Language Lab Review

Hello readers,

This blog is a part of my classroom activity on Language lab software. 
   
To show worksheet of given task click here.

                                 
                                              

What is a language lab?        

  

Modern language labs are known by many names, digital language lab, multimedia language lab, language media center and multimedia learning center to name but a few. View the video and read the text below to learn more.

Language Lab means, "A classroom in which students learning a foreign language can practice sound and word patterns individually or under supervision with the aid of audio equipment"

                                       

                           

History of the language laboratory:

The middle of the 20^th century was an exciting time for foreign language study in the United States. During World War II, the army created the Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP) to provide education to officers with strategic wartime skills, including foreign language proficiency. Following the scholarly opinion among linguists of the day, who believed that language was acquired through habit, the ASTP taught language primarily through oral drills. As the ASTP spread to institutions of higher education throughout the country, the army developed audio discs in dozens of languages. (Kitao)

                                               

The word ‘laboratory’ originated in the late 15^th century. It refers to a specific structure or a room for mixing chemicals and preparing medicines by science experts. Scientists used to follow structured steps to perform their experiments and research purpose. Through the Language lab we are being four skills master and that are the Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. Language laboratory also played an important role in the language learning process. Language lab is a class of English language learning where teaching learning process happens computers and other technical support. For language learning students individually use a computer which is connected with a server. 

Advantages of language lab:

            There are many advantages of the language lab, that are… 

1)A Language lab is more practical.

2) Student learn much faster in the language lab software

3) Use of more resources and varied activities than in the traditional classroom.

4) Language lab allow for diversity in the classroom

5) Lab foster communication in the classroom

6) Able to test listening and speaking skill.

7) It helped to learn LSRW skill in a batter way.

8) With the help of  language lab we develop our proper pronunciation.

9) Vocabulary development

10) Tenses, active – passive and module auxiliaries can be improved with right structure of sentences. 

Disadvantages of language lab

1)Students did not have enough time in quarter system

2) Students need to study reading most.

3) Student heard many noise in the earphones so sometime student get bored in Learning language.

4) Without the Language lab student also increased the batter grade.

5) It is become little bit boring because it tack more time when some  software do not support properly.

Past, present, future of language laboratory:

Past:

In 1950s, language laboratories were established to provide language training with advanced technology for language learners. In early history, phonographs, (a kind of record player) was used to record sound and became a tool for teaching foreign languages in the nineteenth century. The first of them was established at the University of Grenoble in 1908. There were many innovations developed in this period that are includes the transistor portable radio in 1954, the stereo LP in 1958, the compact audio-cassette, the first home Sony video tape recorder in 1963, and Dolby Noise Reduction in 1968. This all invention become most important to learn Language laboratory very effectfully.

Present:

Since 1950s, language laboratories have been developed. The old-style language labs that a teacher arranged the listening practice allowed with a hard-wired analogue tape deck based systems with 'sound booths' in fixed locations that are become outdated. During 2001-2007, portable music players became a great achievement of language laboratories. At that time language learning through podcast became more significant. It is similar to listening to radio or watching a TV show. In a language classroom, students can be both learners and also producers. A teacher can simply record his/her teaching and upload. Those who miss that class or want to review the lecture can download the lecture podcasts for later listening on their computers or mobile devices. MP3s players are now available at low prices while PCS, laptops, tablets or smart mobile phones are common devices usually owned by most students. When podcasts are made available on the Internet, the teacher can direct their learners to them for self-study purposes or even use them for listening in class via a computer.

Future:

In future language learning happen with the electronic media or e-media. e-Learning will undoubtedly be with EFL management, it is very difficult to say what the labs in the future EFL classes will be like. In fact the question is whether language laboratories will exist. Observing the trend, media in EFL learning can be supported and delivered with digital technology rather than from physical language labs. 

Thank You

Works Cited

BARRUTIA, RICHARD. THE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF LANGUAGE LABORATORIES. n.d. 21 February 2018. <http://www.jstor.org/stable/338842 .>.

Khampusaen, Dararat. "Past, Present and Future: From Traditional Language Laboratories to Digital Language Laboratories and Multimedia ICT Suites." n.d. 21 February 2018. <http://www.ijcim.th.org/SpecialEditions/v21nSP2/02_08_14E_Dararat.pdf>.

Kitao, Kenji. The History of Language Laboratories Origin and establishment. n.d. 21 February 2018. <https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED381020>.

Roby, Warren B. TECHNOLOGY IN THE SERVICE OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEARNING: THE CASE OF THE LANGUAGE LABORATORY. n.d. 21 February 2018. <https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/ebc8/687dde1b89deaf01cc53de2084de54ebc2db.pdf>.