The Modern Language Lab has been around for more than 30 years. Today, it has been renovated and brought up to date with wireless computers to help students brush up on a foriegn language.
Language classes such as Spanish, German, French, Chinese and Japanese are offered at Sinclair Community College and software programs provided through the lab help students understand the language they are studying better.
“It has been very effective because of the visual media generation,” said Julie Hatton, a lab employee who has been helping Sinclair students for more than 10 years.
Along with Hatton, there’s part time assistant Laxmy Periasamy, who is from Malaysia, and Zach Demeter, a student employee.
Students are able to do homework activities on computers along with watching movies and listening to music. DVDs must be checked out from Hatton in exchange for the student’s tartan card.
The latest upgrade in the lab is a new touch screen login to choose your activity and class. Hatton is currently working on developing the orientation introduction to the lab into a podcast. This will allow students in 100 or 101 classes to listen on iPods or from home online.
Ann Cash, a Spanish Liberal Arts Major, spends at least one hour a week in the lab.
“I think it’s great because it allows you to explore a language more,” said Cash.
Cash said one of her favorite things about the lab is getting copies of language CDs to take home and listen.
“They should have a lab for every class,” said Cash.
The Lab also offers placement tests in Spanish, French and German. This is a free service that takes 30 minutes to help you decide what language to take.
The Modern Language lab is located in Building 2 Room 321.
Hours for the lab are:
- Monday & Wednesday 8:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
- Tuesday & Thursday 8:30 – 8 p.m.
- Friday 8:30 – 3:30 p.m.
- Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
For more information, call Julie Hatton at (937) 512-2228.