Press Releases 2005

American Library Inaugurates English Language Lab

December 7, 2005

MUMBAI-- The American Information Resource Center (AIRC), formerly known as American Center Library, today inaugurated a new collection of resource materials on the English language, called the "ESL (English as Second Language) Lab," aimed at promoting the teaching of American English.  This collection is available for students of the English language, and would be of particular help for educators seeking to improve their language-teaching skills.

Mr. Richard Boyum, the U.S. Embassy's recently-appointed Regional English Language Officer, who supports the teaching of English through various programs, including teacher-training in South Asia, inaugurated the new section. The ESL Lab consists of 500 books, multimedia kits, videos, audiocassettes and CD-ROMs.  He also conducted a training module titled "Internet Resources for English Language Teaching, Training and Professional Development" for an audience comprising teachers, school principals and librarians.

The AIRC provides current, reliable and comprehensive information on contemporary American politics, government, economics and trade, rule of law and a wide range of global issues.  It has recently extended its hours of operation on Tuesdays and Thursdays, when it is now open 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m., and offers free Internet surfing to its members.