Generally, a lab for any subject matter differs from a regular classroom by providing the Students and Teachers with the tools they need to facilitate hands-on practice with the subject material. Reading is enhanced by incorporating computer-assisted instruction, web-based software, audio and video equipment, and other electronic teaching tools into the language curricula. This applies to all labs including Science labs as well as Language labs.
As we all know, the theory classes for swimming will not help to save his life if he falls in deep water. Likewise effective language learning is possible only by practice.
In a language lab students have to play an active role.
Students listen to (and/or) watch multimedia materials in which native speakers of the target language are talking in an authentic context.
Students converse with their guide (Teacher) and fellow Students in pairs or in groups using the target language.
Students can have control over their lessons. They can play the lesson or any part of the lesson as many times as they wish.
Students can also record their own voice and then play the tape back to compare their pronunciation to that of the native speakers on the tape or listen to themselves speaking the target language.
On the whole, Language labs facilitate a broad range of activities that involve students in listening and speaking the target language. It specifically helps to improve their spoken fluency and reading strategies. The reading texts are selected based on a learner's needs and interests.
