Browsing by Author "Cooray, M."

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Adjunct Model of Language Instruction for collaboration between language and content with the onset of English medium instruction
(University of Kelaniya, 2013) Cooray, M.
Knowledge of English is indispensable to present day undergraduates since English has become the medium of instruction in many disciplines. The undergraduates need support to cope with the requirements of English medium instruction. It has been frequently observed that though there are many English language proficiency courses available for the undergraduates most of the time they are not up to the expectations of the learner community. Smoke (1988, as cited in Kinsey, 2008) says that “ESL6 students … did not feel that their ESL classes had adequately prepared them for their academic content courses” (pp 5-6). According to research one of the main reasons for this dissatisfaction is the “artificial separation between language instruction and subject matter classes which exists in most educational settings” (Brinton, Snow& Wesche,1989 : 2). This study was conducted with the objective of bridging the gap between the language classroom and the content classroom through collaboration among English teachers and subject teachers. This collaboration was established through Adjunct Model of Language Instruction, a prototype form of Content Based Language Instruction. This study was conducted in relation to the first year under graduates in the Faculty of Management and Finance, University of Colombo. A group of first year undergraduates with the lowest proficiency level of English was selected as the sample of the study. During this study questionnaires were administered among students, English teachers, and subject teachers to get their opinion on how to finetune the proficiency courses in English. An achievement test was administered to judge what students had achieved at the end of the course. A course evaluation was also conducted through questionnaires. The findings revealed that multi-disciplinary collaboration benefits the learner community and the facilitators.
Issues of Apology and Compensation for Portuguese Destruction
(University of Kelaniya, 2005) Cooray, M.
A. Acts of misdeeds, misdemeanors, crimes, by the Roman Catholic Church, Clergy and their agents after the Portuguese occupation 1505 to 1656 Degradation of Human life: Mass scale forcible expulsions, deportations, imprisonment, abuse of various sorts, including sexual abuse, slavery: Pope Nicholas V issued the Bull Romans Pontifix to King Alfonso V of Portugal 1454 January 8th. Papal Bull 4th May 1493 Interacactra [to invade, search out, capture, vanquish, subdue all Saracens (Muslims, Arabs, Jews, Orthodox, and pagan/local religions) whatsoever and goods whatsoever held and possessed by them and to reduce their persons to perpetual slavery] Activities included, destruction of life through Individual and mass murder, religious cleansing, war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity, destruction of property,. wanton devastation and destruction of property and lands, Buddhist temples, Hindu Kovils, mosques, books, libraries and objects of cultural importance and value. Taking away/expropriation of treasure: Papal Bull 4th May 1493 [and to apply and appropriate to himself and his successors, the kingdom, dukedom, counties, principalities dominions, possession and goods and to convert them to his and their use and profit] Religious conversion by use of force, coercion and the sword, by allurement and incentives and not by Conviction, religious and cultural genocide, wanton destruction and eradication of an ancient culture and civilisation. Legal and other Relief available to be pursued: Apology by the Pope, Vatican and the Church. The Pope has already apologised and asked for forgiveness for the injustices and cruelty done by the Church to, among others, Muslims, Jews, Protestants, the Orthodox churches, China and for the injustices done to local and indigenous peoples. Return of looted treasure. Objects of Art, Request Compensation. Fundamental condition for an apology is that it is based on repentance and compensation. Justice served if expropriated fortune redistributed to the victims. To sue for crimes: Genocide/ War crimes/ Crimes against humanity. Suing for compensation, [there are already precedents for example the Australian Aboriginals want to go before courts in Belgium]. Suing under the body of law, namely International Humanitarian Law, which exists in the form of both conventional and customary -law. Such actions are guided by: The Geneva Convention of August 1949; Hague Convention of 1907; Laws and Customs of War on Land; Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes of Genocide 09/12/48;) Charter of International Military Tribunal August 1945 and Domestic Law, in so far it incorporates International Humanitarian Law
The Origin of the “Dance of the May” (Tanz in den Mai) and its Heathen Beliefs
(Department of Modern Languages, Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Cooray, M.
The Struggle of Level 1 Undergraduates in Coping with Writing Requirements
(University of Kelaniya, 2012) Cooray, M.
In a technologically driven world, the government, with the consultation of responsible authorities has been adopting numerous methods in improving the English language proficiency of its citizens, especially the undergraduates. Despite its initiatives, it has been observed that the number of Level 1 (Beginner’s Level) students has been increasing over the past few years, especially in the Faculties of Arts and Management. This research was conducted in relation to the writing difficulties of Level 1 students in the Faculty of Management and Finance, University of Colombo. Level 1 students were selected since their situation in this Faculty is very serious as the medium of instruction in this Faculty is English. Writing difficulties were selected as worthy of investigation since writing is frequently observed as a difficult skill for any language user. As Richards (1990:100) states, “…learning to write in either a first or second language is one of the most difficult tasks a learner encounters and one that few people can be said to fully master.” In conducting this research a placement test was administered for the first year undergraduates (2011/2012 batch) to identify Level 1 students. The sample was selected through disproportionate stratified random sampling. Their writing difficulties were identified through the answer scripts. Incorporating their difficulties a Remedial English program was designed and conducted. At the end of the course a post test was given. Further, questionnaires were administered to students, subject experts and English teachers. The post test given at the end of the Remedial English program showed that 88% of students in the selected sample have improved their writing skills. This program benefitted the students with the lowest proficiency level of English. However, there is still a long way for them to go to achieve language fluency. Therefore, throughout their academic career they should be constantly supported and guided in order to empower them with English language proficiency in an environment in which English plays a key role.
Students' attendance in English courses offered by English Language Teaching Units in Universities
(University of Kelaniya, 2008) Cooray, M.
Students' attendance in Proficiency Courses in English offered by English Language Teaching Units ( ELTUs) in universities is claimed to be deteriorating in comparison to attendance in other lectures. This problem is common to a considerable number of universities such as university of Colombo, Sri-Jayawardanapura, Kelaniya and Ruhuna especially in the faculties of Arts, Management and Law. There is research to prove that absenteeism can be a demotivating factor, which can have a negative impact on administration, lecturers, instructors and the students who regularly participate in lectures. When the students get absent for English lessons the repercussions are severe as English is a language, which has to be acquired through lot of practice. This study was an attempt to investigate the causes pertaining to poor attendance in English courses offered by ELTUs in universities. It was conducted with a special focus to the faculty of Management and Finance, University of Colombo. In conducting this research students attendance registers were analyzed. Questionnaires were administered. Interviews and group discussions were conducted. Chi-squire test of independence was applied in relation to attendance and performance. At the end of the research inconvenient time tables, the load of work in the main subjects and the professional subjects, lack of interest, unsatisfactory classroom conditions, traditional teaching methods and outdated lesson materials are investigated as notable factors that affect attendance.
The Transformation of the Folk Witch into the Fairy Witch in Children’s and Household Tales of the Brothers Grimm
(Department of Modern Languages, Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Cooray, M.