Language Resource Center

The Language Resource Center, aka the “Language Lab”, is a modern learning center rich with media and resources that will guide you through the beginning semesters of your foreign language studies and beyond. Located on the second floor of Mackinac Hall (D wing), in room D-2-221, the LRC is conveniently close to most language classes and professor offices. Lab assistants are always happy to take your call at 331-2507, no matter what the question. If you find yourself in a lower-division class (100- and 200-level), you will need to spend at least 50 minutes per week studying in the LRC as part of your course grade. Because access to the LRC is limited to students enrolled in a foreign language, you will easily be able to acquire those 50 minutes if you plan accordingly. Don’t be shy, the LRC is also a great place to visit with an hour or two free in between classes, just to see a movie or listen to our international music collection.

Film & Video Resources

The LRC provides students with over 2000 feature-film and cultural video titles, in every language offered by the department. No matter what your taste in movies, you can find something to entertain you here, for free, all while improving your language and cultural skills.

Audio Resources

With most lower division language textbooks comes a collection of lab audio CDs which factor in as part of the course curriculum. The CDs are made available through the LRC in a number of ways, including eVideon, the LRC’s online media server accessible from any computer on or off campus, and as a hard copy available to students for use within the Lab. In case you lost your CDs or your textbook didn’t come with any, as is the case with many used books, we will gladly make copies for you – We ask only that you provide a blank CD and you’re ready to go!

Computing Resources

The LRC offers to the department’s students a departmental computer lab, reserved solely for foreign language homework, study, and research. We have a collection of educational software for students to develop their conversational skills, study Chinese characters, and do anything else that their language demands. If a student needs to write a paper in a foreign language, accents and special characters are easily accessible with keyboard shortcuts, and foreign keyboard layouts. Other programs that may be useful to your language study have been installed on the computers, which allow flash card creation, and beginner-level video or audio production.

Placement Tests

For students with prior language study in French, Russian, Spanish, or German, Placement tests are available to assist in finding a course at the appropriate level. Placement tests are done on a walk-in basis, taking between 20-40 minutes to complete, and are fully computer-administered. Simply come to the LRC with a student ID ready and ask to begin the test. Please note that the placement test available at the LRC is not related to the CLEP credit-by-examination test and does not award credit. It simply allows you to enroll in the class appropriate for your level, fulfilling the prerequisites required for that class.