Effect of Using Language Laboratory on Developing Listening Skill

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of using language laboratory for teaching EFL listening skills. This study examined the teachers' and learners' attitudes to listening skill and the difference between students practice listening using language laboratory. The researcher used classroom observations and a questionnaire to collect data from EFL learners at the basic level 20 students and 168 English language teachers in Khartoum state, participated in the study. The study has come up with the following findings: 1. The use of language laboratory in teaching listening has positive effect on student's performance. 2. Each student can listen to the lesson material at a level set by themselves for their own comfort. 3. As the language lab allows the student to listen to the program stimulus individually 4. Labs provide the capability for dividing the class into several groups 5. The language lab helps students develop good listening skills and aids the process of communication. 6. The lab provides the students with a variety of model voices rather than just the voice of the teacher (who is often not a native speaker). 7. The results also revealed that the teacher performance in teaching listening reinforces the student's skills. 8. The use of different equipment helps students to achieve listening skill.

This study recommends that:

1. Effective teaching techniques should be used in teaching listening skills. 2. The results ensured the fact that further practice leads to good listening. 3. The number of the students in the class should be minimized, as it will give a chance for every student to participate. 4. More efforts should be exerted in teacher training centers.