Symposia & Conferences

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Ways to be Adapted to Increase the Pass Rate in English Language in the G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination in Vanni Schools.
(The Third International Conference on Linguistics in Sri Lanka, ICLSL 2017. Department of Linguistics, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2017) Sandya, B. M.; Atchuthan, Y.
In Sri Lanka, students learn English as either their second or a foreign language. Even though the schoolchildren in Sri Lanka learn English as their second language from grade three, the pass rate, even after eight years of education is not at a satisfactory level in certain parts of the country. This research paper analyses the reasons for the low pass rate in English language in G.C.E Ordinary Level Examination in Vanni schools and it offers specific recommendations that can be practiced by the policy makers, school administrators, supervisors and language teachers in order to produce many English language speakers with higher pass rates in English in those regions. Students from five schools in Mullaitivu and Vavuniya districts are considered randomly for this study and the study was carried out in private classrooms located in Nedunkerny, Mathiyamadu, Katsilaimadu, Marailluppai, Kulavisuddan and Thanduvan for three years using qualitative and quantitative research methods. Accordingly, pre-test and final evaluation were conducted along with interviews, observation, and discussion throughout the study. The pass rate of the students was also analysed. Before the study, in the schools from where the samples were selected, only less than 20% of students passed the above mentioned examination in previous years. The reasons for this lower pass rate in English language exam were found out and the recommendations were implemented in the said private classes in order to examine their validity. The recommendations of the study are as follows: teaching with remedial syllabus to fill the knowledge gaps of the students caused in previous years, highlighting the teacher‟s specific roles as a coordinator, motivator, and source of knowledge and patience in those areas. In addition, conducting monthly parents‟ meetings to discuss the issues related to English language teaching and learning faced by the students, and giving awareness to the parents on the ideology of actual English language teaching and learning. Moreover, providing training to the teachers on teaching methodology in this special setting, teaching the students how to use the language items in their day-to-day life taught in the class, preparing lesson plans accordingly and paying special attention for setting proper term examination papers. Once these recommendations were implemented in the classes, the results were favourable and it was proved through a special final evaluation conducted orally as well as in written form for the sample participants in grade 10 and 11. The participants were asked to answer the questions in 2016 past paper book for this evaluation. This special final evaluation revealed that 75% of students were able to gain more than 63 out of 100 marks in the written examination. At the same time, the oral evaluation showed the students‟ ability to communicate in English in their day-to-day life.
Attitudes towards Sri Lankan English lexis and grammar
(Department of English, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Perera, N.
In Sri Lanka, English has long been a language of authority granting access to the higher classes of society. However deviating from the “British” standards and speaking Sri Lankan English is not always regarded in a positive light. The research was conducted to explore the acceptance, the notions on grammatical accuracy and lexical validity of Sri Lankan English among undergraduates and graduates of the University of Kelaniya. The findings are compared with responses from the older users of English. It is seen that both the younger generation and the older generation hold a more permissible attitude towards the use of English, which can be attributed to the increased acceptance and the popularity of Sri Lankan English. However there is less willingness to bend certain hard core rules, especially grammar rules and rules governing the pronunciation of words.
The Kaduwa of today: Sri Lankan English – its acceptance and attitudes towards variation
(Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Perera, M.C.N.
In Sri Lanka, English has long been a language of authority granting access to the higher classes of society. Hence it is referred to by the colloquial appellation kaduwa, meaning ‘the sword’. However the English that is spoken in Sri Lanka today is not the same as the English that was introduced by the British colonizers since the year 1796. At present, there is an observable tendency to deviate from the “British” standards of speaking English and to use a variety of English which is identified as ‘Sri Lankan English’. Nevertheless, this tendency is not always regarded in a positive light. The research was conducted to explore the acceptance, the attitudes towards grammatical accuracy and lexicography of Sri Lankan English among undergraduates and graduates of the University of Kelaniya. The study was conducted as a quantitative analysis of the data gathered through a questionnaire survey including 50 participants. The findings were compared with responses from the older users of English. Hence it reveals the levels of acceptance of Sri Lankan English among the youth and the older generation. The study shows a number of language traits that are regarded as acceptable and unacceptable by Sri Lankan English speakers belonging to two different generations. The results reveal that both the younger generation and the older generation hold a more permissible attitude towards the use of English. Although the older users of the language might not necessarily use words that belong to the language of the youth, they are aware of their meanings. This can be attributed to the increased acceptance and the popularity of Sri Lankan English. Nevertheless, it is seen that interlocutors welcome additions to the spoken language but not necessarily to the written language. They display less willingness to bend certain rigid rules, especially grammar rules and rules governing the pronunciation of words.

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