Language labs

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Contemporary language laboratories Sanako Lab 100 and Sanako Lab 1200 are the pride of the Dialogos’s multimedia department. Namely, they are fully digitalized language laboratories of the Finnish manufacturer SANAKO, whose products are used by the greatest scientific-educational institutions (UCLA, Oxford, University of Sweden).

Sanako Lab 100 is an extremely functional system, which allows teachers to use tools, whose purpose is optimal application of their working experience, while at the same time it creates a stimulating environment for learning.

This system requires only one computer which is operated by the teacher, while the students use quality and solid audio panels (UAP) and headphones with integrated microphones.

SANAKO Lab 1200 is a unique software solution capable of transforming computer classroom into an interactive-multimedia environment. The whole system is based on computers which enable the teacher to incorporate different digitalized materials (texts, images, video and audio materials) into teaching process.

 

SANAKO language laboratories offer the following activities programmed in advance:

  • Listening comprehension
  • Model imitation
  • Reading practice
  • Phone conversation
  • Pair discussion
  • Group discussion
  • Simultaneous translation
  • Consecutive translation
  • Recorded response
  • Quiz
  • AP® exam
  • Library activity

The advantages of SANAKO language labs are:

  • Learning is adjusted to individual abilities of students who can, based on their desire and speed, polish and improve specific language areas.
  • Teachers have at their disposal a variety of functions that these digital systems offer, while students have the pleasure of using modern tools for learning foreign languages, talking to each other on headphones and microphones, recording their own conversations…
  • The efficiency of learning is increased and students have the opportunity to memorize the bulk of studied material.
  • Valuable use of time, since every student can work and test their own abilities alongside with the other students, i.e. they do not have to wait for their turn.
  • Repetition of language exercises (the system allows repetition of exercises as many times as necessary).
  • Students themselves pronounce original parts of a foreign language, and do not manipulate, as they used to, a processed language
  • The target language is acquired in a more natural way than in traditional way of teaching (authentic materials are used: book and film reviews, weather forecast, magazine and newspaper articles and similar).
  • Improved communication.
  • Time and space independence.
  • Digitalized materials (mp3 and wav. format) created in class, and emailing of these materials to students who want to learn at home.

 

Listening comprehension

The aim of this exercise is to improve the listening skill itself. The audio source plays a text, which the students first listen to, and then use for improving their comprehension, learning new vocabulary, answering questions (Quiz), or practice reading (Reading practice).  This exercise is done individually, which enables the students to practice at their own speed.

Model imitation

By listening to the audio model and repeating after it, the students practice the accent, rhythm and intonation of a foreign language. The exercise is recorded (both the audio model and the student) and then replayed.

Reading practice

The aim of this exercise is to improve pronunciation and intonation. The student reads (and records) a specific material, and then replays it. This exercise can be repeated indefinitely.

Phone conversation

Students practice phone conversations by dialing each other via their audio panels. Option “Long Distance Call” simulates the conversation abroad (noise, sound delays…)

Pair discussion

This activity enables students to develop their rhetoric abilities through different oral exercises. The focus is on the use of students’ own words instead of “rigid” phrases and on joint learning at their own speed. 

Group discussion

By taking part in group discussions (expressing ideas, thoughts…) students practice their speaking skills. The students, for example, learn how to understand and react adequately in intercultural communication situations. Group members can be changed, if necessary.

Simultaneous translation

The students listen to audio source in a foreign language and translate it into their mother language. All translations are recorded for a follow-up evaluation.

Consecutive translation

Consecutive translation means that the given source is translated into a designated language in sections. “The Speaker” stops at the end of every “paragraph”, and the interpreter translates what has been said. All translations are recorded for a follow-up evaluation. .

Recorded response

This exercise is ideal for practicing communication in various given situations. For example, in a simulated job interview situation, the students provide their responses/outputs to the inputs previously recorded by a native speaker.

Quiz

Lab 100 Quiz is a fast and simple way of evaluating the student’s progress/comprehension in specific areas. The student uses his/her Audio Panel to answer the questions, and immediately gets the results, thus checking his/her understanding of the studied materials.

Library activity

In this activity the students use a specific audio material for individual work. Of course, not all students have to work with the same material, but each student can use a different material. Even if all students get the same material, they can still work individually – everyone with their own copy of given audio material. The results of all exercises are recorded and can be used for later, if necessary.

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