Upgraded Foreign Language Lab Enhances Learning

Jennifer Conlee, co-news editor

For many students, learning a foreign language may seem hard.  However, South Plains College recently upgraded a foreign language lab that was created to make learning languages a much easier task.

“The lab is on the cutting edge of technology,” said Valerie Job, an associate professor of Spanish at SPC.  “It allows students and teachers to interact through text messaging on the computers, and it helps balance what the students learn in the classroom.” 

The advancements to the ASC language resource laboratory were completed in March, allowing students to engage in their own learning experience through voice graphing, video, and computer interaction.

“I think it’s good for students who don’t have time to study at home,” said Qushanda Jones, 20, who is a nursing major.

SPC has spent five years preparing for the ASC Direct Esprit DI-8 system.  More than 500 hours of investigation, travel, research, and communication has gone into the project. It is focused on giving students a way to open doors to language and teaching, as well as a means of reinforcing the use of technology to be carried into the job market.

The laboratory is located in the Communications Building on the Levelland campus, while there are plans for a language laboratory on the Reese campus in the future.

The laboratory consists of 23 computer stations, three of which are equipped for those with disabilities. The students use the stations to participate in different learning activities, through the aid of headphones.

“The lab has the capability to let the students participate in 10 different activities at the same time,” said Job. “Some can be listening, some can be speaking, some can be doing telephone or online activities, and some can be watching broadcast movies. The best part is, they can do it all at their own speed and ability levels.”

The lab gives the students the ability to participate in conversations with each other, or work independently from each other.

ASC labs have been used since their invention in Germany in 1964.  Now, they are in schools all over the United States.

SPC students are already utilizing this exciting new program. 

“I think the lab is stupendous,” said Everett Macias, 20, who is a science major. “I like the T-1 connection that we can use.”

When the students put on their headphones, they are introduced to a new way of learning. The lessons are delivered over the computers, and the students can actually interact with the lesson, making it easier to learn.

“I think it gives students who are learning a foreign language a way to encourage their growth of learning,” said Job.  “The system allows the students to learn by using their strengths and enhancing their weaknesses.”

Some of the advantages of having the foreign language lab at SPC include being able to serve approximately 400 students on one campus, allowing for enhanced teacher creativity, providing immediate feedback with regard to language production, and allowing the students to learn independently or in groups.  The program also increases student performances with exposure to various mediums, including Internet radio, television, newspapers, current events, geography, history, art, and music.

“The lab gives students a chance to ‘leave’ the traditional classroom and explore the Spanish speaking world outside,” said Job.

The program is also beneficial to students who don’t have much time on their hands.  The lab saves time because it makes it faster for students to learn, by allowing them to record their voices and listen to them, as well as listening to native speakers.

As of now, the lab only instructs students in Spanish, ESL, and speech.  It also can be used as an extension for law enforcement Spanish, medical Spanish, and the SPC dual credit language courses. 

“We will be able to offer the Spanish Advance Placement Exam to area schools as well,” said Job.  “There are other things that we can do, but these are the activities we have mastered currently. We still have training opportunities to take advantage of. It’s technology that’s almost magical.”

The system has multiple programs, some of which are teacher authored, and some of which are standard with the Esprit system. 

“We can allow students to listen, record, and monitor their voice patterns, and the teacher can monitor them as well,” said Job.

Randall Lee, 28, a history major, summed it all up.

 “It is very helpful, and a very useful tool for this class (Spanish).”