Foreign Language Lab: Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about Tutorials
What is a tutorial?
It is an opportunity to have an experienced tutor help you understand and learn more about the structure, grammar, interpretation, nuance, and cultural background of the language, and it provides practical listening and speaking skills development.
Who are the tutors?
The tutors are Liberty University students who are native speakers or have native speaking ability. They are carefully screened and are trained and evaluated on an ongoing basis by the Foreign Language Lab (FLL) administration.
What do I bring with me?
Bring all study materials (textbooks, CDs, handouts, assignment instructions, etc) with you. If you have any relevant, previously graded assignments from a particular professor, you may want to bring those as well, so our tutors can get a sense of the general audience and standards for the course work.
(NOTE: Our purpose is to work in conjunction with our highly qualified language professors, and we will not contradict their standards or requirements in any way.)
How much help will the tutors give me?
The FLL tutors are trained in techniques that enable you to complete the work—not to do it for you. Tutors know to ask questions instead of mandating, and they continually monitor each other in order to avoid giving too much help.
What if the tutor tells me something different than my professor does?
Tutors respect professors' expertise and will never question a professor's instructions, evaluate a professor's teaching, or speculate about how an assignment should be graded. If a FLL tutor has a question about a professor's guidelines or standards, then he will talk to that professor one-on-one to attempt to understand how to serve that professor's needs more effectively. The FLL is to be a classroom aid, not a hindrance!
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Frequently Asked Questions about Conversation Groups
What is a conversation group?
A conversation group is a gathering of people with a similar need or interest in discussion, practice, and improvement of their listening and speaking language skills.
What do you do at a conversation group?
You talk informally, sharing your thoughts, asking questions, and practicing your language skills.
What do you talk about?
Discussion leaders generally set a topic for the night's conversation; however, participants may feel free to suggest a topic as well. (The topic is just to get a conversation started—it may go in any direction.)
Why should I go to a conversation group?
It is a chance to practice using foreign languages. The more comfortable you get with speaking and writing in the language you’re studying, the more productive your schooling will be.
Do I need an appointment?
You do not need an appointment to attend one of the scheduled conversation groups; however, if the scheduled times do not work with your agenda, call (434) 592-6514 or email foreignlanguagelab@liberty.edu to schedule an appointment.
