The use of L1 strategies to encourage speech in L2 classes

Abstract

Special Degree in Library Science is a programme of study offered by the University of Kelaniya and proficiency in English language is a pre-requisite needed to register for it. Although students' language ability related to writing and reading in English which they had acquired in school help them manage their academic work during undergraduate period, they meet their Waterloo on leaving campus; at the job market. Very often other candidates having relatively less academic achievement with regard to Library Science but are more fluent than them in English speech grab the job opportunities for which they are most suited. This disaster is not specific to library science graduates only but common to counterpart too in other faculties. The cause responsible for this is the uncalled for importance both public and private sectors in Sri Lanka attach to English language.