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Texas A&M University - College of Liberal Arts

English Language Institute, Texas A&M University

Language Laboratory

The Language Laboratory, located in the Bell Building, Room 205, supplements classroom instruction. A full range of language development materials is available for student practice. Students are strongly encouraged to use these materials to develop their language skills. Students may use audio-visual materials to practice listening skills, enrich vocabulary, or improve their reading rate. The Language Laboratory also offers computer-assisted instruction, which gives students the opportunity to work with word processing programs, the internet communications network, and language skill development programs. In addition to being a component of regular course work, the Language Laboratory is designed to help students develop their skills at their own pace and in areas of personal interest.

Software Available on Laboratory Computers

In addition to basic software packages, language software available on lab computers include:

  • Cambridge Dictionary
  • Cambridge GMAT Review
  • Clear Speech Works
  • English Mastery-Student
  • Longman Preparation Course-CBT Volume Tutorial
  • Monopro
  • NOPD
  • Powerprep GRE
  • Pronunciation Power
  • Softsource Multimedia Vocabulary
  • Super Success
  • TOEFL Mastery
  • TOEFL Mastery-CBT
  • TOEFL Mentor
  • TOEFL Sampler

Usage Policy

The English Language Institute provides the Language Laboratory for students to do course work, personal computing, or printing needs pursuant to their studies at Texas A&M University. Students found to be using the Language Laboratory facilities for purposes other than legitimate course work, personal computing, or printing needs will be asked to leave the lab.

All computers are configured to provide a specific suite of application software that meets the needs of most students. The Language Laboratory is not equipped to support all commercially available software. Students are not allowed to load personal software on computer hard drives. Personal software that can be run from a floppy disk or CD is allowed on all machines. Computer games are not allowed on the machines in the Language Laboratory. Students running games will be asked to close the game and leave the Language Laboratory. Please be considerate of others that need to do college assignments and adhere to this policy.

Students are required to provide their own diskettes and CDs. The Language Laboratory does not provide students with blank diskettes or blank CDs.

English Language Institute Language Laboratory Guidelines

  • Students are not allowed to reconfigure, setup, and/or install files in the personal computers located in the Language Laboratory. Storing unauthorized software on the lab computers is not allowed. Students are not authorized to plug/unplug cables from the rear of computers.

  • Food and drink will not be allowed in the Language Laboratory. Students with food or drink will be asked to leave the lab.

  • Our lab technicians are trained to provide basic help to lab users. They are able to help you get started with homework, start your applications, offer help with printing, restarting computers and applications. They can provide general information on Windows. Lab technicians are not trained to debug programs or analyze output.

  • A printer is provided at no charge to you. There is a 5-page printing limit per day per student. Any additional printed copies made after the 5 page limit will not be given to the student.

  • No student will be allowed to use his/her own media equipment. The reason for this is that there are compatibility issues with the lab media. We cannot make our media and computer equipment compatible with every student's equipment.

  • Students will only be allowed to use email accounts that are authorized by Texas A&M University. Students will have to use another lab on campus to check non-Texas A&M University email accounts.

Actions that constitute abuse of network, Internet, or e-mail resources include:

  • Engaging in behavior that impedes normal use of network, internet, or email resources
  • Attempting to gain unauthorized access to resources or information.
  • Using Language Laboratory resources in violation of federal, state, or local law
  • Running servers that in anyway utilize Language Laboratory resources
  • Using Language Laboratory resources for commercial purposes
  • Presenting a misleading or false electronic identity
  • Using Language Laboratory computing resources in order to circumvent or violate copyright law
  • Deploying computing resources in a manner that violates the Language Laboratory Policy on Harassment and Free Speech
  • Using computing resources to violate the Rules for Responsible Computing

Actions that constitute abuse of Language Laboratory computer labs, equipment, or physical resources include:

  • Engaging in behavior that impedes normal use of labs or equipment
  • Use of tobacco products within the labs
  • Bringing alcohol into labs
  • Failing to abide by posted lab policies or the instructions of Language Laboratory
  • Using labs, equipment, or resources in a manner that violates federal, state, or local law
  • Attempting to tamper with, misuse, or illegitimately access equipment, hardware, software, or space
  • Using Language Laboratory equipment, software, or resources to circumvent or violate copyright law
  • Leaving restricted accounts unattended or distributing some secure logon information
  • Behavior that violates the Rules for Responsible Computing

Policy statements regarding computer usage of Texas A&M University Information Resources can be found in the Texas A&M University Rules, Sections 33.04.99.M2 & 33.04.99.M3, the Texas A&M University Student Rules, Section 22 & Appendix V, and CIS Policy Web site.