Language Lab: A Virtual practical space for enhancing engineering student's English proficiency

Abstract

English is one of the prominent academic languages in India. The majority of higher education institutions are using English as the medium of academic communication; particularly engineering institutions. As learners in India, the students acquire English as a second language after their mother tongue. In the Indian Constitution, the English language holds the status of one of the official languages of India. Particularly, English serves as the language of choice for higher education, business, administration and professional sectors in the country. However, in higher education, English remains a direct instructional tool to receive receptive and productive skills. In the engineering curriculum, practical- oriented learning is emphasised rather than theoretical and takes place at
various laboratories inside the institution. Therefore, to learn and practice English the institution is essential to have an English language laboratory (Lab). In this study, the perceptions of English language teachers toward the English language laboratory (Lab) and the problems faced by engineering students in acquiring reading and writing skills are reviewed, with the help of questionnaires collected from 150 English language teachers in Erode district, Tamil Nadu. Eventually, the article concludes by addressing the question, Is an English language laboratory (Lab) a necessity in higher educational institutions, particularly in engineering colleges?