Multimedia Language Lab: an Effective Tool for Esl Learners.

Multimedia Language Lab: An Effective Tool for ESL Learners.

Nilesh H. Chitte,

Pratap College, Amalner, Dist-Jalgaon, Maharashtra (India)

scholarsdesk007@gmail.com Cell:7798813048

Abstract-

In today’s world of Computer and IT, computer-assisted language learning (CALL) has become a requisite tool in teaching and learning of English for ESL learners. Multimedia language lab is highly beneficial for the learners as it is interactive and fun-giving. It induces interest among the learners and mitigates their tension in acquiring the language. With the help of self-learning soft-wares, the students are able to construct sentences, to learn the rules of grammar, to enrich the vocabulary, to improve their pronunciations and so on. Due to the multiple result oriented benefits, the entire process of learning becomes motivational, entertaining, and interesting.

There is a great difference in the environment and experience of teaching and learning English language in a multimedia language lab and in traditional classroom. In a traditional classroom, a teacher plays a typical role of “giver” whose source of teaching is a textbook. His teaching aids are limited to ‘chalks’ and ‘board’. He happens to be a singular ‘speaker’ while the students remain silent ‘listeners’. It is a one way process of learning. On the other hand, in a multimedia lab, a teacher plays the role of instructor/facilitator/coordinator that guides the students and coordinates a smooth operation of communication among the students. Whenever the students find any technical difficulty or problem in understanding content of any topic, they raise queries. Consequently, the entire class, unlike traditional class, becomes an interactive session.

Like any other teaching methodology, teaching through multimedia lab has certain limitations. But with a few precautionary measures, a little hard work and updating knowledge in handling the computer technology, one...