The Communication Station is a group of Macintosh and Windows computers that are devoted to improving English pronunciation in a self-help setting. The Station is located in the ELI Learning Center, Education Hall Room 406. With its many pronunciation software programs, the Communication Station is a great place to polish pronunciation and speaking skills. In addition to the computer programs, users can access the Learning Center's many books, videos, and audiotapes, as well as schedule one-on-one pronunciation tutoring appointments.
Steps for Effective Use of the Communication Station
If you are not an OSU student
If you are not an OSU student, go to the ELI Office in Snell 301 and pay the $30 Learning Center fee. This will let you use the Communication Station and all other resources at the ELI's Learning Center, including the pronunciation assistants. Make sure you save the receipt--you will need to show it to the Learning Center staff in Education 406. For OSU students, use of the ELI Learning Center is free.
The optional diagnostic test
If you wish, you may take the optional diagnostic test. In general, we recommend this, since it will give you a detailed assessment of your weak areas and recommendations for practice. The fee of this test, for both students and non-students, is $25. You'll need to go to Snell 301 and pay the testing fee before taking the test.
If you have chosen the diagnostic test
You will need to videotape yourself for this test. Get a blank MiniDV cassette-- you can buy a blank tape at the OSU bookstore or a range of other locations around town. Arrange to use the camcorder in Education 406, the ELI Learning Center, or use another camcorder. Get a copy of the test in the Communication Station in Education 406. It's in the file drawer by the Communication Station.
Ask a lab assistant to help you if necessary. You will need to show your fee receipt.
Take the video to Michael Witbeck, Snell 301. You can leave it in his mailbox. Make sure you include a phone number and email address where you can be reached, so we can tell you when your results are ready.
After we tell you that your results are ready, you can pick up your recommendations from the ELI main office in Snell 301.
Go to the Communication Station in Education 406, ELI Learning Center, to begin work. (See a Learning Center schedule for this term.) Ask an assistant to help you get started. Please fill out a consent form if you are willing to let us use information about you in a research project.
Look at the handouts in the Communication Station to see which videos, tapes, and computer programs will help you work on your specific pronunciation weaknesses.
Everyone
1. Choose what to do from your recommendation sheet and the handouts. See a Learning Center schedule for this term to find times the Learning Center is available.
2. Practice your chosen activity. Don't spend more than 30 minutes on any one activity.
3. Record what you've done on the record sheets in the Communication Station. You can keep your record sheets in the top drawer of the file cabinet just on the right side of the computers. To make it easier to find your records, put the record sheet into a file folder. Blank file folders are in the file cabinet. Label one with your name and keep it in the bottom drawer.
4. Repeat steps 1-3 until the end of term or until you meet your goals. Make sure you try the Board of Listeners a few times during the term! See the Board of Listeners handout in the Communication Station for details.
For more information, contact Michael Witbeck by email or telephone 737-6977.
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