This research focuses on the need of a digital language
laboratory which will allow the students of a technical
university to improve their communication skills not only in
work-related situations but also in personal domains. This paper
talks about the importance of a language lab in English learning
classes at a technical university. It also describes the barriers for
teachers using language labs and finally suggests ways how
language labs can be useful for students studying sciences.
Published In : IJCSN Journal Volume 2, Issue 5
Date of Publication : 01 October 2013
Pages : 08 - 10
Figures : 01
Tables : --
Publication Link : ijcsn.org/IJCSN-2013/2-5/IJCSN-2013-2-5-20.pdf
Samina Hashmi : got her master degrees in English
Literature and Linguistics from Karachi University and Certificate
in Professional Studies in Education (CIPSIE) from Bradford
College U.K. She has been in teaching profession since 1990 and
currently serving Bahria Engineering University Karachi Campus.
The current research interest of the author is to develop
curriculum of English courses being taught to potential Engineers
according to their needs. She had been associated with Society of
Pakistan English Language Teachers (SPELT) for several years.
The rate of language learning is very high in computer
integrated lessons that could be conducted on trial basis. It
is to be added here that computer is just a tool which can
be used positively or negatively. Overuse of technology may ruin the beauty of proposed lessons. Therefore it is
essential to upgrade the professional competence of the
faculty responsible for using language labs as no matter
how well the curriculums are designed, the development
of English language according to university students’
requirements will be handicapped.
The benefits of using technologies in the verbal
communication classes can only be achieved if the
learning objectives are focused to the need of the users. It
is to be remembered here that ‘where there is a will there
is a way’. With hard and sincere efforts of English
language teachers at professional universities, more
students centered but less time consuming classes will be
seen in future.
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