Language Lab - Survey: DELL Software

Language Lab - Survey: DELL Software

                                              Among the numerous tools utilized in the field of English Language Teaching using technology, one tool is the language lab which truly focuses on not only the LSRW aspects of language learning but also the basic communication skills. The lab of the Department of English, M K Bhavnagar University uses ‘language lab’ software as developed by Globarena Software Solution. It provides tailor-made, easy, step-wise chapters that aid language learning. There are many benefits including-

1.  Listening skill development

2. Speaking skills (fluency in conversation, Phonetics, etc)

3. Reading comprehension

4. Writing skill development

                                              This blog post highlights how the use of Globarena software can improve the English Language Learning of students. It aims to share my personal experience of using the software as well as the difficulties I faced in using the software. It is a good idea to introduce the use of Globarena in our ELT-2 course but it is equally challenging for the software and its equipment to compete with today's 21st century when compared to other mediums.

What is Language Lab?

                                              A language laboratory is a dedicated space for foreign language learning where students access audio or audio-visual materials. They allow a teacher to listen to and manage student audio, which is delivered to individual students through headsets or in isolated 'sound booths.' A language laboratory is a classroom or other area containing electronic and mechanical equipment designed and arranged to make foreign-language learning more effective than is usually possible without it.

What is Language Lab software?

                                              Language lab software has some designed features that give a platform to vernacular students to explore the targeted language. It is a kind of self-access language learning software. The student in the language lab puts into practical use his acquired language skills as well as exposed to newer expressions, as a result, language learning is internalized and it becomes part of his/her everyday verbosity.

Globarena-

                                              Globarena Technologies is a leading learning and assessment company operating in the higher education space offering a wide range of solutions to enhance learning and assessment that helps institutions to effectively address their entire skilling needs be it generic or subject-specific needs.

                                              Globarena started with the aim of providing Quality Learning Solutions by using state of the art technology and has created a niche for itself. Globarena software provides many features and their products can make a positive impact on learner's learning needs in many ways. 

                                          Globarena is a flexible software where students, as well as teachers, operate the system easily. The software provides features like reading comprehension, phonetics, Vocabulary development etc.

Advantages of language learning software - Globarena

1. A perfect platform for beginners: 

                                          The software caters to all the needs of a learner who is learning English as a second language. There is a teacher console and a student console. 

                                          The teacher console is one server with various student's files. The teacher can view the progress of the student. The teacher enrols the students, handles the administration part and schedule the activities for the learners. Whenever the student finds any difficulty or has a doubt, the student will 'hand raise' by clicking on that option. The teacher will be able to solve the doubt. The teacher can also share a desktop and chat with the students in solving their doubts. Hence, the teacher console is for monitoring the student's activities and their progress in language learning. 

                                          In the student console, there are three levels and all the levels are open for the learners to practice the LSRW. 

2. Encourages active participation: 

                                          It helps in developing basic skills like listening, reading, speaking and writing with images and animated cartoons. The visuals are also interesting which gives it a very convenient and refreshing quality of hold the learner's attention and maintain the learner's enthusiasm. 

3. Highly interactive: 

                                          The software is highly interactive. Learners can listen to native accents and try to imitate the capture the exact tone of the speaker by speaking. After recording their own voice, the learners can compare their accent with the native accent and can learn about the frequency wave to improve their intonation and tone. The phonetic lesson happens to be very interesting and useful. 

4. Boosts Learner's confidence: 

                                          The 'verify' options help a lot in boosting learner's confidence in learning the language. The learner practices some tests and is able to get instant feedback where s/he can find out where s/he has made a mistake. 

5. Self-accessible: 

                                          The software is self-accessible which helps the learners to learn independently and in their own space without much difficulty. If a learner faces issues in learning, s/he can again repeat the lesson as many times as s/he wishes to. Hence, there is less chance of avoiding a lesson when the learner faces difficulty in understanding. 

Disadvantages of language learning software - Globarena

1. Time-consuming: 

                                          The present-day digital platforms provide results in no seconds. In today's world, everything is available at the finger tip. So, when compared to modern technology, operating the software and utilizing it requires a great deal of patience. It can shut down at any minute. There is no certainty till when this software can work. Additionally, the interactive feature takes a lot of time to process the command. 

2. Triviality:

                                          The language software lags a lot. While performing the writing tasks, the exercise was to drag the selected word and fill/put it in the appropriate blank, the dragging process was not working smooth enough to engage the learner. And as a result, it becomes monotonous to handles the machine. 

3. Lack of experience:

                                           There is a need for technical knowledge or first-hand experience in utilizing the language lab software. But the fact is that the learners who really wish to learn are not aware of such devices or technical knowledge.

4. Not compatible as mobile:

                                          The language lab software is not as compatible with mobile phones or such devices as tablets. Additionally, it requires a microphone, earphones or headsets, to record or listen whereas with mobile, learning a second language has become very efficient and learner-friendly. 

5. Inconvenience of time:

                                          As mentioned, it requires a lot of patience to work with a language lab software like Globerena. Hence, there might occur error in software and all the process needs to be done from first. 

Things I have learnt-

                                          Globarena - the language learning software helped me to improve my speaking skills. To be very precise, it enhanced the way of stressing a particular word or syllable. While pronouncing even a simple word like 'electrify' we make errors. So it taught me the right way to put stress on a particular syllable. 

 It also helped me with basic grammar skills.

                                          It successfully built my vocabulary. From action words to descriptive words and beyond, it provided me with a strong vocabulary. The software had a broad range of vocabulary, and describe specific settings, emotions, and ideas. This specificity is what I have learnt. 

                                          One of the important lessons I have learnt is to have patience along with language skills. The software demands a very subtle hand that uses it. 

It also enhanced my communication skills. 

Few new words (vocabulary or pronunciation) I learnt while reviewing the software:

Meandering,

Myrmecology,

Herpetology,

Ornithology,

Rebuttal

I like the 'food for thought' section the most.

Mobile app language lab - NAMO e-TAB 

and

Language lab programme in DELL - Globarena

Similarities-

Both provide very standardized content for language learning and communication skills. 

Both are interactive and promoted self-paced learning environments. 

Differences-

                                          The NAMO e-TAB was considerably more convenient and easy to access than the DELL software. The disadvantage of DELL software is that it can only be accessed at a particular spot i.e. in the language lab of a department or any institution but the tab application can be installed on mobile and hence proves that the learner is free to learn at home also. 

                                          The language lab software- Globarena is much more advanced when it comes to standardized training. It provides a feature of phonetic learning from basic to advanced levels. It allows the learner to test their speaking skills and compare them with the standardized format. This is only of the advantage of using DELL software over NAMO e-TAB. 

Thank you.