1. How're Languagelab's HBL classes conducted? Languagelab has been leveraging technology in classrooms - with animations, videos and a mobile app - and now, with HBL, the difference is simply that all these are shifted to a home setting. Students enjoy the same level of access to content as before, except now in the safety of their homes. There will be some reduction in face-to-face interactions between teachers and students for sure, but we aim to minimise it through effective use of video technology.
2. How are questions posed during HBL classes? All HBL sessions are supported by automatically marked, online quizzes containing 20 questions in total. Before the start of every quiz and during class discussions, key questions would have been posed too - for students to raise hand (using icons) to answer them. So students would have several rounds of practice before being assigned questions inside the learning guide mailed to each of them.
3. How are questions marked HBL classes? Since quizzes are automatically marked and class discussions would have clarified key questions, the only questions left unmarked are the worksheets inside the learning guide. Answers to these worksheets will be given, after checking that students have completed them. Alternatively, parents may send a screenshot of their children's work, before getting them returned 2-3 days later.
4. How are students taught to use video tech at home? We have implemented using Zoom, an easy solution for video technology and given students a 5-min early log in before each class. The first few classes would start with some basics of using Zoom software to help students acclimatise to its use.
5. How are students helped to match or even exceed their classroom performance? Besides moving all of our content online which students are familiar with, we will be conducting extra lessons every week, during this HBL period, to help students learn more every week, as well as to help them cope with HBL classes at home. This will continue for at least a few weeks, until mid- to end April, to help students get used to learning at home.
Other FAQs
1. Why 350 TOPICS? It is because English has many areas of knowledge and skills not to mention strategies and exceptions. Languagelab has mapped the ENTIRE range of English competencies from reading strategies, speed reading to phonemic awareness, phonetics to creative writing to make it easy for learner of any age.
2. How does Languagelab's SYSTEM work? Students WATCH an animated video to learn key ideas in ONE area of knowledge or skill such as speed reading or characterisation with teacher's guidance. Next, they are quizzed using Language APP to test their new knowledge. Then, teachers issue TARGETED worksheets, with more worksheets for weak language areas and less for stronger ones.
3. What's Languagelab's system BUILT with? It is built with 3 parts - 350 videos, app & targeted worksheets Videos - 350 topics App - quizzes for 350 English topics; to relearn and revise anytime, anywhere after registration as a student Worksheets - targeted for each learner, based on quiz results, for more practice on weaknesses and to build on strengths
4. Why can't reading ALONE help to improve English? Reading is a passive exercise. We can learn SOME grammar and vocabulary in this way but since English has a whole range of language skills and strategies, we need to master these too. It's like learning most skill-based knowledge; we need BOTH theory (vocabulary and grammar) and practical (skills and strategies).
5. What's the DIFFERENCE between Languagelab and other teaching systems? Languagelab has systemised and standardised English with 350 HD videos for every key idea. Each is animated with moving visuals and sound as most learners are visual and auditory. Finally, they are gamified to make them interesting for ALL levels of students, especially for young children. Children at a small age learn through play and older students prefer gaming too, as a quick test of ability. Most systems are either passive (animations or learning videos) or gamified (e-learning) with English grammar and vocabulary; we increase the depth (300 topics) and breadth (animations, gamification and quizzes) for learning.
6. What's the requirement to start learning English with Languagelab? Register for a free 30-min experience of how English is made easy. Each student receives an exclusive Languagelab merchandise and a scorecard showing language strengths and weaknesses. You may then decide on the best course of action for your child.
7. Do I need to buy any supplementary material if my child is already enrolled? There is no need to. All Languagelab students get access to use the full suite of our resources - videos, animations, textbooks, worksheets, past year papers and games - as part of the monthly fee.
