The most important function of a language is to communicate properly. Hence English language also plays a powerful tool in communication. In order to communicate successfully, one needs a language that is commonly understood by most of the people in the speech community. For many years, English has become the common language globally understood and appreciated by nearly everyone. In other words English becomes an effective instrument to communicate with everyone around the world. Good communication skills are indispensable for the success in any profession and one of the important skills among the teachers.
A language laboratory is a classroom equipped with tape recorders or computers where people can practise listening to and talking foreign languages. Language laboratory is an audio-visual installation used in modern teaching methods to learn the foreign languages. It is a technological breakthrough for imparting skills in English. The language laboratories are better valued within educational institutions since the functions and possibilities they offer are much higher than the ones in the traditional teaching-learning system. “Digital language laboratories are much more than a tool for training and listening discursive language, they are places to study and experiment with real samples of languages, learn languages and exercise in their use. So they are configured using multimedia technology, communications and flexible and open organizational models with any necessary tool to process philological materials. Using a language lab is to get students more involved to actively participate in language learning exercises, to have more time to practice the spoken language that is not possible in a traditional classroom environment.
The English language Lab established in 2015 has been used to facilitate classroom engagement and interaction via computer-based exercises and activities to maximize proficiency in language components (vocabulary and pronunciation) and in language skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing). The English Language lab provides a diverse experience from the conventional system of teaching and learning English language communication skills and offers advanced features such as authentic recorded materials, spoken by different native speakers, that expose the students to the near – ideal pronunciation of native speakers.
This Laboratory is of particular use to the students pursuing the Communicative English Vocational Course. The college language laboratory has an audio and audio-visual installation which can be altered by the learners to fit their requirements. The language Laboratory facilitates individual tutoring by the staff members as well as self learning by the students. It helps students to acquire proficiency in the English language. Student with weak communication skills are coached and provided with a lot of practice in communicating specifically in the classroom situation. They are groomed also in their pronunciation and stress. Classroom etiquette, giving instructions, asking questions, framing interactive questions while using a teaching aid etc. is taught to the students. This infuses a lot of confidence in them to face the class and improve their competency in practice teaching.
The lab offers an exclusive result oriented and efficient way to enrich the English language learning process.
· Teachers and students use computers with language lab software for conducting language learning exercises and activities
· Teachers and students use headsets with microphone to communicate and conduct language learning exercises and activities
· Students have a media player/recorder to listen to audio and watch video and for recording their speech exercises
· Preset language learning lesson activities allows the teacher and students to get on task fast and easy to use without any mistakes or lengthy teacher workarounds