--- Forwarded Message from "David Flores" <[log in to unmask]> --- >Date: Thu, 23 Sep 2004 15:08:59 -0400 >From: "David Flores" <[log in to unmask]> >To: <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Re: #7623 Language Lab Rationale-Seeking Advice This isn't "objective research" but in my opinion, one of the most valuable functions of a language lab is that it provides a "foreign language friendly space" where students can come to practice pronunciation and speaking drills without feeling self-conscious about it. Let's face it, most students are going to be less than enthusiastic about performing pronunciation drills when they are surrounded by other students in a general-purpose laboratory, a library, or a dorm room with other roomates. However, if they find themselves in a dedicated space with other students performing pronuncaition drills, then they'll be less self-conscious about completing their lessons. David Flores Director: Language Learning Center Loyola College in Maryland 4501 North Charles Street Baltimore, MD 21210 Ph: (410) 617-5230 Fax: (410) 617 2859 >>> [log in to unmask] 09/20/04 05:14PM >>> --- 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]