Browsing by Author "Kariyawasam, K.B.G.W.S."

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Effectiveness of Using Grammar - Translation and Direct methods in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language
(Department of Linguistics, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Kariyawasam, K.B.G.W.S.
The Chinese language is the most popular language in all over the world. In recent years, Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language (TCFL) has caused a mania in the world with more schools and universities opening up Chinese courses. Chinese Language is one of the five major languages of United Nations Organisation and second language of Australia and the United States of America. Although there are many studies focusing on the speaking and reading comprehension abilities of the learners, studies on different teaching methods and their impacts on listening, speaking, reading and writing comprehensions of the learners are not so common. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to compare the Grammar - Translation Method and the Direct Method in TCFL and to examine their impacts on the speaking ability of the learners. The theme of this study was include Grammar - Translation Method and those for TCFL speaking development. Data was collected from the internal students reading B.A. Special degree in Chinese at the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka by a using questionnaire. The results of the study depict that the students think that the Grammar - Translation Method help improve learning Chinese and can increase the comprehension level by Sinhalese - Chinese and English - Chinese translation in class. Additionally, the Direct Method has increased learning motivation, interactive conversation and beneficial Chinese learning environment. These findings will be helpful in teaching Chinese as a foreign language in an improved manner.
Incorrect Chinese Characters Writing of University Students
(University of Kelaniya, 2015) Kariyawasam, K.B.G.W.S.
Chinese hand writing (pictograph) is very important and special part of the Chinese collective psyche, that language is more than just a communication tool which indicates people’s character. The orders of strokes are extremely important in learning how to write Chinese. So learning of stroke order is extremely important in Chinese characters writing. Therefore as the first step of preserve characters writing, students should use to write in square rule books. While writing Chinese characters in square rule books students can write Chinese characters properly. The aim of this study was to find out what are the reasons for failing to write correct Chinese characters. Out of 140 first year students who read for B.A (General) Degree in Chinese at University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka more than 50 students were failed to write Chinese characters properly. The major reasons are students’ didn’t understand and remember the correct stroke order of Chinese characters, and number of strokes for the relevant Chinese character. Also, they used to think that it isn’t important to remember that stroke order and numbers of strokes of the Chinese character. The other important reasons are most of the students not attend to the lectures regularly, not study and practice properly. So it’s very important to make students participate for all the lectures and teach them to practice the Chinese characters regularly and evaluate and encourage them by frequent class assignments and tests In order to improve the capability and knowledge of correct Chinese character writing.
“Mithura” from peal of the Indian ocean to dragon’s land
(Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2014) Kariyawasam, K.B.G.W.S.
Problems associated with the use of Communicative Language Teaching in teaching Chinese as a foreign language
(Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Kariyawasam, K.B.G.W.S.
New language teachers have shifted to adopt the communicative language teaching (CLT) approach after noticing the failure of form focusing approach in developing learners' communicative ability in real life situations. CLT method has been identified as the functional approach. The rationale of the CLT approach is that the teacher should act as a facilitator to create a student-centered classroom and engage learners in authentic-like and meaningful communications with the goal to increase comprehensible language input for learners, expecting them to generate more output. If the target of foreign language teaching is to use the language, CLT seems to be an ideal teaching model. The aim of this study was to find out the difficulties faced by teachers in using CLT method in teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language (CFL) at the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka (UOKSL). Data were collected from the Chinese language teachers at UOKSL by a using questionnaire, semi-structured interviews and class room observations. Results depict that indoor class room environment and a large number of students of the classes may lead to the failure of CLT. Awareness of these problems and the possible remedies such as small group classes, outdoor activities can be helpful for both CFL teachers and learners, providing them with insightful ideas about how to manage their teaching and learning activities for the successful implementation of this method.
Tendency of Learning Chinese as a Foreign Language among Sri Lankan University Students
(Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Kariyawasam, K.B.G.W.S.
Chinese language is the most popular language in all over the world .Chinese Language is one of the five major languages of United Nations Organization and second language of Australia and United States of America. Although, Chinese is not an official Language in Sri Lanka most of the students are learning Chinese as a foreign language. Chinese is taught as a foreign language in Schools, Universities and Confucius Institutes and also number of students are going to china to study Chinese. University of Kelaniya (UOK) offers general and special degree in Chinese and certificate courses. Sabaragamuwa university of Sri Lanka, Confucius Institute of UOK, China Radio International (CRI) Confucius classroom, Lumbini College and Bandaranaike Center for International Studies (BCIS) also conduct degree programs and certificate courses. The aim of this study was to find out the reasons for the popularity of Chinese Language among university students in Sri Lanka. Data for this study was collected from internal students who are reading B.A General and Special degree in Chinese. Data were collected from the annual reports (2011-2015) of department of Modern Languages, University of Kelaniya. Students think studying of Chinese has advantages for finding jobs in tourist industry and getting scholarships for higher education in China. These findings will be help to promote Chinese as a foreign language.
Understanding Demotivating Factors in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language among Advanced Level Students
(Centre for Chinese Studies, Department of Modern Languages, Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Kariyawasam, K.B.G.W.S.; Kandambi, S.U.
විදේශීය භාෂාවක් ලෙස චීන භාෂාව ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ ඉගැන්වීම: ආරම්භයේ සිට වර්තමානය දක්වා
(Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Kariyawasam, K.B.G.W.S.
Sri Lanka which is known as the pearl of the Indian Ocean has a deep rooted relationship with China that dates back to many centuries. This long-standing tie led both countries to expand their economic relationships. There are many students who follow Chinese language. On the other hand, there is a vast increase in the number of Chinese students learning the Sinhalese language. This enhancement facilitates people in both countries to develop their friendship. Hence, the rapport between Sri Lanka and China will be stronger in the future than today.