A Proposal

for Modernisation of Language Laboratory

Facility

by
Dikshant Ashok Solanki

Mumbai University
Mumbai-400000
October 2021
Executive Summary
(i) Project title: Modernisation of language laboratory facility
(ii) Name and designation of the propose: Kumar Arpit Kashiwal, Faculty Member
(iii) Postal address of of the proposer: B/402, Om Sai Ashirwad Apt., Ostwal Nagari,
Nallasopara, Vasai, Maharashtra -401209
(iv) Duration of the project: Six months
(v) Amount of money required: (a) Non-recurring
(i) Hardware Rs. 10.50 lakh
(ii) Software Rs. 01.20 lakh
(b) Recurring Rs. 00.50 lakh
Total Rs. 12.20 lakh
(vi) Brief description:
Th e existing language laboratory is based on spool system, which has become obsolete. Th e
spares for replacement to keep it fully functional are not available. Hence, the entire
equipment needs replacement. Th e main purpose of this proposal is to procure and install a
new 10-booth language laboratory so that it continues to serve as an eff ective technological
aid for enriching and strengthening the language courses designed to inculcate communi
cation skills. Th e secondary purposes are: (a) to develop a centre for imparting in-service
training in communication skills to institute employees as well as professionals; (b) to serve
as a library for individual self-development; and (c) to provide a facility for promoting research
in language learning problem. To realise these purposes, suitable software to meet the
situation-specifi c needs would be produced. The technical expertise is available to take care
of operation and maintenance of the la boratory. Th e Institute has well-qualifi ed staff and a
properly equipped Electronics Department. Th e Department of Humanities has trained
secretarial and technical personnel besides faculty with experience in using language
laboratory facility and produc ing instruction material. Th e existing room, which would be
used for the new system as well, is air-conditioned and sound proof and equipped with
suitable furniture for the installation of the equipment.
Statement of the Problem
The Institute has been conducting a number of programmes in science, engineering, and
management, both at the fi rst degree and higher degree levels. All these programmes require
the development of an ability for eff ective technical and professional communication. To
meet this requirement the Insti tute has been making eff orts through formal classroom
instruction and the organisation of co-curricular activities such as seminars, workshops, etc.
In the past it has conducted communication workshops for human resource development
both for the in-service staff of the Institute and professional organisations. It has also run
communication work shops for faculty and for students to improve their presentation and
discussion techniques. For eff ective development of the communication aspect of human
resource, right from the inception of the Institute, language lab has been used successfully.
But the present Connevans Mark II spool system that was used for this purpose has now
become obsolete and requires replacement.

Objectives
The objective of this proposal is to procure and install a system which can meet the need for
an eff ective technological aid for strengthening the language courses which form part of the
Insti tute’s programmes. Another purpose is to acquire a facility which can serve as an
instrument for the executive development and training programmes of technical personnel
and professionals from other organisations, besides functioning as a centre for research in
language learning problems of the region. The lab would also serve as a library, providing a
variety of material for self-improvement, thus encouraging learner-centred education.
 Technical Plan
It is proposed to go in for a 10-booth lab system with a provi sion for expansion after
ascertaining the response of, and ana lysing the feedback from, the users. The equipment and
material required at present are listed below. The estimated cost and justifi cation for each
item is specifi ed. The first two items relate to the acquisition of hardware and the last three
to the development of software.

Equipment Estimated Justifications

& Material cost (In
lakhs)
(i) Ten students booth 10.00 A reliable and easily
each having a tape operable system is
recorder and headset and required to serve the
teacher’s remote control need for effective
development of
communication skills
(ii) Spares and accessories 00.50 These are essential
for
keeping the lab
operational.
(iii) Blank cassettes 00.10 These would be required
for recording the new
material.
(iv) Audio and 00.60 These are required for use
video instruction and support of
material lab
technology.
(v) Books and journals 00.50 For continuous
updating of
knowledge the access
to latest books & journals
is
imperative.
TOTAL 11.70
Management Plan
The installation of the system would be done by the technical personnel of the
company from which the equipment is bought. The technical staff of the Institute would take
over the responsibil ity of operating and maintaining it after it starts functioning. One senior
technical assistant and one junior technician who have been operating and maintaining the
present lab would continue to look after the new system. The former has 15 years experience
and the latter 3 years experience in this area. Th e supervision and management of lab
activities and production of new teaching material would be done by the following faculty
members:
(i) Dr. C.K. Saraswat, Associate Professor of English
(ii) Dr. Manohar Chopra, Lecturer in English

Dr. Saraswat has been Professor-in-charge of the language lab for the last five years
and Dr. Chopra has been associated with him in teaching and developing lab material for the
last three years. Th ey have jointly published the following seven papers in reputed journals
in the area of English language teaching.
(i) The Notion of Communicative Competence.
(ii) Communicative Approach to Language Teaching: Problems and Principles.
(iii) The Use of Language Laboratory in Speech Training.
(iv) Group Discussion in the Language lab: An Experiment.
(v) Improving Communication Skills through the Language lab.
(vi) Language lab as an Aid to Listening Comprehension.
(vii) Promoting Learner-Centred Language Education.
The first two papers have been published in Th e Journal of Applied Communication
published by the Association of English Studies, New Delhi and the last fi ve in English
Language Learning published by the International Association of Teachers of English as a
Foreign Language, Sussex. They have also authored a book entitled Improving Communication
Skills through Language Laboratory pub lished by Modern Publishers Co. Ltd. New Delhi in
May 2014. So far as secretarial support is concerned, the present staff of the De partment of
Humanities would continue to provide for all lab activities.

Cost Estimate
A total sum of Rs. 11.70 lakh is required for non-recurring expenditure. Out of this Rs. 10.50
lakh is needed for hardware and Rs. 1.20 lakh for software development. The details of the
items of expenditure are given earlier in the Technical Plan section. In addition an estimated
sum of Rs. 0.50 lakh per annum is required for recurring expenditure. The break-up of this
estimate is given below:
 (i) Material required for maintenence Rs. 00.10 lakhs
(ii) Electricity Rs. 00.05 lakhs
(iii) Stationary and contingency Rs. 00.35 lakhs

Total Rs. 00.50 lakhs

The sum for non-recurring expenditure is required for one year. From the second year
onwards, it will be met with from the resources of the Institute.

Conclusion
The aim of technical education is human resource development in specifi c professional areas,
of which communication is an impor tant part. Th e acquisition of this facility would accelerate
the process of training any would undoubtedly enrich professionally-oriented education.