What is a Language Lab?

The language laboratory is an audio-visual installation used as an aid in modern language

teaching. It was first setup in France, at the University of Grenoble in 1908. It is a scientifically
proven methodology for acquiring proficiency especially in foreign languages at schools
universities and institutions of learning. From the 1950s up until the 1990s, they were
analogue and primarily, audio tape-based systems using reel to reel or (latterly) cassettes.

Today, these are IT-enabled or software-driven and state-of-the-art digitized systems that run
on a network of multimedia PCs, fully-controlled and monitored by a teacher at all times. This
makes the process of acquiring fluency in a foreign language a much-needed impetus through
flexibility and modularity and user-centric approach that is not only enjoyable for the learners
but is also 100% effective from a teacher's perspective as it perfectly complements everyday
classroom sessions, seamlessly.

The right process of acquiring proficiency in a language is the way we learn our mother
tongue. This occurs through the four fundamental steps of Listening, Speaking, Reading and
then finally, Writing or the LSRW language learning technique.

Listening: Our process of listening begins while still in the mother's womb continuing
through our birthday and early formative years where our brain is hammered with constant
sounds and usages of our native tongue.

Language Lab Advantage 1

This most important first-step to acquiring proficiency in a foreign language is continuously

possible through a language lab where we are listening to native speaker(s), unlike in a typical
classroom setting where the listening process is minimal and the teacher is a non-native
speaker of the language.

Speaking: We begin to speak our native language slowly but surely right from approximately
12 months onwards flawlessly and our vocabulary grows in leaps and bounds in tandem with
our biological growth. Once again, this occurs without any formal training as we mentally train
ourselves to mimic the speakers around us.

Language Lab Advantage 2

After repeatedly listening to native sounds and intonations, we also start to mimic them and
we can compare ourselves to the native speaker in absolute privacy, without fearing ridicule
or comments from peers and/or teachers, when beginning to speak using a language lab

Reading: We begin to read, usually at school, which is good. But in a classroom setting,
instead of beginning to read in a foreign language after continuous listening and speaking, we
often start reading blindly aping the teacher, a non-native speaker and also without any
phonetic help to read flawlessly.
Language Lab Advantage 3

Facilities to do role play and do reading exercises while comparing ourselves to native
speakers go a long way in helping us to read effortlessly with zero non-native speaker
influence and in privacy

Writing: This is again something we start doing usually when we start school, where
especially when being taught a foreign language we are first taught to write the alphabets of
that language, then read it out aloud after listening to the non-native teacher reading and
explaining the language – that is, almost a reversal of the LSRW methodology which is the
fundamental steppingstone to acquiring language skills.

Language Lab Advantage 4

When using the modern language lab to attain proficiency in a foreign language, our process
of learning is in the proven LSRW methodology and this gives us an added advantage in
improving our writing skills phenomenally, especially when guided by a mentor who is
assigning us appropriate levels of learning material as we progress through our lessons.

Teacher Benefits

In a typical classroom of say, 40 students, the comprehension levels of students vary

drastically, especially in language classes, depending on the students' social background and
upbringing. For instance, a student who has done his/her early schooling overseas where
English was the native language may not require as much help as a student who learned the
language in a rural primary school setting but is in the same high school classroom.

1. The teacher can assign individual lessons according to student needs in groups and/or
individually, without holding-up the entire class, as well as monitor student progress
personally, while bringing them up to speed with the rest of the class effortlessly and in
absolute privacy.

2. Teachers can monitor incognito, control, deliver, group, display, review as well as assign
lessons, check & give feedback in real-time and assign web based multimedia content.

3. It provides equal opportunity to all the students to hear the instructor irrespective of place
where they are seated. There will be less miscommunication because of direct nature of the
sound transmission. It also provides the privacy that encourages the shy students to speak
without any hesitation.

4. Efficient use of time and learning efficiency is much more than usual classroom learning.
This set up fosters more interactive session between students and teacher. The language lab
brings variety to the teaching and learning process far removed from the boring verbal-
centric classroom methodology. The teacher can easily provide feedback based on individual
student pace and ability.
5. With the Lesson Maker function of the lab, the teacher can develop his/her customized
content for the class. Appropriated learning materials can also be effortlessly downloaded
from resources such as the internet and soft encyclopedias and books and assigned to
students instantly.

Student Benefits

Students are often shy and inhibited in a typical classroom setting and hesitate to ask for
clarifications from the teacher or even express himself/herself accurately. The language lab
opens up a whole new world for the student where the sessions are interestingly absorbing
while permitting them to learn at their own rate.

1. Communicate with the teacher anytime in absolute privacy without having to raise his/her
hand drawing the attention of the entire class each time they need help.

2. It develops the listening and communication skills, since students hear correct
pronunciation through their headphones from native speakers. Students are motivated to talk
freely and uninhibitedly with their peers and elders. There is more excitement and enthusiasm
for the learning process.

3. User-friendly and fun to use, this set up fosters more interactive session between students
and teacher. Focus and attention on the subject is substantially increased resulting in better
retention and understanding language nuances.

4. Instant exercise results and graphical comparisons of speech make the learning process
enjoyable, fun and captivating while helping grow their understanding of foreign cultures and
traditions as apparent as visiting those nations.

5. The primary form of linguistic communication is speech and so listening is the most
important receptive (and learning) skill for foreign language students. An ability to listen and
interpret many shades of meaning from what is heard, is a fundamental communicative
ability.
Management Benefits

Presumably, institutional managements are always working towards bettering the capabilities
of their wards. Very often, managements seem to have spent substantially on expensive
hardware without the appropriate software to make them effective tools for learning. Almost
all institutions have an audio-video lab and some also have the so-called Smart Class. But in
reality, how effective are they in helping your students pass out not only as better human
beings but also as pillars of our communities and the society?

1. The language lab is truly cost-effective as it easily runs on any network of computers, which
means it can be installed right away on any existing network of computers.

2. Fully equipped with a vast database of 100% complimentary learning resources to which
any multimedia content as the teacher deems appropriate can be added.

3. The software license is perpetual, which means it is a lifetime license and requires only a
minimal one-time investment. It offers fantastic value-for-money.

4. Training at the time of free installation and delivery is also free as well as 24/7 after-sales
support, which is also 100% free in the first year of installation. Reasonable AMC packages
can be opted to for the subsequent years.

5. It enhances the communication skills of your students making them instantly more
attractive to potential campus recruiters which in turn enhances the institutional image many
fold.