2.6.1. Audio Cassettes and Cassette Player
Locatis and Atkinson (1984) say that audio media such as
radio, record player and tape recorder are available in most households and
many people have sophisticated audio equipment in their homes. However, the
potential of audio media as an educational tool is too seldom realised.
Talking of audiocassette, also called audiotape, Locatis and
Atkinson (op cit.) say that the audiotape is a narrow plastic ribbon that is
shiny on one side and dull on the other. The dull side contains a layer of
magnetic iron oxide particles and the sound is placed on the tape by
magnetising those particles. These particles can also be read by the tape
recorder/player and sent through an amplifier and speaker to create sound. In
addition, they say that the audiotapes can be erased, recorded, and replayed
several times without any loss of quality.
As far as language teaching is concerned, the teacher can use
the audiotape with a tape recorder and/or tape player in teaching listening. To
do this, he can play recorded texts published for language teaching purposes.
He can also record his own text; either from natural voice or from a live radio
programme broadcast by native speakers. On this, Locatis and Atkinson (op
cit., p.210) say that «Learners can participate in locally produced
programmes or can use those that are available from other sources. Locally
produced programmes can be done by classroom instructors or learners with
little or no prior experience».
2.6.2. CDs and CD player
Locatis and Atkinson (op cit., p.202) define the CD as «A
small one-sided disc upon which digitally coded sound has been placed».
They add that the digital player, which should be compared to a CD player,
reads the coded sound by use of laser beam.
It is to be mentioned that CDs are in the area of advanced
technology and they can be used in various ways. They can be used to display
either audio messages or audio-visual ones, with all these depending on the way
materials were recorded on the CD and on the compatibility of the playing
equipment used. Therefore, in language teaching, CDs should be used in place
of audio tapes and video.
2.6.3. Video Cassettes and Video Player
Lonergan (1984) says that recording on videotape is an
electronic process which is done only with a magnetic tape. But, after
recording, this magnetic tape becomes a material which can be used in language
teaching according to its content. Therefore, films made for language teaching
have the obvious merit of being planned and produced for a language-learning
audience. Hence, it can be produced as a good language teaching material.
Lonergan continues, distinguishing five categories of video
tapes than can be used in language teaching. This distinction is made according
to the content of films or how they are recorded. Those are:
- Video recordings of language teaching broadcasts and
films,
- Video recordings of domestic television broadcast,
- Video recordings of specialist films and television
programs,
- Video language material made for the classroom,
- Self-made video films. (op cit.)
Thus, the language teachers should use any of these video
materials which may be available at school or which they can make themselves.
They can also refer to some great broadcasting institutions aiming at teaching
English language for example and which may provide them with some of these
materials.
It is of a great communicative value to use video films in
language teaching. Therefore, Lonergan (op cit.) says that with video player,
the combination of sound and vision is dynamic, immediate, and accessible.
Therefore, the communication can be shown in a context, and various features of
communicative language can be perceived easily by the learner.
However, he adds that, for many teachers, working with video
recorders and cameras is a new experience. Therefore, teachers should do their
best to be confident in handling and using the video equipment in language
teaching.
Unfortunately, video, especially when used at home has got
such strong connotations of entertainment that many learners, when watching
video language teaching materials, expect that they are entertaining.
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