--- Forwarded Message from Leslie Graul <[log in to unmask]> ---

>Date: Wed, 17 May 2000 15:25:04 -0400
>From: Leslie Graul <[log in to unmask]>
>Organization: Thiel College
>To: Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum     <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: #5657 To drill or not to drill
>References: <[log in to unmask]>

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This issue is of concern to me, since I am in the process of planning a new
facility.  The Sony Soloist (digital) recorder does provide this function.
So does the Divace by Tannberg.   I do not know about ASC, or Can8, but I
would hope that they could do this, too.

Like you, I find the responses interesting.  Although 15% -20% might seem
low, it is really quite favorable if it included all the students enrolled
in foreign languages.  The majority of students take a foreign language
solely in order to fulfill a requirement.  Most of these non majors will do
only what is required to get the grade they expect to receive. They could
care less about how well they pronounce the language.  So first we should
ask how many instructors require lab work of this nature?  Do they check to
see whether the students have done this?  What percentage of the grade does
it represent?  Do the instructors encourage this kind of work as
enthusiastically as they do other things?  Do they take their students to
the lab for oral/aural activities?  Would they like to be able to work with
their students in this way?  Most instructors expect improved pronunciation
(and quick, accurate responses) after the first year of language study.  But
what percentage of the students are still taking the language at the higher
levels?

If one were trying to decide whether the drill capability is an essential
element in a new lab, he should consider all the needs, current and
potential, of his institution.  Are there foreign language majors at the
school?  Are you training future foreign language teachers?  How long do you
expect the new lab to exist?  Does your current faculty consider
pronunciation important?  How near retirement is your current faculty?





LLTI-Editor wrote:

> --- Forwarded Message from "David Pankratz" <[log in to unmask]> ---
>
> >Date: Wed, 10 May 2000 10:38:41 -0500
> >From: "David Pankratz" <[log in to unmask]>
> >To: [log in to unmask]
> >Subject: To drill or not to drill
>
> I recently conducted a small, informal survey of lab users asking them
> if they use the "drill" function on our cassette machines or not, and
> if so, how useful they find it. (The "drill" function allows them to
> record their voices as they listen to the tape, enabling them to
> replay the passages and compare their recordings to the native
> speaker.)
>
>  My quick impression as I look over the results is that about 15-20%
> of those who filled out our questionnaire do use this feature _and_
> find it beneficial. I intend to write up a complete summary of the
> results. In the meantime, I would like to ask if have any of you have
> done a similar survey, or do you know of any published studies on this
> topic? I often hear lab directors say something like "most students do
> not really use this function on our lab cassette machines." I find
> this issue very interesting and respecially relevant in light of the
> shift to digital delivery of listening materials, which to my
> knowledge does not provide the option--at least not yet--for students
> to "listen, record, and compare."
>
> Any observations you have or leads on studies would be appreciated.
>
> David Pankratz
> Loyola University Chicago