Frequently Asked Questions

The LRC is located in Asbury 4 (the basement in the north wing).

The LRC is wheelchair accessible by chair lift. In order to use the chair lift, visit Shelley Reeves in Disability Services (x3312) to get a key. The chair lift is available from the LRC's exterior entrance. To avoid the steps in the courtyard, enter Asbury South ramp entrance (as if going to the registrar's office). Exit on the first floor (the floor on which you will enter the building) and exit into the Asbury courtyard. (In inclement weather you can come through the building). Straight ahead you will see the chair lift. If you have questions please call the LRC operations desk at x2396.

The department requires that all students taking a French, German, Spanish, or Russian class submit a copy of their placement scores during the first week of class. The LRC administers placement exams on a walk-in basis. Please be sure to allow at least one hour prior to the time that the LRC closes to allow you enough time to complete the exam.

The online generated Language Placement Test for French, German, Spanish and Russian takes approximately 30 minutes, but has no time limitations. The test may be accessed from any computer with an Internet connection at: http://webcape.byuhtrsc.org/?acct=american

The use of LRC resources is available on a walk in basis with priority given to students registered in LFS courses. Students, faculty and guests are required to check-in at the front desk.

The LRC will provide a check-in system at the Operations desk for instructors that request you sign- in for class credit. At the end of each week your instructor may request a printout of his or her students' activity in the lab.

Your instructor determines what supplemental materials you will be using in the LRC during the semester. Your textbook may include audio or video cassettes available at the LRC. Additional services that your instructor may require you to use in the LRC include: foreign language broadcasts, interactive laser discs, or interactive software. The LRC also strives to make available the current texts that most first-, second-, and third-year courses are using. For a more extensive listing of available supplemental materials including video cassettes and books, please visit our online resource database.

The LRC provides spell checking capability in most languages taught by the department. The easiest way to spell check your documents is to save them to your university drive (g:/ drive) and come to the LRC to check them.

In order to use audio cassettes, video tapes, CD-ROMs, or laser discs while in the LRC, you must provide the LRC operations desk with your AU ID. The operations desk will hold your ID until you return the borrowed items.

If you are registered in the current semester, you may print up to 2 copies of work for your LFS class for free. Additional copies cost $0.10/page. Additionally, if your are not printing work for an LFS class, the charge for printing is also $0.10/page.

If the textbook for your course is accompanied by audio cassettes, they will be available in the LRC. If the department has copyright permission to lend them out, you may be able to borrow them for use at home.
However, most students find that listening to audio on the lab computer is very convenient.

At the beginning of the semester, you may borrow one audio cassette which has the first lesson of your textbook pre-recorded. You must provide a valid AU ID. In the event that you are not on the list of students registered in an LFS course, you may need to provide proof of registration. At the time you pick up your audiocassette, you will also be registered for free laser printing.
Note: All audio cassettes remain the property of American University and must be returned to the LRC at the end of the semester.

In order to get future lessons, you must bring your original audio cassette to trade for the next cassette in the series. To trade your tape, you will drop your cassette in a return basket and take the next cassette in the series from the drawer. The LRC will strive to make available pre-recorded cassettes of all lessons available.
Note: According to copyright restrictions, you may not record any LRC materials onto your own personal cassettes.

Water is the only thing permitted to be consumed in the lab.

Developed and maintained by LRC staff
Date last updated: 10/01/2007