Criteria for Selecting Types of Foreign-Language Laboratory Systems. ERIC Focus Reports on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, Number 20.

Focusing on the current status of the language laboratory in instructional use, this report stresses the need to employ a systems approach in the selection and operation of laboratory equipment. The author points out the interrelatedness of the key factors in any system, including: (1) people, (2) method, (3) instructional materials, (4) equipment, and (5) facilities. Three basic types of laboratories are described: the "audio-passive" (listen-only mode), "audio-active" (listen-respond mode), and the "audio-active-compare" (listen-respond-record mode). The function of the laboratory is related to design, manufacture, and selection of equipment. Criteria concerning pedagogical, technical, and administrative matters are suggested. A selected bibliography concludes the report. (RL)