A Comparative Study on Modern Foreign Language Classroom and Pāli Classroom in Sri Lankan Monasteries

Abstract

The modern foreign language classroom is developed under the guidelines of the Council of Europe and the Common European Framework of reference for language learning, teaching, and assessment (CEFR) introduces the principles and standards of the modern foreign language classroom. The cultural institute of the Federal Republic of Germany (Goethe Institute) has also developed teaching and learning German as a foreign language with effective techniques. Pāli language is a classical foreign language that transfers Buddhist teachings from generation to generation. The teaching and learning of Pāli language in Sri Lanka has a long history of more than 2300 years and the language is teaching as a subject in more than 800 Buddhist monasteries (Pirivena) in Sri Lanka. However, only a few researchers have attempted to study the Sri Lankan Pāli classroom. There is no evidence of a comparative study between modern foreign language classroom and Pāli classroom in Sri Lanka. This is a qualitative study that aims to explore the nature of Sri Lankan Pāli classroom and modern foreign language classroom. The qualities of Pāli classroom are revealed through observations of seven classrooms and interviews with seven various teachers. The features of modern foreign language classroom are discovered through literary studies. The process of Pāli classroom is based on teacher. In contrast to that, the process of foreign language classroom based on learners. Variant types of learning groups and exercises of the modern foreign language classroom are also applicable to the Pāli classroom in Sri Lanka.