ICLSL 2017
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/18326
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Item The Impact of Attitudes on Second Language Learning and Improvement:A Case Study in Peradeniya.(The Third International Conference on Linguistics in Sri Lanka, ICLSL 2017. Department of Linguistics, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2017) Karunarathne, P.K.Attitudes are considered as an individual difference, which influence in the process of Second Language learning. The aim of the research is to identify whether there is an impact of attitudes on Second Language learning and improvement of the students. Thus, it identifies the relationship between the attitudes of the students and their English language improvement at the end of the 1st year English course. The mixed method comprised of both the quantitative and qualitative data methods are used in order to conduct the research on 78 1st year students at the Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya. The data; a self- directed questionnaire, unstructured interviews and the marks of the students at the placement test and the final mark for the English subject are analysed. Accordingly, it is possible to identify a positive relationship between attitudes of the students and Second Language improvement. 83.3% of the students with positive attitudes towards learning English depict a positive improvement and the language learning and improvement of the students is higher than that of the students with neutral or negative attitudes. Moreover majority of the students having positive attitudes even with a low competency and proficiency in English, that is 74.07% have improved positively while the students with negative attitudes with an average or a good competency and proficiency in English have not depicted a remarkable improvement in English. On the other hand, 61.90% of the students with negative attitudes depict no improvement or a negative trend in language learning. Moreover, irrespective of the language competency, all the students with neutral attitudes depict only an average improvement. In conclusion, it is possible to identify a positive relationship between attitudes and language improvement and it becomes clear that attitudes affect in the process of language improvement of the students. Therefore, it is recommended to pay attention to the attitudes of the students in the course of the language teaching.Item An Analysis of the Contribution of Information and Communication Technology towards the Improvement of the Writing Skills of Second Language Learners.(The Third International Conference on Linguistics in Sri Lanka, ICLSL 2017. Department of Linguistics, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2017) Alfred, R.In the last few years, the focus on information and technology has been increasing dramatically. Information and communication technology has a profound effect on almost all the spheres and its influence and effects on education are noticeably decisive. Language teaching and learning through the internet is remarkable with the opportunities provided by the online resources, network services, and educational software. Moreover, the advances and increasing use of technology have paved way for the most significant changes in the genres of written communication in language use. Most of the undergraduates at University of Jaffna are often unable to produce language in written form and to comprehend the written instructions in their exam papers. Their lack of accuracy and fluency in language usage have resulted in numerous systematic and non-systematic errors which are to be found in their writing. This affects the academic progress of the enrolled learners and results in grave consequences like fossilization in their interlanguage where they are unable to move further in the process of learning their second language. Lack of access to internet and computer, technological devices, resources, network services and educational programmes for writing is the sole reason for such problems in countries like Sri Lanka. This paper, in its mixed method approach, tries to analyse how online tools and services are now increasingly becoming essential and how the students should be encouraged and motivated to use online discourses to develop their writing skills. The students are divided into two groups – control and experimental and through an intervention the conclusion will be drawn out. The research attempts to find out the ways to encourage students to express their learning difficulties freely and improve their skills through technology.Item A Study on the English Language (L2) Proficiency of the Bilingual Education Teachers of the Sri Lankan Government Schools in North Central Province.(The Third International Conference on Linguistics in Sri Lanka, ICLSL 2017. Department of Linguistics, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2017) Abeynayake, T.Bilingual Education (BE) promotes full development of two languages, preparing individuals to function in a global society. It has become a cornerstone of education in the twenty-first century. This study examines whether the English Language (L2) proficiency of the BE teachers of the government schools in the North Central Province helps to facilitate the BE students in their subject matter. The study is based on a complex analysis, which consists of web pages, questionnaires distributed among 50 BE students in the North Central Province, the written documents of 20 selected Bilingual Education teachers, classroom observations and interviews. The data was collected and analyzed manually using Microsoft Office Excel 2007. The findings show that more than 50% of the BE teachers prove that their vocabulary is very poor. Majority of the BE teachers are not using correct English grammar for the purpose of accurate and effective communication. 65% of BE teachers make errors and mistakes when using punctuation marks. The findings strongly decide that majority of the BE learners are exposed to wrong formation of letters. The wrong articulation of words are presented to the BE learners by 90% of the BE teachers and 80% of the BE teachers make errors and mistakes in translation. The results of the research show that various language errors and mistakes are done by the BE teachers of the government schools in the North Central Province. BE learners face a number of problems in acquiring their subject matter due to the lack of English Language proficiency of the teachers. Moreover, this research illustrates whether the teachers, who educate the future generation have acquired the above mentioned competency levels in their education.