Devina Krishna/ Jurnal Arbitrer - Vol. 8 No.

1 (2021)

Online version available in : http://arbitrer.fib.unand.ac.id

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Review

Importance of Language Laboratory in Developing

Language Skills
Devina Krishna1
1
Patna Women’s College, Patna, India

Submi ion Track A B S T R A C T

ss
Recieved: December 15, 2020 The present paper deals with the importance of language laboratory
Final Revision: January 12, 2021 in developing language skills. It basically presents how language labs
Available Online: April 25, 2021
are useful in developing the language skills of the learners. Apart from
eyword the classroom lectures that students attend, the practical classes held in
K
Laboratory, Phonetics, multimedia, digital, audio language labs hone their language comprehension. The present paper
conferencing, audio channel, pedagogy discusses the importance of these labs, benefits the receivers receive, and
orre pondence an urgent need for more such labs in academic institutions.
C
s
E-mail: [email protected]

I. INTRODUCTION laboratories. A language laboratory commonly
clipped as ‘lab’ is a part of an institution that deals
Learning process has been aided by the advent with the language learning process’s practical
of quite many types of equipment, and one such aspects. It is a setting with a particular setup and
area is developing language skills. Because of
runs under the supervision of trained language
the information technology that has led to the experts.
emergence of this equipment that has facilitated
the learning process, there has been a production The early literature states that the first language lab
of high-quality teaching resources. The constant was at the University of Grenoble. In the 1950s until
use of audio and video resources, in general, has the 1990s, there were tape-based systems using reel
led to the creation and implementation of learning to reel or cassette, which has been replaced recently
and teaching material in an interactive format that by large multimedia computers. The language lab
adds to learning. is a technological setup created for providing skills
in English. The multimedia-based language lab
Learning is part and parcel of the human learning helps to learn and increase language proficiency by
process. Yet, our understanding of teaching and sharing the course materials.
learning is still imperfect, and the consequences
irregular. Teaching approaches vary from learner In the up-to-date digital age, we are all connected
to learner. Since the beginning of the 20th century, regardless of geographic distance. Advancement
language teachers have been making use of in technology has literally brought the world into
technological aids. Both sound and video are our living room in the form of TV or the internet,
important elements of technology, and teaching allowing us to watch events in other countries or
a language to the learner in the absence of these talk to friends and family living in another continent
elements is unimaginable. Both are integral via the internet. As a result, we are exposed to
components in providing opportunities for different languages, cultures, and traditions of
enhancing the learner’s experience. people worldwide.
Language teaching today helps in developing We are residing in a multilingual and multicultural
learning in the classroom through language world. Language lab provides great assistance to
DOI: https://doi.org/10.25077/ar.8.1.101-106.2021 Under Liscense of Creative Commons Attributioni-NonCommercial 4.0 International.

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students in learning the language of their choices An effective language lab capably and resourcefully
and learning at their swiftness. They can record strengthens the language skills of the learners. It
and gauge their performance to make sure that they is very positive in assessing students’ speech. For
pay attention to phonetics such as pronunciation, example, learners of a language can get a realistic
accents, stress, etc. It is through audio-video aids experience in learning a sound system of language
that the learners of the language learn accurately. in phonetics classes. They can listen to a wide
variety of human speech sounds through software
The training in a language lab differs from the which is not possible in a classroom setting.
traditional classroom training. The students Similarly, complex sounds of different languages
actively participate in language learning exercises can also be heard and learned by language learners.
and undergo training. The practical sessions are In addition to learning articulation, tone of voice,
conducted in the language lab. A good quality stress, and all other phonetics features can be
language laboratory should be made an imperative learned by the learners. The learners of a language
part of an academic institution. Learners of a can record their speech, listen to their recordings
language get a stand for practical training through again, and store it.
these language labs.
There has been a lot of technological support
In a language lab, students are very willing to listen for learning languages, including software like
to the audio files and watch videos. Therefore, there PRAAT, which is a heavy source for studying
is a facility of recording as well as comparison with acoustic properties of the speech of any variety
the innovative material. Communication happens for learners and more so for academicians. It is
in pairs or in groups using objective language. very easy to download PRAAT. If a language lab
Students try innovative things in a lab than in a is equipped with such software, it will enable the
classroom. Audio, video, multimedia, and the students to avail lot of facilities related to speech.
internet collectively provide resources with which
the students respond. For students, attending lab In addition, there are electronic dictionaries
sessions is a retreat from the traditional classroom of pronunciation available now for learning
sessions. They find it an effective and versatile toolpronunciation of words. Daniel Jones ‘English
in providing interactive sessions to the students to Pronouncing Dictionary is now available with
learn the language or swiftly undergo any activity. compact discs for learning accurate pronunciations
of English. The online version of such classic work
A language dealing institution lacking lab facilities is available too in British and American English.
will provide boredom to the learners and deprive The learners can have such word learning exercises
them of real-life language learning situations. in the language lab itself.
Without such labs, the learners will find themselves
being debarred from adding interest and creativity The language labs have become an important part
in their language-enriching process. of the paraphernalia for teaching the language in
institutions related to language. These also provide
A language lab plays a great role in making the coaching classes for standardized language tests
institution’s teaching method successful in a very such as TOEFL, IELTS, and many others. Similarly,
novel way. In addition to audio-visual materials, online courses and paperless examinations can be
there can be study materials production which can conducted through the language laboratory.
be made a central activity among faculty staff.
One can systematize seminars and workshops Students are provided with the technical tools
and various educational software, production to get the best samples of the pronunciation of
techniques, dubbing, etc. Without a doubt, a the language. Learners find a very stimulating
language lab stimulates the language learning experience in acquiring language while sitting
process. It is significant scientific support for in language labs. Language lab has become an
education. Western countries have shown a high integral part in any language learning process for
degree of trend in involving people in language communication. Not only can one language be
laboratories to develop their language learning learned, but more than one language can be learned
process. However, a laboratory for language efficiently. Moreover, the learners learn the best
learning is something novel for Indian learners. samples of any language. This is primarily the

