The Magnetic Tape Recorder in the Elementary German Listening Program

Abstract

Our age is one of gadgetry, and so it is not at tall unusual that teachers of languages have become conditioned to the use of mechanical and electronic devices to supplement the work of the classroom. There seems to be very little apprehension that the machine will eventually displace the teacher; therefore it can be accepted calmly as the aid which it is and can be assigned its proper role. Indeed, the modern language teacher today is under some compulsion to take an interest in the development and use of audio-visual aids. And since language teachers must compete for students, we might say, too, that the use of audio-visual aids has some advertising value in the academic market place. Obviously, few language departments or language teachers command a budget that will enable them to purchase, install and maintain equipment for an elaborate phonetics laboratory or center. This does not mean, however, that only a fortunate few may enjoy the benefits of a listening program. It is possible to organize such a program for elementary German courses if one has nothing more than a magnetic tape recorder and a room where students may come to listen, and where they will not be disturbed by or disturb others. The initial cost of such a tape recorder is quite low, and it should not be too difficult to approach administrators with a request for one. The tape recorder is simple, easy to use, and economical to operate. It is also versatile, for it can be used as a recorder, a playback, and a public address system. The fact that it is easily portable makes it possible to use it anywhere to record speech, music, and particularly interviews with native Germans who might find it inconvenient to come to speak to a class. Where the budget permits the purchase of nothing more than the tape recorder and a few reels of tape, students will have to use the loudspeaker with which the machine is equipped. Often, when several students listen simultaneously to a tape with the aid of the loudspeaker, the effectiveness of the listening experience is reduced. Certain students are under some restraint in the presence