THE LANGUAGE LAB

PROJECT FRAMEWORK

ABSTRACT
Deer Park High School does not have a language lab, yet the need for audio recordings is necessary for second-language studies. Advances in hardware and software, do not make it necessary for a school to have the traditional lab anymore. Laptop, an iPad/notebook, an on-line site or an application will suffice. The key is to make sure that the procedures used are consistent and students feel comfortable with the recording method.

EVIDENCE OF NEED
Audio and listening recording is necessary for language learning portfolios. In the 2011, Deer Park Independent School District began a credit by exam program for ESL students. This exam required a listening and speaking portion that needed to be kept on file for each student.

In addition, the 2014 Spanish Language and Culture Advanced Placement Exam contains two times the audio selections (listening and speaking) as previous years exams. These selections have to be kept on file, copied and mailed to the collegboard.org
Both of these assessments required an updated and consistent format.

THE LISTENING LAB IN THE CLASSROOM

EVERNOTE ON IPADS FOR TESTING

STRATEGIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION

Who What When How

Foreign language teachers and coordinator, ESL teachers and coordinator, the Campus Technology Instructional Facilitator (CTIS) and a supervising administrator will collaborate to maintain the method.

The ESL teacher will use Evernote to keep audio files and submit for evaluation. Since these are local files, they will be stored locally. The Foreign Language teachers will use Audacity software to practice for the AP exam and prepare for the exam recording. The AP exam recording has to be copied on a CD and sent to the Collegeboard.

Both formats will be applied at he beginning of the school year. This project will be maintained throughout the school year. CBE for ESL students take place 2-3 times per year. The AP-style listening and audio are used throughout the school year and are incorporated in the PreAP and AP curriculum. The official AP exam listening and recording occurs each May.

The coordinator or team leader and the CTIS will train the staff involved in the process. A training session can be scheduled during the pre-school year workshops or during a curriculum meeting. Students will be taught by the teacher to use the software and hardware.

EVALUATION FORMATIVE & SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENTS

The coordinators or team leaders will monitor be liaison between the teachers and the CTIS. Teachers will provide feedback on the ease of use and the availability of equipment.

At the end of the school year, there will be e review of the process by the district ESL/Bilingual director and the district AP test coordinator. The goal will be to make any changes and improve the process for the following year.