What motivates student staff members (SSMs) who work in self-access learning centers at universities in Japan? Pulling Back the Curtain in Self-Access: Stories of Student Staff Member Motivation by Christopher Phelps takes readers behind the scenes of these unique educational environments, exploring what drives students to take on roles that blend learning, teaching, and leadership.

Drawing on narrative inquiry and framed through Self-Determination Theory, the book reveals the powerful role of autonomy, competence, and relatedness in sustaining motivation and personal growth. Through rich, first-hand stories, readers discover how student staff navigate challenges, support peers, and develop skills that go far beyond language learning.

The volume also offers valuable insights for educators, advisors, and administrators who wish to create more autonomy-supportive environments in higher education. It bridges research and practice, showing how reflective spaces like self-access centers can nurture confidence, agency, and a sense of belonging among students.

Pulling Back the Curtain in Self-Access is both a research study and an inspiring collection of human stories — a must-read for anyone interested in learner autonomy, language advising, and the transformative power of student engagement.

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