This week was the start of our language labs at the university (i.e. 9 out of 12 of my classes). They only run for 10 weeks, so we don’t start them when regular classes start. Unfortunately, our brand new computerized language lab is not working properly, so we can barely use it. Instead, we’re running almost all of the labs in our old cassette-based lab. But of course, the sudden change to cassettes means that some classes aren’t exactly prepared because we don’t have the correct tapes.
I was so excited for the new lab when I first heard about it since I love technology in language learning. Then the stupid wires had to get all fussy and not let the system work. I tried it yesterday with a Phonetics lab, but the program crashed 3 times in 5 minutes, so I just gave up and tried to run the hour as a regular “lecture” class, which is actually kind of difficult when the students are in their little cubicles.
I’ve been forced into the cassette lab for several of my classes, and surprisingly I like it. The teacher’s desk looks so old-school with all the buttons and lights, but it’s fun to play with and I know it will work. It may be a bit out-dated (there are still signs on the wall from 1992 that say the room was recently redone with the latest technology), but it sure is reliable. Until your master cassette breaks when you’re trying to do the copy for the students’ cabines…
We aren’t sure yet if the new lab will be fixed for next week, but I honestly wouldn’t mind if it wasn’t.
It’s been an interesting week.
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View Comments so far ↓
1 Sally // Oct 8, 2008 at 9:16 pm
Your job sounds fab! I want to be a lectrice!
Sallys last blog post..Rude freecycler
2 bek // Oct 9, 2008 at 2:10 am
Technology is a great tool to use in education. You just always have to have a plan B ready for just in case.. I hate it when the main part of my lesson depends on technology (internet) and then it doesn’t work.
beks last blog post..Oktoberfest
3 Emmy // Oct 9, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Hey
ours has 4 cassette labs and 1 pc lab (that the lectrices arent allowed to use!) so we fight with the cassette labs that frequently break and I have to ressort to Plan B. The students hate labs. It’s boring and there is hardly any interaction between me and them. I like spying on them though with my teacher desk!
Your uni is so up to date!
Emmys last blog post..Exhaustion with a cherry on top!
4 karina // Oct 9, 2008 at 9:01 pm
I just wanted to tell you that my mom started taking French classes and was a little frustrated (as a VERY beginner) that the teacher was concentrating so much on oral expression where she’s a visual learner and needs to know some bases to get going.
She did a google search and found your blog and ADORES it, your French language tutorials and the MP3s etc, she said she wants to print things off and make her own flashcards
She asked, me have you heard of this? It’s so cool, of course I have I’m on the in with cool ex-pat bloggers
karinas last blog post..stressed?
5 Jennie // Oct 10, 2008 at 12:46 pm
@Karina: That’s so cute. I’m glad your mom is learning from my site! I plan on making flashcard/multiple choice/matching exercises for the French tutorials and incorporating sound into those too. Just gotta find the time to do it!
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