English
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/2509
Browse
4 results
Search Results
Item “Enhancing TESL in Sri Lankan Universities through the use of Sri Lankan Literature Written in English”(University of Kelaniya, 2013) Niles, S.This research study is an attempt to explore the possibilities of using English literary work by Sri Lankan authors to enhance the experience of learning English as a Second Language (ESL) in local Universities in Sri Lanka. This research bases itself on the premise that literature produced by Sri Lankans within a local context would enable students to gain a better understanding of the practical usage of the English language. Though the usage of literature has often been limited, the role of literature has been re-assessed and it is possible to view literary texts as providing rich linguistic input and effective stimuli for students to express themselves while acting as a potential source for learner motivation. Therefore this paper wishes to delve into the manner in which Sri Lankan literature (mainly poems), which is culturally appropriate, can be used to enhance English language teaching to the University undergraduates. In addition to the expected outcome of the study, it is also assumed that a number of other objectives would be met through this research. The use of English literature within the ESL classroom would enhance the oral skills and reading habits of undergraduates, facilitate critical thinking and develop awareness and sensitivity among students. The research will be conducted through classroom-based experiments and observation. This study will also seek to inform the production of teaching/learning materials that can be used effectively to ensure that the teaching/learning capacity within the ESL classrooms in Sri Lankan universities is enhanced through the use of Sri Lankan literature written in English.Item A study of Sinhalizations in Sinhala-English Mixed Discourse(Advances in Language and Literary Studies, 2014) Senaratne, C.D.W.Pronunciation plays a vital role in creating a language acceptable to all. This is also true in the case of Sri Lankan English (hereafter SLE). This study concentrates mainly on the phonological features of non-standard SLE, identified mainly by deviations in pronunciation of a few vowels and consonants. The objective of this paper is to analyze the terms characterized as non-standard by using Muysken?s theory on Code Mixing. The proposed analysis will categorize elements into insertion and congruent lexicalization strategies. The study will analyze recorded speech of 20 urban bilinguals to obtain data. Self-assessment questionnaires will be used to determine attitudes towards phonologically marked items. Results will reveal that terms which are phonologically marked as non-standard. These phonologically marked items identified as Sinhalizations show more affinity to Sinhala phonology and are based on the speaker?s first language. They are products of a grammaticalisation process.Item Online assessments of English skills in Sri Lanka(Journal on Education and New Learning Technologies Journal (EDULEARN12, IATED, 2012) Senaratne, C.D.W.Online assessments schemes are increasingly becoming popular in Sri Lanka. It is not only an attractive method but also provides many opportunities to asses a large population of students at the same time. In 2011, two online tests were conducted as a part of the pre-orientation program (POP), conducted by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) to improve and enhance English Language skills of new entrants. The first online test (pre-test) was conducted to assess the level of English when new entrants enter Sri Lankan universities and the second online test was conducted at the end of the POP to gauge the level of improvement students have achieved after following the course. This paper analyses the results of both online assessments. The tests were conducted for a population of more than 14, 000 new entrants to Sri Lankan universities. The findings of the study have provided significant insights into developing and designing mass scale online tests and undergraduate courses in Sri Lankan universities. The data will shed light on undergraduate course requirements (designing and developing curriculum, improving teaching and learning methods) and subsequent employment requirements. The findings of the study reveal that students? English language competencies prior to and after following the POP have significantly changed. It also indicates that the level of English of the new entrants from urban areas in Sri Lanka is significantly similar. Based on the results of the study, students can be categorized into different UTEL (University Test of the English Language) benchmark levels. The findings of the study have provided significant insights into developing and designing mass scale online tests and undergraduate courses in Sri Lankan universities. Based on the test results, Sri Lankan universities are now able to benchmark their students into respective undergraduate courses and aim at higher levels of proficiency in English. The results are indicative of students who are at lower levels. Overall, the results provide significant insights for policy makers, English language teachers, course designers and academics of Sri Lankan universities The data will shed light on undergraduate course requirements (designing and developing curriculum, improving teaching and learning methods) and subsequent employment requirements. The findings of the study have provided significant insights into developing and designing mass scale online tests and undergraduate courses in Sri Lankan universities. The data will shed light on undergraduate course requirements (designing and developing curriculum, improving teaching and learning methods) and subsequent employment requirements.Item Borrowings or code mixes: The presence of lone English nouns in mixed discourse(Humanities Journal, Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya, 2013) Senaratne, C.D.W.This paper proposes to analyze the presence of English nouns in the discourse of Sinhala-English bilingual speakers in Sri Lanka. In the present analysis, lone English nouns are categorized into code mixes or borrowings depending on the nature of integration into the borrower language. The analysis of single word and multi-word compound nouns in the Sinhala-English corpus is based on the empirical claims and observations made by Muysken (2000).The study will make use of English lexical items most commonly used by Sinhala-English bilinguals. The analysis to distinguish lexical items into borrowings and code mixes is based on Muysken?s (2000) Code mixing typology. Poplack?s (1998) theory of nonce borrowing is also used to distinguish mixes from borrowings. The theory presented by Muysken (2000) is applied to the lone lexical items present most prominently in the discourse of Sinhala- English bilinguals in Sri Lanka to identify code mixes and borrowings. As Code Mixing is an integral part of the contextualization process of English in Sri Lanka, the reasons for acculturation and nativization are also analyzed. The analysis will shed light on the much argued topic whether code mixes are borrowings or not.