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basic and important task performed in the language A particular class can be divided into several
laboratory. groups. Each member of the group is provided with
a user ID and a password. The students can log in
The material used in the present-day language to the program with the user ID and the password.
labs is very rich. Not only are audio and videos The teacher is also assigned a particular ID and
being played, but also flash-based games and password. One day the teacher instructs a particular
internet facilities are available. It is different from lesson, and the other day the students. The next day,
the traditional language labs, which lacked the the students perform the particular task as a part of
modern facilities at language labs. Besides this, the students’ activity. Similarly, the students listen
the delivery of information from the teacher to to different programs on different themes through
student and student to teacher is faster, and much software.
more engagement is there. Further developments
in language labs are presently noticeable as access Lab is a phenomenal platform to overcome shyness
moves from a fixed network and related Microsoft among students and enhance their speaking skills.
operating systems to online and browsers. Students It serves as a high degree of a motivational factor
can now access these new ‘cloud’ labs from their among the students as it removes one’s fear and
own devices anytime and anywhere. Students avail brings joy within the learning atmosphere. Any
the facility to question and record audio and video motivation brings happiness to people, and
files and be marked and assessed by their teachers language lab is a source of joy among learners.
a little.
The language lab allows the student to listen to
II. BENEFITS the program. A learning environment is created
in a language lab to perform effectively, thereby
A lot of benefits can be acquired by the inclusion encouraging participation in interesting exercises.
of these language laboratories. These include the
following: Nowadays, language labs have evolved to become
much more contemporary and realistic. They can
The machinery of a language laboratory serves fetch English students closer to native-level speech
quite many benefits to both the sender and the and heighten all their language skills by providing
recipients. New information and communication valuable exposure to the language in action. Let
can be accessed quickly and easily with the us take an example of an English language lab.
advent of a lab. In it exists a space where which Basically, it is a place with computers for students
has at disposal the latest technology for language to complete a multiplicity of linguistic activities
learning. Nowadays, digital language labs with fine separately. These activities can include listening
audio quality enable teachers to interact with the exercises, vocabulary work, and fluency building.
whole class simultaneously. These offer students Some programs even allow one to record video
the prospect to enhance their language skills, lessons or audio exercises for students to view and
especially the four LSRW skills that enhance the pay attention to independently.
listening, speaking, reading, and writing aspects
of communication. Genuine language materials While working on their pronunciation, the students
like radio and television programs help students can categorize words into syllables, find tones,
experience the target language in an effective and and stress the words’ location. These are activities
meaningful manner. Moreover, there is a language related to Phonetics other than the rest of the
regulation through the various thoughts created activities that can be performed in English labs.
with the students’ intellect. Students can also listen to conversations, listen to
an audio track, and practice speaking what they
Our present-day generation is connected to the hear. They can also read short stories and complete
World Wide Web to get access to information on audio exercises that accompany them. Thus, a
a comprehensive basis. This leads to immediate variety of activities can be associated with English
access to information worldwide. The content language labs.
of multimedia comprising text, images, sound,
and video involves the language learners in the It was recently in a piece of news that the District
language learning process, no matter whatever is Centre for English at Kozhikode possesses a
the learner’s style. language lab that has the facility to engage 30-35

