A language laboratory is arranged to make foreign language learning more effective.

1. Language Laboratory
A language laboratory is
arranged to make foreign
language learning more
effective.
Emphasis is on speaking
and listening.
Language lab is set in
computer rooms.

2. Components of a Language
Laboratory
1. Hearing booth(cubicle)
• It has normally 16-20 booths with
tables and seat for learners.
• Each student has a sound proof
compartment called the cubicle.
• Each cubicle is connected to the
console(instructor’s booth).

3. • Microphones, headphones and
recorder are provided.
• In the console, the learner
receives the language teaching
programme selected by the
teacher.

4. 2.The console
• The console is the instructor’s
room.
• It has :
a. Master tapes and monitoring
equipment for two way
communication.
b. Distribution switches to direct
the recorded programmes to

5. c. Monitoring switches to enable
the instructor to listen to the
learners, to correct, to advise and
evaluate them.
d. Intercom switches for two way
communication with an individual
learner.

6. e. Group call switch for inviting
attention of all the learners to
receive general instructions.
f. All call switch for making
announcement to the learners
regardless of the programme.

7. 3.Control room
The control room contains
all the tapes, records and other
equipment, properly indexed for
quick use.

8. Objectives of language laboratory
To enable one to:
1. to practise and assess
speech in a language.
2. to listen to model
pronunciation, repeat and record
the same and do self assessment
and correction.
3. to learn at one’s own pace.

9. The following steps are suggested to
carry out the activities of the language
lab.
• Identify the problem that needs
practice.
• Choose the correct type of drill
• Prepare the tape/CD script
• Make the recording
• Check the recording
• Evaluate the activity

10. Merits of Language Laboratory
The student :
• can grasp correct English
pronunciation, through a lot
practice of the right model.
• can detect errors by himself
• can learn at his own pace and
repeat as many times as he desires.

11. Merits of Language Laboratory
• feels free and confident
• gets more time for practise than
he get in his classroom
• gets exposure to native type of
language
• becomes an active listener and
speaker in the language lab.

12. Demerits of Language
Laboratory
• Development of reading and writing
skills has no scope in the language
laboratory.
• More than 20 students cannot be
accommodated in the language lab.
• Competent native speaker’s speeches
are rarely available.

13. Demerits of Language Laboratory
• In rural schools, installation of
language laboratory may be
difficult and costly .
• Efficient teachers who can
exploit the full possibilities of
language laboratory are rare,