1. Application of Technology... by Madhavi

Introduction:

Multimedia language lab consists of modern equipments like computers, headphones, LAN facility, audio and video system, digital multimedia control, wireless headsets, microphones, interactive response pads camcorder, English language learning software etc. Different universities and institutions opt for wide-ranging platforms available in the market like Renet, Clarity, Aristoclass, Hiclass, Globarina etc.

According to Warschauer & Healey (1998), the reason to buy software is to provide an integrated teaching that will:

• • provide realistic, native-speaker models of the language in a variety of media;

  • offer a language learning curriculum;

  • do a needs assessment;

  • determine the best next step for the learner and provide practice with that skill area;

  • record what the student has done, along with an evaluation;

  • be available at any time and require no additional pay.

Listening skills

Listening was twice harder than talking as we are known to have two ears but one mouth. This implies the difficulty level in acquiring good listening skills. "Listening is now treated as a much more complex activity and one that is the cornerstone of language acquisition." (Krashen, 1994) Teaching listening skills at undergraduate level has drastically changed. Availability of different software, multimedia equipments has made the learning interesting and innovative. Study Skills Success (SSS) software is prescribed for the first year engineering students of various universities in Andhra Pradesh for effective LSRW skills, grammar and vocabulary development.

Study Skills Success (SSS)

Study Skills Success covers various units like listening, speaking, reading, writing, vocabulary, grammar, visuals etc. It provides the learner with different features like

• • Progress: The learner can view the status and check the progress of the exercises that he/she had completed.

  • Scratch Pad: This facilitates the learner to type any text during practice sessions. It has the print option also.

  • Print: This button provides the access to print any page in the software.

  • Recording: by clicking on this, the learner can record his/her voice.

  • Web Link: This button gives access to study skills success web link.

In this paper, a detailed description of the listening skill is discussed which is sub-divided into eleven parts:

1. Prediction

Prediction helps the learner in identifying his/her knowledge of the world, vocabulary, culture and grammar. This exercise consists of different sentences that are left blank at the end. The learner has to predict what comes next and fill the gap after listening to the speaker. The learner can click on the ‘marking’ button to check the answers and the score. He/she can try the exercise once again, if dissatisfied or move forward. Feedback is also available.

Example:

It was a beautiful day and the sun was shining.

2. Using signposts

Use of signposts helps the learner in prediction. Different signposts like however, in addition, but, actually, although, because etc are used. The learner has to listen to the first part of the sentence and choose the best option using the signpost.

Example:

In previous ages, only the well off could afford to eat well. So

a. slimness was an indicator of wealth.

b. plumpness was seen as a sign of prosperity.

c. they tended not to eat nourishing food.

3. Using Other Clues

Using other clues provide the learner with clues to answer questions while listening. A question paper is provided so as to make the learner guess the topic of the listening exercise.

4. Filling in a form

Based on the question paper provided to make the learner guess the answers using other clues, he/she is provided with the listening activity of filling in a form where the answers guessed can be checked. The learner is provided with the blank/question number so that he/she can easily answer the blanks by listening to the activity.

5. Listening for detail

Listening for detail refers to one’s ability in picking out details accurately. Different sentences are given and each sentence consists of some numbers. The learner has to listen to the sentences and write down the numbers as he/she listens to the speaker. No question number is mentioned.

6. Listening for names

Listening for names is based on listing all the names of people, places or time as the learner listens to the speaker. No question number is mentioned. Some names are also provided with spellings. The learner has to be accurate and fill in the blanks while listening to the speaker.

Example:

(i) Meadows

(ii) Manchester

7. Difficulty in listening

Difficulty in listening provides the learner with different topics where he/she should rank the topics in the order of difficulty keeping the easiest one at the top and the most difficult one at the bottom. There is no correct order as the ranking depends on the background knowledge of the learner.

Example:

Easy

(i) A TV programme on your favourite subject in Russian

(ii) The song “Happy Birthday” in English

(iii) A conversation with your friend in English

Difficult

A short talk is also provided that presents vital information on the importance of familiarity of the subject, motivation, thus enhancing the knowledge of the subject matter before listening, which may lead to ranking order of the topics.

8. Listening for the main points

The learner is provided with various questions where he/she is supposed to identify the best answer out of the three options provided. These questions are based on a passage as the learner listens to the speaker’s voice. The learner can make an attempt to answer the questions before listening to the passage.

Example:

Gatherings where mummies were unwrapped demonstrate that

a. people have bad taste nowadays.

b. people have always been interested in mummies.

c. mummies died thousands of years ago.

9. Orienting oneself to the task

Orienting oneself to the task explores the skills that one needs in cracking a listening test effectively. While listening, the learner has to ask him/herself certain questions like general topic of conversation, any sub topics included, the attitude of the speaker etc. so that the answering becomes easy. A passage is provided to the learner. He/she can listen to the passage and asking certain questions to him/herself, notes can be made on paper or on the scratch pad.

Example:

(i) How many people are there?

(ii) What are their names?

10. Interpreting attitude

A conversation is provided based on interpreting the attitude. The learner has to listen to the conversation and answer the questions by selecting the best answer out of the three options.

Example:

The female speaker believes that

a. society’s attitude has improved since the 1860s.

b. nothing has changed since the 1860s.

c. the situation is now far worse.

11. Listen to a lecture

Listen to a lecture consists of a lecture where the learner has to listen to and complete the notes by not using more than three words in a gap. The learner can make notes on the paper or on the scratch pad while listening.

e.g. We seldom see squid because:

their blood is unable to carry oxygen efficiently at surface temperatures;

they become too buoyant on the surface.

Conclusion

A majority of the students in Andhra Pradesh were not subjected to multimedia language teaching till their intermediate or +2 level. They are exposed to different language software and modern equipments in the first year of engineering education. SSS software exposes the students to improve their listening skills with all the necessary sub skills.

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