Language Lab review

 Language Lab review-

Introduction-

The word ‘laboratory’ originated in the late 15th century. Language learning has its separate requirements like all other subjects. There are four skills to master as Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. The sequence of all these skills is also important. They must be acquired in a sequence for one’s proper development. After the boom in ICT a new chapter in language learning started as language laboratory. The language laboratory plays an important role in the language learning process. As it is a combination of various technological aids which gives many advanced facilities that can help a student to learn a language developing all four skills. It proves that education and technology are best complement of each other. Language lab is a class of English language learning where teaching learning process happens with computers and other technical support. For language learning students individually use a computer which is connected with a server.

History of Language Lab-

The language laboratory is an audio or audio-visual installation used as an aid in modern language teaching. They can be found, amongst other places, in schools, universities and academies. Perhaps the first lab was at the University of Grenoble in 1908. In the 1950s up until the 1990s, they were tape-based systems using reel to reel or (latterly) cassette. Current installations are generally multimedia PCs. The original language labs are now very outdated. They allowed a teacher to listen to and manage student audio via a hard-wired analogue tape deck based systems with 'sound booths' in fixed locations.

Advantages-

There are different features of language lab, which make the students to have interactive sessions. It provides equal opportunity to all the students to hear the instructor irrespective of place where they are seated. It develops the listening and communication skills, and they can learn correct pronunciation also. The language lab brought difference in teaching learning process instead of boring verbal centered teaching.

Disadvantages-

If there is no trained teacher than Language lab becomes useless. It can be engaged in a small classroom rather than huge classroom, as the teacher listens to students randomly the response can be unorganized and ineffective as there are many students to attend to. There should be good power supply in that particular area where the school is situated.