Even though our new lab actually increased the number of computers we have by giving us an additional class lab, we expect
to keep the seats full for a variety of reasons. We are doing lots of faculty training to keep instructors excited about using our lab. And, we have been focusing on fun. We converted our orientations to Kahoot games and students love it.
Also, we have these game-like contests we run where we give gift cards to the participants with the most badges. This
includes self-directed tutoring, Rosetta Stone software, and Language Partners. We threw a party/study group at the end of the semester for our Language Partners. Not nearly 100 students, but I will aim for that now.
We expect to add Game Breaks in the various languages we serve this semester. And, I read where someone had a Karaoke
event. I think we will try that in various languages, too.
Our unofficial theme for at least the next few years is that language learning can be fun.
From: Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Ledgerwood, Mike
Sent: Monday, February 12, 2018 5:56 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Reasons for the existence of Language Learning Centers / Language Labs in the age of iphones, notebooks, and other portable technological devices
We have a very vibrant Language Technology Forum at Samford University in Alabama in a beautiful new space. This space is a focus for languages and for fun stuff with languages, too. And when the director, a long time IALLT member, decided
to host a major study time before language finals last fall with advanced students as tutors, as a lagniappe, he had over a hundred students show up. I love going into the LTF and interacting with students and their leaders in their conversation activities
and messing with all groups in a very gentle way in Spanish, French, and German. I really think the LTF was very important in World Languages and Culture’s growth of 10.5 % over the last three years.
Mes deux centimes à tous, Mike
Mikle D. Ledgerwood, Ph.D.
Professor of Romance Languages and Linguistics
Chair of World Languages and Cultures
World Languages and Cultures
Summer Graduate Faculty in Technology and Language Learning
State University of New York at Stony Brook
205-726-2747 | 125A Russell Hall
From: Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum <[log in to unmask]>
on behalf of Felix Kronenberg <[log in to unmask]>
Reply-To: Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Monday, February 12, 2018 at 5:01 PM
To: "[log in to unmask]" <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Reasons for the existence of Language Learning Centers / Language Labs in the age of iphones, notebooks, and other portable technological devices
The different approaches, missions, and viewpoints in the recent IALLT book that I edited show that each center is quite different. The IALLT survey(s) back
that up. I summarized the findings here: http://ialltjournal.org/index.php/ialltjournal/issue/view/10
And here:
http://ialltjournal.org/index.php/ialltjournal/issue/view/29
I revisited the conclusion of the book and thought this paragraph might be useful:
“In any case, the language center is poised to provide a multiplier effect for its various tasks, from research support to experimental learning/teaching
space, from community of practice hub to a social environment, from curated resource center to clearing house of new technologies or innovative teaching practices. It makes possible what individual instructors cannot provide on their own. As such, the language
center is more connected, more interdisciplinary, more proactive and innovative than ever before. The general direction of the evolution of the language center is clear, as the chapters of this volume put forth. We are moving away from massive technology installations
to more flexible, more adaptable, more diverse spaces. Technology is not necessarily the only focus of language centers, but rather one (albeit often very important) aspect. Reinventing and reconfiguring one’s language center has become a perpetual, never-ending
task for center staff in these days of ever faster technological and institutional changes.”
At my institution, this is how we interpreted what a language center is:
http://rhodeslanguage.org
This would most likely not be a good fit for a different type of institution. And even among peer institutions, the center would/should be differently interpreted
and conceptualized. And we continue to reinvent ourselves. For example, in recent years we have become a 24/7 space, a makerspace, added study abroad advising and ESL tutoring, have moved our DVD collection to the library, and drastically cut down the number
of computers in the LC. As a result, the center continues to be used a lot.
As far as concrete steps, I would:
- download the
IALLT Language Center Evaluation Toolkit ( http://iallt.org/resources/publications/
) and use it to get a sense of where the center currently is. The toolkit can be adapted to fit your specific needs. It could also form the basis of your report.
- do an anonymous survey that includes as many constituents as possible: faculty, students, staff, visitors, etc. This is a good way to find out what is working
and what is not working. Programs/features/projects that are no longer relevant should probably be revisited and possibly discontinued to make resources available for projects that are more relevant. This step can also be done by a consultant.
- meet with every (if possible…) language faculty member at your institution and listen to them to find out what the center could provide for them.