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teachers to work simultaneously. Here the teachers to meet the global standards in English proficiency
will be trained in communication skills, ways to and gain employability skills. Still, there need to be
handle various software and digital devices. This is more such laboratories in academic institutions to
a praiseworthy step in the enhancement of teachers promote learning with innovation and interest.
in language skills by the management. Learning is
Language labs should exist within the school
a continuous process, and human beings need to
as well as college premises. All students can
improve their knowledge and skills from time to
interact concurrently without disturbing each other
time.
regardless of the group of students and their size.
Now let us discuss the labs operating in parts of Language lab gives a chance to work on individual
UK. In few UK language labs, the teacher can keep needs, which are not dealt with in a traditional
an eye on students’ recordings and interact with classroom setting. It strengthens the learner’s
them individually or collectively through their fundamentals of the language, that is, a language’s
headphones. They can basically chat with them. A grammar and sound system.
conversation can be held with a student over the
These days many academic settings are coming up
audio channel. It may be an individual and subgroup
with labs equipped with software that is designed
of the whole class or the whole class where some
for language labs. Although setting up a language
instructions can be given or so. The teachers can
lab is not an easy job. Finance is a big issue. One
observe a student’s desktop and remote control his/
needs to invest a good amount in setting up a
her mouse and keyboard.
language laboratory. It requires the installation of
A particular kind of language lab known as the computers, software related to language activities,
‘Melissi language lab’ uses analog software that and much more.
provides most of the conventional language lab
functions and integrates video, word-processing, Right from the very beginning, language
laboratories should be made mandatory part of
and other computer applications.
the school and college curriculum. English for
Another kind is the Senako lab, a learning center that example, is a global language. Students should
requires only one computer- the teacher’s property. be made to practice in language labs in schools to
It is meant for the teacher/trainer only. Students hone their pronunciation skills and listening skills.
are equipped with simple to operate user audio Speaking exercises will enable them to master their
panels with high-quality digital sound where they accuracy in pronunciation.
practice listening and speaking using a comparative
recording. They listen to lessons or audio passages, Although there are language labs prevalent in many
record their responses, and then compare original academic setups, there is an urgent requirement
audio files. There are more speaking and listening for such labs in more quantities. We can witness
sessions in this kind of lab. Thus, different labs, no language labs in academic institutions in the
matter what structure they possess, their purpose is present scenario, yet there is a setting of such
labs in more numbers. It is true that language labs
almost the same.
require a variety of interactive equipment and
Thus, a language laboratory is where students resources which need to be maintained properly,
develop practical linguistic and rhetorical skills but the benefits are numerous. Setting up these
through information exchange. It makes the process labs is very expensive and in a country like India
of learning a language and language-related topics there is no syllabus as such and usually language
easier and in an interesting manner undoubtedly. classes are included within theory classes. In terms
of finances, upgrade in the medium of instruction
III. NEED OF LANGUAGE LABORATORIES will be a taxing job for academic institutions.
It is high time that we need language laboratories Therefore, such setups must be introduced in schools
in schools and colleges to promote innovative
and colleges to promote language development
teaching-learning methods and techniques. A major among learners. Classroom knowledge mingled
challenge is that even urban students communicate with practical sessions will serve as a collaborative
in English with their mother tongue influence. Many approach for language learners.
colleges are equipped with language laboratories

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IV. CONCLUSION lab motivates student’s learning attitude, thereby

providing interactive learning surroundings.
A language lab aims to engage students in
overcoming the mother tongue influence and Language lab represents the solo largest investment
developing their communication skills. It is and installment of audio resources in education.
different from a traditional classroom setup. The The computer presently fulfills all the needs of
process of learning becomes more participatory language educators and gives existence to language
and interesting. Language labs and multimedia for many learners. Apart from English, the learners
enables learning to become fun and friendly. of the language can learn quite several languages.
The outline of the lab must be constructive for Today’s modern language labs play an elemental
developing the effective communication skills of role in language learning, in fact, for students
the students. Effective communication skills are who belong to the cell phone generation. Modern
essential in all professional careers, and language language labs play a primary role in grabbing
lab can help acquire this important life skill. students’ concentration and motivating them to
The language lab is a technological break for learn well. Thus, we should be thankful to the
imparting skills in English. It is a breakthrough present technology that has facilitated the language
the conventional teaching method with the rich laboratories’ existence to enhance their language
teaching material contents. The digital language skills with delight and full participation.

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