INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
A language laboratory is an environment created for the learning of foreign language where students access audio or audio-visual materials. They enable the teacher to listen to and manage student audio, which is delivered to individual students through headsets or in isolated 'sound booths' (Roby, 2004). The main purpose of Language Lab is to facilitate student’s improvement in communication skills in the target language. It is also facilitating the learning of the phonetics of a language, such as pronunciation, accent, stress, etc. (Ajisafe and Okotie, 2011). The availability of language laboratory provides teaching and learning facilities and infrastructure which are the factors supporting the smooth teaching and learning activities in the Language Laboratory. It is essential for the development of beginners such as the undergraduate student in the learning of phonetic and phonology. It also enhances the work of researchers at the postgraduate level in the area of the acoustics of sounds and forensic language analysis in the field of linguistics. The language laboratory is good environment for organizing seminars, workshops and various aspects of educational trainings using educational software, production techniques, dubbing, etc. It provides learners with a platform to conduct a lot of training programmes, group discussions, presentations, personal interviews, debates and role plays. Thus, building their intellectual capability and creativity (Schmitt, 2006). The study focuses on evaluating the use of English language laboratory in higher institutions in Ogun state. A case study of covenant university Ogun state.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The use of Language laboratories provides numerous advantages to both the teachers and the students. However, there exist some challenges which impedes on the effective use of language laboratory. Common problems stem from the limitations and relative complexity of some technical equipment used in some language laboratory. Also the inability to acquire modern language laboratory equipment imposes some challenges. While the use of some the facilities results in time wastage and greater chances of failure. The problem confronting the study is focused on evaluating the use of English language laboratory in higher institutions in Ogun state. A case study of covenant university Ogun state.
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The Main Objective of the study is focused on evaluating the use of English language laboratory in higher institutions in Ogun state. A case study of covenant university Ogun state. The specific objectives include:
- To determine the relevance of English language laboratory.
- To determine the importance and challenges of the use of English language laboratory in higher institutions in Ogun state.
- To determine the impact of the use of English language laboratory in covenant university Ogun state.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
i. What is the relevance of the English language laboratory?
ii. What is the importance of English language laboratory in higher institutions?
iii. What are the impacts of the use English language laboratory in Covenant University, Ogun state?
1.5 STATEMENT OF THE HYPOTHESIS
Ho1: There is no significant impact of English language laboratory on teaching and learning of languages in Covenant University, Ogun state.
1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The study focuses on evaluating the use of English language laboratory in higher institutions in ogun state. A case study of covenant university ogun state; It provides relevant data for the effective formulation and implementation of policies to enhance the realization of envisaged objective.
1.7 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
The study was confronted with logistics and geographical factors.
1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS
LANGAUGE LABORATORY DEFINED
Language laboratory is an environment created for the learning of foreign language where students access audio or audio-visual materials. They enable the teacher to listen to and manage student audio, which is delivered to individual students through headsets or in isolated 'sound booths.
EDUCATIONAL SUPERVISION DEFINED
Educational Supervision consist of all effort involving school officials directed at t providing leadership to educational workers or teachers to enhance an improved educational system and institution. The process involves the deployment of human and material resources.
