--- Forwarded Message from "de Arana, Juan-Ramon" <[log in to unmask]> ---
>From: "de Arana, Juan-Ramon" <[log in to unmask]>
>To: "'LLTI-List'" <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Language Lab Rationale-Seeking Advice
>Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 22:50:37 -0400
Hello, everyone,
Our Language Lab has been inactive for a few months now, and we, in our
Modern Language Department, are trying to find a way to rebuild it and put
it back on business. However, our institution waits for our initiative
before committing to any specific renovation or dollar amount. In other
words, we need to find convincing arguments to present to the College, make
them see the importance of investing in remodeling and maintaining a
language lab.
I am seeking guidance in building a sound, convincing argument to present to
our institution. Specifically, I was wondering if any of you could point me
to some publications or research about the academic or similar impact of
having / not having a language lab in Departments teaching foreign
languages.
We are a campus of some 1,500 students and have a language requirement of
one year. We currently offer Spanish, French, Japanese, Italian, but there
seems to be interest in adding Chinese in the future. We also have a laptop
program for our students and faculty (every freshman will receive a laptop
upon starting the academic year); we are moving slowly but steadily towards
wireless solutions, and we complement much of our instruction with
Blackboard.
Intuitively, I do know that a new, exciting language lab with reliable
hardware and software will increase our students' performance, but I would
like to find more objective data or recommendations that I can incorporate
in our rationale for our College.
Any advice on this matter will be greatly appreciated. If you so desire it,
please contact me off the list.
I thank you beforehand for your time in this matter,
Juan-Ramon
--
Juan-Ramon de Arana
Modern Language Department
Ursinus College
601 E. Main Street
Collegeville, PA 19426
(610) 409-3000 x2529
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
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