Learning a New Language at Lakehead U Now Easier

New Laboratory Assists Students to Develop Language Skills

(Thunder Bay - January 27, 2005) Lakehead University's Department of Languages has opened a new languages laboratory which will make learning a new language much easier.

The Sanako Lab 300, equipped with an information and communication manager and a Computer Supervisory System network, has been installed in the Language Lab (Braun Building, Room 2001). This new lab is an interactive, easy-to-use language lab system that provides students with a versatile learning experience. By a simple click on the student icon, the teacher is able to monitor the selected student's work unnoticed. The student's voice, the programme soundtrack, and the screen's image can be monitored from the teacher's station. With a second click of the mouse, the teacher can assist students in their work.

Offering high-quality audio, video, and multimedia components, the laboratory enables teachers and students alike to make use of a variety of language learning resources. It allows the teacher to supervise the classroom on the master screen, to create and deliver lessons, and to collect and evaluate exercises. Other devices such as CD, DVD players, and VCRs are also integrated in the lab. The system allows the transfer of video images from these devices to student monitors, an operation that gives a new dimension to language learning and the delivery of cultural material in civilization and literature courses.

Faculty members and students have quickly adapted to the new technology in the lab, which opened in September 2004.

"By engaging students more actively in the very process of acquiring language and discovering other cultures, we are clearly adopting a student-centered approach to learning," says Alain Nabarra, Chair of the Languages Department. "The lab is quickly becoming an indispensable tool at Lakehead University, and both our students and faculty are excited about this new facility."

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Contact: Marla Tomlinson, Lakehead University, 343-8177