Hello friends,
As we know, language is a medium of communication. Language is a vital part of human connection. Although all species have their ways of communicating, humans are the only ones that have mastered cognitive language communication. Language allows us to share our ideas, thoughts, and feelings with others. It has the power to build societies, but also tear them down.The many cognitive benefits of learning languages are undeniable. Additionally, people who speak more than one language have improved memory, problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, enhanced concentration, ability to multitask, and better listening skills.
What is a Language Laboratory?
The Language Laboratories are becoming better and better valued within educational institutions since the functions and possibilities they offer are much higher than the ones in the traditional teaching-learning system.
Moreover it is necessary to distinguish between language laboratory, language method and control software. A method in a procedural that guides teachers when, in turn, control software is a computer program that is used to control students' computers and to know what they are doing at all times. Instead, a language lab goes beyond, a language lab can integrate the method we want to use allowing further development of a large number of different activities in the classroom, the communication between teachers and students, using multimedia material, etc. taking into account at the same time the functions of control software.
Which are the components of a modern language laboratory?
A modern Language Lab consists of various elements that form a multifunctional environment that uses the latest technology for education. Among the components of language laboratories we find:
Furniture. Language laboratories should have a specific and robust furniture that is capable of securely hold all the elements that are part of that laboratory.
Computers. The computers are a very important part in the language lab.
Technology. A language laboratory has a specific technology that enables the interconnection, interaction and communication between the different positions that make up the lab.
Headset. They should be designed to facilitate communication between the people who use the lab for the different activities that take place in it can be carried out successfully.
Why should one use a language laboratory?
A language lab creates a learning environment much more effective than traditional classrooms enhancing the capabilities of students and allowing a high degree of immersion and attention to diversity.
A language laboratory encourages the participation and integration of the students in the different exercises and this is reflected, for example, in the time it takes for students to speak in another language during class. In addition, the use of the language lab allows students to have access to the information quickly and easily by developing many types of classroom exercises, personalizing the learning process, encouraging creativity, innovation and training . Language laboratories also favor a high degree of skill development, team and collaborative work eliminating socio-temporal barriers since information is not found in a particular and specific place and at the same time, they foster digital literacy responding to new educational and social needs.
(1)Give five advantages of language learning software with reference to your review and experience:
While attending ELT-2 classes, we discussed language learning labs. We also talked about the modern language lab. We are introduced to language learning software at the Department of English, MKBU.
It helps to get much deeper insight into English Language
Language labs allow for diversity in the classroom
Student can learn much faster in language lab as compare to traditional classroom as it provides audio-visual learning experience
Teacher’s role becomes more important in language laboratory
Assess and improve the speech in English through the self help features.
(2)Give five disadvantages of language learning software with reference to your review and experience:
No doubt Language Learning in the lab with the help of software brings better response and immediate answer. It requires physical presence only. If we want to start a language lab in a small region it would be very difficult as it requires lots of money and high electricity power. Even where there are lots of power failures, there would also be lots of trouble in running labs.
Key challenges and problem facing at language learning lab:
The language lab would not let the English teaching-learning process be effective if there are some troubles with the technology. Worse even, it becomes useless when the electricity is off.
As technology changes rapidly, there should be a provision for upgrade in the medium of instructions, which can be burden for school in terms of finances. Even the software which we introduced was running in Windows XP, which itself is outdated.
The language laboratory needs a qualified teacher to be able to activate all the technology provided in it. Even in the absence of teacher, it becomes a bit problematic to operate.
English language has to employ technicians who would keep the equipment in the language laboratory always in a high-quality conditions.
These days students do not have enough patience to listen to pronunciation and practice, so the recording of pronunciation is useless. So, to improve listening and speaking one student need to have some kind of other techniques which can be used to improve language skills.
If there are more students than the number of computers then it becomes difficult to schedule class and teacher has to instruct same things repeatedly which demands waste of same strength.
(3)List at least five things (related to language skills) you think can be learnt from this lang lab programme
A teacher can learn how to organize tasks for students
It brings easy comprehension
Language Proficiency (speaking and English)
Native pronounciation
Anything can be learnt by practicing again and again
(4)Give five new words (vocabulary or pronunciation) you learnt while reviewing the software
(5) Compare mobile app language lab with language lab programme in DELL. Write at least 3 points on 'similarities' and 3 points on 'dissimilarity'. Also write about the 'user-friendliness' of both platforms. You can also philosophise the advantage one has over the other and vice-versa.
Mobile app language lab programme in DELL and Language Learning software in DELL both are used to learn language skill. If we talk about ‘user-friendliness’ among both then learning language through software is much user -friendly. It doesn’t mean that mobile app language learning programs are not user friendly.
Similarities:
Both helps to improve language skill
Pays individual attention to each learner
Teacher can instruct during both's learning process
Dissimilarities:
Language learning through Software in lab is user friendly whereas
Mobile app learning is movable whereas las is static
Teacher can instruct in both but cannot monitor directly in Mobile learning app
(6)Would you like to say anything else . . .
Language labs allow students to practice the language with a much wider variety of activities and exercises based on the computer. Learning occurs in a structured way, in a real context and visually attractive way that immerses the student in the language learning environment and promotes language use. Language learning is not the same as learning any other subject. It is not confined to writing an examination and getting a degree or award. The four skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking have to be practiced. Being able to communicate well is the most important factor when seeking a placement in a company or institution. Communication involves one’s ability to listen carefully so as to grasp the meaning and to respond in turn with apt words and clarity of pronunciation.
Scientific advancements have produced a number of innovative products to assist the learning process. Innovative products such as digital multimedia control, wireless headsets and microphones, the interactive response pad, etc. are very useful for students learning languages for communication. These interactive tools are designed to enhance not only language teaching but also class room grading and distance learning.
Thank you.
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