Tapping into technology for foreign language learning is important, given that such learning is seen as vital to the nation's economic and cultural well-being. The development of technology has dovetailed nicely with a new paradigm of foreign language education, says Marty Abbott, director of education for the American Council on the Teaching of…

This paper reports on the development of a self-access center (SAC) within a university context, and focuses on the kind of support mechanisms provided to learners to enhance their self-directed learning (SDL) skills. After providing background information on the center and its counseling service, the paper shows how changes in the university…

Describes the use of soap opera in a language laboratory. Each soap opera episode incorporates a vocabulary list from the course text. The list is supplemented by translation exercises and by a discussion of the particular grammatical principles involved, and the episode is followed by a listening comprehension test. (SED)

Suggestions are offered for planning a local area network (LAN) for language labs. Questions to ask, consultant selection, and LAN management are discussed. (two references) (LB)

The results of a process of designing, building, and "de-bugging" two replacement language laboratory hardware systems at Concordia University (Montreal) are described. Because commercially available systems did not meet specifications within budgetary constraints, the systems were built by the university technical department. The systems replaced…

A modular-type course in French was developed at the "Centre d'anglais et de francais" at McGill University (Montreal) to meet the needs of incoming students who were lacking skills in listening and oral expression. The course is composed of eight modules a semester, each module corresponding to 15 to 20 hours work on the student's part. The…

Practically since their availability, a succession of audiovisual recording devices (e.g., reel-to-reel, VCRs, PCs) has been used to capture language samples, and myriad playback and broadcast devices (e.g., phonographs, radios, televisions) have provided access to authentic speech samples. The espousal of audiolingual theory in the 1950s brought…

Describes the history of use of language laboratories in foreign language instruction and argues that both the quality and quantity of such activities fell short of the laboratories' potential. (CB)

A review of the language laboratory-related relationships between context and background knowledge, individualization and learner characteristics, feedback and continuing assessment, and focus and sequence supports foreign language teachers' use of eclectic, integrative, and alternative approaches that make full use of language laboratory…

Describes a technique that uses the materials of the language laboratory to develop fluency at the advanced level of Russian. Each week students receive a picture and a vocabulary list that relates to a story that they then listen to on a cassette. A conversation class completely in Russian follows. (SED)

Describes how the outdated language lab at Houston Baptist University was renovated and updated. Discusses the university's language internship program which grew out of the renovation. (EKN)

Ways that the language laboratory can help meet the needs of department chairs, faculty members, and students are discussed. The use of media in teaching, planning new laboratories, coordinating coursework and labwork, and keep current are covered. A description of the Millsaps College lab and sources of information are appended. (Contains 30…

An experiment was carried out at the University of Edinburgh to discover ways in which students might be helped to understand spoken language and to become more confident in their interactions in the language. As a result of the experiment findings, materials were designed to train students to perceive stress patterns, to internalize stress-timing…

Describes video distribution systems as a way of giving control of all monitors in a classroom to the teacher. Examples of their use are given, including distribution in language labs and distribution from a media lab to classrooms throughout a school building; and information about five vendors is included. (LRW)

The language laboratory at New Trier High School (Winnetka, Illinois) is designed to facilitate the learning of foreign languages. Equipment includes videotape recorders (VCRs), audiocassette recorders, microcomputers, and printers. Teachers create listening, speaking, and video exercises for students to complete independently. Students' enjoyment…