Symposia & Conferences
Permanent URI for this communityhttp://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/10219
Browse
2 results
Search Results
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 Music as an effective tool to increase levels of motivation, entertainment, and self-confidence of ESL learners(Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Gamage, S.U.This study attempts to investigate whether music can be implemented as an effective tool in the ESL classrooms to increase motivation level, entertainment, and self-confidence among ESL learners. The hypothesis of the study was the use of English songs in an ESL classroom increase motivation level, entertainment and self- confidence among Sri Lankan ESL Learners. The sample of this study consists of 80 students from the Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. This sample was divided into two groups as the control group and the experimental group. The control group was taught English verb forms in a traditional classroom setting whereas the experimental group was exposed to a teaching session of English verb forms using English songs. After that, a Likert-type scale questionnaire was distributed to rate the feelings and the attitudes of the students of the two groups in terms of the application and non-application of music in ESL classrooms.SPSS data package was used to analyze the data gathered from the questionnaires. The results of the study showcased that, the students of the experimental group (Group 18) have given a higher positive feedback about the English session than the control group (Group 03). In other words, the students who got exposed to background music and English songs in the ESL classroom has turned the classroom into an enjoyable and relaxing setting where the students’ interest, self-confidence, and motivation towards learning English verb forms have achieved an immense growth.