--- Forwarded Message from Daniel Tom <[log in to unmask]> --- >Date: Wed, 17 May 2000 12:47:58 -1000 >From: Daniel Tom <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Re: #5657.8 To drill or not to drill (fwd) >To: [log in to unmask] I'm forwarding a response from one of our ESL instructors to the "drill or not to drill" discussion. Daniel Tom Language Telecommunications, Resource & Learning Center University of Hawaii E-mail: [log in to unmask] FAX: 808-956-5134 Voice: 808-956-5118 ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Wed, 17 May 2000 10:58:23 -1000 From: Elizabeth Ruze <[log in to unmask]> To: Daniel Tom <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: #5657.8 To drill or not to drill (fwd) Dear Dan, Just want to add my two cents as a classroom teacher. Please forward this to anyone you think might be interested. I teach adults conversational English (ESL). Most of my students are from Japan. I find the language lab very useful. Students do use the record feature a lot. This is because I require them to do this. I also have a lab orientation session with the Lab director at the beginning of each course. Without this support I would not use the lab. If I didn't show them and tell them how to use the record feature the students wouldn't use it. They are afraid at first that they will erase the tape. They find it beneficial to hear their voices and compare it with the master. Currently we have three ways of using the lab. Tape and text: students work with individual student copies with the textbook open. They repeat and practice the dialogues and pronunciation sections. (Text: Intercomm 2000) We do Jazz Chants also. (Text: Small Talk) Secondly, students have individual blank tapes supplied by the lab. They record a short speech about themselves. I work with them individually from the console. I also record my comments on their speeches on their tapes. Thirdly, we do listening dictation using American or Hawaiian songs. They sing along. I teach three different classes that use the lab: grammar, pronunciation, and conversational fluency. The first two classes use the lab once a week. The students feel it is very valuable. Ours is an intensive language program so the lab gives us a change of pace. Beth Ruze Instructor, New Intensive Course In English Outreach College University of Hawaii at Manoa