This concise report, one of a series, focuses attention on the topic of correlation of work in the foreign language class with drill in the language laboratory. Viewing the attitude of the language teacher as the critical factor in this problem, the author presents fundamental material on: (1) selection of appropriate materials, (2) the use of…

The basic mechanical functions of the foreign language laboratory described in this report enable utilization of authentic target language, linguistically effective learning devices, visuals, and facilities for monitoring and testing. Brief descriptions of 11 laboratory functions include: (1) isolation (physical, acoustical, and psychological),…

This contrastive listing of the possibilities and problems of the language laboratory is intended for the elementary and secondary school teacher. In this article, the author emphasizes the oral nature of language and the need to treat methods, materials, and machinery as a trinity. (RL)

In order to gain some insight into the issue of optimum age for second language learning, the experiment described in this report was based on the negative hypothesis that there is no significant difference in the ability of randomly selected subjects, kindergarten through grade six, to imitate critical sounds and sound clusters embedded in words…

Presents guidelines for making individual cassette recordings for student homework from tape masters accompanying foreign language texts. Strategies for using and supplementing curricular material are also discussed. (LMO)

Greater numbers of Beginning French students at Harvard University are requesting duplicate audio cassettes of their language study program in order to avoid working under the constraints of the language laboratory. This study indicates that the majority of students prefer practicing aural/oral skills outside of the language laboratory. (MSE)

Discussion of computer-assisted language learning highlights a British study with elementary, secondary and university Spanish language students that incorporated speech synthesis and interactive video. The Multifacet Language Laboratory is described, software used is explained, student and teacher reactions are discussed, and a sample of the…

This encyclopedia of language teaching and learning is an authoritative handbook dealing with all aspects of this field of study. It has been produced specifically for language teaching professionals, but can also be used as a general reference work for academic studies at a postgraduate level. A comprehensive range of articles on contemporary…

After finding that the English Pronunciation course required at Regensburg University reduced errors by only 14 percent, a course was developed in recognizing errors (one's own and others'), with emphasis on vowel reduction, speech rhythm, elementary intonation and liaison. As a result, errors were reduced by 67 percent. (IFS/WGA)

Describes study of college freshmen in Taiwan that was designed to investigate whether the use of television in the language laboratory would affect attendance, scores, and student attitudes toward the second language class, the instructor, and the teaching materials. Positive effects of TV on the attendance, scores, and attitudes of students in…

Describes the results of using field-specific written materials in a language laboratory setting to teach oral skills in a support course for international teaching assistants for the purpose of promoting automaticity in oral production and raising the intelligibility of students through the improvement of fluency and pronunciation. (25…

This article describes the development and implementation of a low-cost self-access language center for students and faculty participating in English for Science and Technology (EST) courses at the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Nicaragua, Leon. It discusses the phasing-in of self-access facilities, learner preparation and training, and staff…

This study of college freshmen learning a second language compared two instructional strategies using cooperative learning and interactive video instruction, and measured the effect of these strategies on achievement and attitudes. Recommends further research to determine how to group mature learners and how to use two-person workstations in…

This paper describes the 3-year development of the Language Resources Centre at the University of Southampton. The Centre provides a range of self-access resources and facilities in a pleasant working environment for language learners. It offers assistance for languages taught at the university as well as for languages not taught at the…

A project undertaken at the Gene A. Whiddon Adult Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida sought to prepare teachers, laboratory aides, and students for the introduction of new computer technology in a language laboratory, specifically for instruction in English as a Second Language. The project had three phases: (1) computer literacy instruction for…