Language Learning Laboratory

A seat in the Language Learning Laboratory is like a passage to virtual world travel.

The Department of World Languages and Cultures is very pleased to provide a technology-rich and comfortable environment to study and practice a second language. Find us in Rooms LIB 449 and LIB 451 on the fourth floor of the Ronald Williams Library around the corner from the Learning Success Center.

At the Language Learning Lab, we provide technical support and instructional media for students taking courses in the various languages taught by our department. To our faculty and instructors, we provide a place to integrate audio, video, computer and Internet resources into language teaching, by which students can gain communication skills and an authentic cultural experience. View the Quick Links on this page to learn about some of the lab's technologies.

The 36 iMac computers run both Windows and Mac OS X operating systems, and contain various language learning programs, web browsers and Microsoft Office programs with spell check and typing tools for many languages. The lab has headsets to lend out for private listening and voice recording. Each computer is equipped with web cameras and Faronics Insight software for faculty, staff and lab assistants to remotely assist, monitor and supervise students while they use the lab, as well as to teach with audio and visual computer materials and presentations projected on a video screen or on selected individual computers. Students can print documents for their courses at various printer/copier machines on campus.

The lab also keeps a collection of textbooks, and reference books for introductory language courses, and a vast collection of world language cinema, documentary and instructional videos on DVDs and VHS cassettes. The instructor console in LIB 451 contains a DVD player and VCR that can play videocassettes and DVD discs imported from other countries. These video players can be projected on the wall mounted screen or on each computer screen using the Faronics Insight software.

The larger lab (LIB 451) is used for World Language courses, department meetings, department faculty and staff training, and language related student activities such as meetings and events of the French Club or the Spanish Club. The adjacent smaller lab (LIB 449) is available for self-study and individual assignments even if LIB 451 is occupied.

Contact Us

Come to the lab in person or contact Thomas Griffin at TE-Griffin@neiu.edu at (773) 442-4752 in LIB 450, and the student lab assistants at (773) 442-4753 in LIB 449, to find out more about the language learning media, technologies and services offered by the Department of World Languages and Cultures to Northeastern students, alumni, faculty and staff.

Student tutors for various language courses are available through the Learning Success Center next door to the Language Learning Lab.

Visit Us

Hours for Spring 2019

Please note:

• Additional hours depend on student employee availability.
• If any World Languages classes meet in LIB 451, additional workstations are available in LIB 449.
• Hours may vary due to staff availability, meetings and lunch breaks for staff (usually 1 to 2 p.m.).
• Notice of temporary closings will be posted on the outside doors.
• The lab is closed on University holidays, weekends and during recesses; such as between the last day of finals and first day of classes. Consult the University Academic Calendar or the current semester Schedule of Classes for updated information.

Listen to Pimsleur Audio with CAN-8

All currently enrolled Northeastern students can listen to and record their voice responses to the Pimsleur Language Program audio CD library of recordings by installing the CAN-8 Virtual Lab client software for Windows or using the software pre-installed on the computers in the Language Learning Lab.

The CAN-8 client may be downloaded from the link on the left for use on personal Windows computers, but it is already installed at the Language Learning Lab in a Windows 10 virtual machine which is accessed by clicking the VirtualBox icon. A Northeastern student ID number is required to log into the software. An official Northeastern student ID number consists of nine digits, for example; 000123456. The default password is pword, but users can change it to a password of their choice. Refer to your Northeastern ID card for the yellow highlighted numbers and add enough zeros in front to total nine digits. This is your user ID for the CAN-8 software while at Northeastern.

Once logged in, students see a menu with a list of Pimsleur lessons and lessons related to textbooks or specific instructors' courses. The Player feature lets students interact with these lessons by listening, viewing, speaking, reading and writing depending on the lesson. Faculty have a different login role which allows them to use the Player, Planner and Tracker so they can create learning activities and assessments and assess students' progress.

These Pimsleur audio lessons and their accompanying reading booklets (links listed below to download, view or print) can be used to supplement our department's courses or for self-study, and are available for the languages commonly taught by the Department of World Languages and Cultures at Northeastern, including:

• Arabic, Eastern, Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 and Egyptian, Level 1.
• Chinese (Mandarin), Level 1, Level 2, Level 3
• English for Spanish Speakers, Intro Level (no readings), Level 1, Level 2, Level 3
• French, Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Plus Level (no readings)
• German, Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Plus Level (no readings)
• Greek, Level 1, Level 2
• Italian Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Plus Level (no readings)
• Japanese, Level 1, Level 2, Level 3
• Korean, Level 1, Level 2
• Polish, Level 1
• Portuguese (Brazil), Level 1, Level 2, Level 3
• Spanish, Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4
• Manual del Usario Pimsleur, English for Spanish Speakers
• Pimsleur User's Guide, All Languages

The CAN-8 client currently runs on any Windows computer including office machines used by faculty and staff on campus. The Planner feature can be used by faculty to create language learning lessons with audio, video, photographs, text, and various assessments and drill activities which are stored, along with students' voice recordings, responses and grades in an on-campus server. Their login time, date, task and audio and text responses can be viewed and assessed using the Tracker feature. The Babilon feature allows students and faculty to engage in group conversations online, in the Language Learning Lab or anywhere on the Internet that the CAN-8 client is installed. Releases of CAN-8 for other computer operating systems and electronic devices are under future development.

Use Web Resources and Your Smartphone to Learn Languages

You can learn and practice many different languages including ESL with the free Duolingo website on any computer. Register and learn in a fun game like environment, listening, speaking, reading, writing and translating while keeping track of your progress on the Web or on your smartphone or tablet. The website works on all computers and browsers and the app is available to download in Apple iOS, Android and Windows Mobile.

Another free online language esource is Babbel. This website also offered fun and easy language instruction on computers and Android and Apple smartphones and tablets. Babbel makes language learning easy, effective and convenient for everyone. The course material is broken into small blocks that are useful in everyday life: grammar and vocabulary practice are built into units that focus on practical things like getting to know someone, ordering food in a restaurant, shopping, or sightseeing. Babbel features speech recognition technology, and listens to you speak and helps you perfect your pronunciation. And the data-driven Review Manager adapts to your personal progress so you can revise the concepts you find most tricky. Babbel’s courses are in line with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

The Annenberg Learner website offers free online videos of classic PBS-Annenberg language learning videos, including the popular Connect with English, Destinos, Nuevos Destinos, and French in Action television series, with teacher's lesson plans, links to purchase DVDs and related textbooks and audio materials. The Language Learning Laboratory has the entire French in Action videocassette series, textbooks and workbooks in its collection, but students can watch them online for free. There are also useful video courses for prospective teacher candidates of world languages.