Lopez's language labs could make a comeback

Chelsea BrandweinStaff WriterLanguage labs may once again see the light of day.Language department teachers are attempting to get funding for the restoration of aged language labs, last used in the 1990s to better listening skills and pronunciation in all foreign language students.“[Language labs] improved speaking abilities, but I think the thing they did the most is improve listening comprehension. When you understand more, you can speak more, so these skills go hand-in-hand,” Language Department Chair José Lopez said.Samo had two language labs, each with forty enclosed stations equipped with a set of headphones. In each lab was a control consul where teachers could speak to and listen in on individual students to monitor their progress. Instructors could also connect students together in pairs or larger groups to develop conversational skills. A supervisor scheduled appointments (each teacher took their class once a week) and coordinated materials.“The equipment was very expensive,” former German teacher Berkeley Blatz said.Lopez estimates that the numbers were among $120-140 thousand.Since the closing of language labs in the early nineties, language department teachers have noticed a decay in listening abilities.“The listening skills have declined over the years, and that includes native speakers,” Lopez said.“Fortunately, we have a department that excels in teaching these skills of listening and speaking, but  language labs would definitely help everyone develop these skills towards fluency.”Just recently, Samo principal Dr. Hugo Pedroza contributed two boxes of new headphones, which would be used in the language labs if they were to undergo restoration and be reopened for student use.Additionally, Lopez has sought funding from local businesses and the Rotary Club. As of now, these local establishments are suffering due to the recent economic decline and are not currently making donations. However, Lopez remains hopeful.“This community has always been very supportive of education, so I believe we will find funding from businesses within and from the school district,” Lopez said.cbrandwein@thesamohi.com