MTU boosts learning with language laboratory

Mountain Top University (MTU), Ogun State has commissioned an ultra-modern digital language laboratory as a way of enhancing effective teaching and learning of languages.

Speaking at the weekend in Lagos, registrar of the school, Ademola Abimbola, said the core reason for contracting Robotel, a Canadian company, which develops, manufactures and markets digital language learning resources to set up the laboratory, was to ensure competent teaching that would advance students’ interest.

He said, “The language laboratory is a vital component of language study for those in the liberal studies and Mass Communication. It consists of specialised computers for various language learning courses.”

He also explained that the laboratory would expand the frontiers of knowledge, empower the students and use modern techniques to enrich students’ talents. The registrar added that language learning requires a peculiar approach to better learning; hence one has to be properly trained in the use of language.

Abimbola, who said that the school has 30 sets of workstations apart from the major instructors, attached to each student, added however, that the project would help the students to use the modern technology to better their talents.

Also, a lecturer in the Department of English Language, Prof. Adedayo Emmanuel Adedun, said that no English language department was complete until there was a laboratory. Regretting that many universities in the country lacked standard language laboratories, Adedun said the software could aid the teaching of language so that people can understand the rudiments of language and be able to practicalise what they have been taught.

On her part, Business Development and Optimisation Manager, Topteck/Robotel Incorporated, Grace Agbonavbare, said the facility helps teachers manage their classes and ensure that their students have sufficient opportunities to practice and hone their listening and speaking skills.

She also noted that it enables teachers to assign in class activities, where all students are able to speak concurrently, while enabling the instructors share computer displays between stations in rich media applications like image processing, media arts, among other rich media subjects requiring high definition graphics and/or smooth video.