- form a language center advisory group (if you haven’t already done so) that includes a diverse set of stakeholders
- revisit, reevaluate and rewrite the mission statement
- look at some of the recorded IALLT webinars dealing with language center design and management
- call some of your IALLT colleagues. (I’d
be happy to chat if you think that might be helpful.)
I would use this request to justify the center as an opportunity to reinvent it. Thank
you for bringing this up to everyone’s attention. As I’m writing this, I’ve already seen several responses in my inbox to your inquiry, which underscores how relevant this discussion is for many of us.
One last point: IALLT presidents in the past have written letters of support for language
centers that were threatened to be closed. If you (or anyone else) would find it useful to have such a letter written on their behalf, I would definitely happy to write that as the president of IALLT.
Cheers,
Felix
---
Dr. Felix A. Kronenberg
Associate Professor, Modern Languages and Literatures
Director, Language Learning Center
Rhodes College
President, International Association for Language Learning Technology
http://www.felixkronenberg.com
---
Dr. Felix A. Kronenberg
Associate Professor, Modern Languages and Literatures
Director, Language Learning Center
Rhodes College
President, International
Association for Language Learning Technology
http://www.felixkronenberg.com
On Mon, Feb 12, 2018 at 4:05 PM, Van Deusen-Scholl, Nelleke <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:
Dear Serafina,
Language Centers have evolved from a physical space where pedagogical materials were kept and where students were required to engage in language lab activities to a shared space for language faculty and graduate students. In many institutions, the language center functions as the hub and the intellectual home for a vibrant community of practice for language instructional faculty who are often marginalized in their home departments and who share an interest in the theory and practice of language teaching.
My colleague Suzanne Young and I have recently contributed an article, entitled “The role of language centers in the professional development of non-tenure track faculty”, which appeared in Felix Kronenberg’s IALLT volume, From Language Lab to Language Center and beyond: The past, present, and future of language center design. This volume addresses a range of issues that underscore the current relevance of language centers, and I would strongly recommend it to everyone.
Best wishes,
Nelleke
Nelleke Van Deusen-Scholl, Ph.D.
Director, Center for Language Study
Associate Dean, Yale College
Professor (Adj.) of Linguistics
Dow Hall
370 Temple Street
New Haven, CT 06520
From: "[log in to unmask]" <[log in to unmask]> on behalf of Helen Stapleton <[log in to unmask]>
Reply-To: "[log in to unmask]" <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Monday, February 12, 2018 at 4:45 PM
To: "[log in to unmask]" <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Reasons for the existence of Language Learning Centers / Language Labs in the age of iphones, notebooks, and other portable technological devices
While we no longer need a physical space for listening since recordings can all be put online, we feel it is important to have a physical space where foreign language tutoring takes place, foreign language magazines are kept, and foreign language films are kept and screened. It is also a space for checking out computers and iPads. We keep updated all manner of foreign language learning subscriptions to sites such as Rosetta Stone, Yabla, News in Slow, etc. We keep the foreign language departments' websites maintained and updated, and promote their events. We also host events that promote a love of language such as foreign language karaoke nights and we host forums each semester for foreign language faculty to share ideas with one another and learn about things from me. We also act as liaison between our students and the numerous online textbook platforms such as Vista Higher Learning, and Pearson's MySpanishLab. The students always need help getting logged in to and using these online foreign language textbooks. We also maintain youtube channels for all of our languages where we keep skits, dialogues, lectures, presentations, and other language related material.
That's only some of what we do. I'd appreciate hearing what other replies you get to this. Would you mind compiling it?
Thanks,
Helen
On Mon, Feb 12, 2018 at 2:53 PM, Serafina De Gregorio <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Dear All,
What is the rationale for the existence of language learning centers and labs in colleges and universities today? This is a question that seems to come up every 5 or 6 years at many institutions of higher learning. I have been asked by my university to put together a list of reasons why these facilites are still useful as well as the ways that they can be put to better use. I would appreciate your input concerning this topic.
Thank you so much for your help.
Dr. Serafina De Gregorio
Director Language Learning Centers
Fordham University
Tel: 718-817-0798'
Fax: 718-817-0600
--Helen Stapleton
Director, E.L. Kellerman Language Resource Center
Sewanee: University of the South, Gailor 227
735 University Ave.
Sewanee, TN 373783