dickinson, believing that self-access learning takes place where materials/facilities are organised in order to facilitate learning. This learning may range from self-directed to teacher-directed. Though its applications may vary, the ultimate goal is the same -- facilitating autonomous learning.
Sheerin (1989) perceives the primary aim of self-access learning as to "enable learning to take place independently of teaching" and learners can ultimately direct their own learning through the use of the self-access facilities. Sheerin (op. cit.) puts more emphasis on learner-directed learning rather than other-directed learning in the self-access approach. Benson (1994: 10) holds similar ideas as Sheerin's, for him, self-access/autonomous learning "implies that learners study under their own direction rather than under the direction of another". Benson (1996) describes self-access learning as dealing with the relationship between the self-access system and autonomy in learning which means learners organising the self-access learning resources and environments to interact with the process of their own learning. Despite the variations in defining self-access learning, all the above educators acknowledge the important role that a learner plays in the language acquisition process in the self-access approach of learning and emphasise the promotion of autonomous learning in each individual through taking responsibility for his/her own learning.
As suggested from the above, self-access learning provides learners with more choices and flexibility and then they make decisions for their own learning. Seen in this light, learners have every right to choose to be assisted by others (e.g. tutors) to help them to learn (Dickinson, 1987). As long as it is the choice of a learner, it is self-access/autonomous learning. However, there is not enough evidence/research to suggest that other-directed/tutor-directed learning is acceptable in the self-access system.