FUNCTIONS AND MAJOR PROBLEMS FACED IN LANGUAGE LABORATORIES

In recent times the facet of teaching and learning process seems quite different from that of the days of 1970s and/or before that. Particularly in the process of learning a foreign language, the outworn and former methods have been thrown away and they are replaced with new and advantageous teaching methods and aids such as language laboratories, art of learning centers etc. Today the purpose of learning a second language is sifted from purpose of learning the literature of the target language or for any other purpose to the specific purpose that is to communicate in the target language. With the changes taking place in trade and commerce industries and with the advent and spread of information technology industries, the purpose of learning a second language- specially English language as it is internationally linking language- is to efficiently communicate both in oral and written forms. Fluency in English language- both speaking and writing skills- is highly essential and most seek after requirement to get into any industry irrespective of its work nature and functioning. Thus the latest language teaching methods and language laboratories change the face of teaching and learning a second language. This paper concentrates on studying the functions and problems of language laboratories. In this paper, we try to explain some important functions and major problems faced in language laboratories.