Thiruvananthapuram: The state-run Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education (KITE) has announced a special initiative for enhancing and enriching English language proficiency of students by making use of hi- tech lab facilities in schools.

The ambitious project is titled E3 (Enjoy, Enhance and Enrich).

In an official statement, the State minister for General Education, C Raveendranath said that training would be given to all teachers and the project would be implemented fully in the academic year.

"The project aims to enhance and enrich English learning of students in an enjoyable atmosphere effectively making use of technology in schools in Kerala," said K Anvar Sadath, CEO, KITE.

The project has three components. The first is Samagra e-Library, a digital repository of international standard digital books, he said in a statement.

The books, including audio and video formats, will be available to all students in four levels. Already 200 digital multicoloured story books were uploaded in Samagra e-Library.

The second is e-Language lab, which will have language lab software that will provide opportunities for students to enhance their listening, speaking, reading, writing, pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary.

Students can work in e-language lab alone with the support of the mentor teacher at their own pace of learning. KITE has already customised the engine for language lab by using Free and Open Source Software, the CEO explained.

The third component, e-Broadcast, includes multimedia programme. The broadcast lessons will help learners use English in conversational and academic contexts in an interactive mode. This shall also be screened in KITE Victers channel.

KITE has planned to provide training to all primary and upper primary teachers during mid summer vacation for implementing E3 English in schools, he said.

E3 English teacher training will be a technology integrated training providing hands on experience to teachers on using Samagra e-Library and e-Language lab.

Along with KITE, SCERT will do the academic monitoring of the project and the Director of General Education will monitor the implementation of the project in schools by teachers, the official added.

KITE is the first SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle) to get funded from Kerala Infrastructure And Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) established by the state government to support projects worth Rs 50,000 crore in five years.