Language studies at BCIS

COLOMBO: The Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies (BCIS), is in the process of introducing improved programmes to promote multilingualism in Sri Lanka.

The Sinhala Language Course is especially designed to impart knowledge in Sinhala language and culture to the non-Sinhala speaking citizens and to expatriates. The teaching is based on communicative and this has led to populationsation of this course among said target groups.

The Tamil Language Courses are conducted through both Sinhala and English media. The main objective of the course is to provide participants with a basic introduction to Tamil language covering all three aspects; reading, writing and speaking.

The BCIS hopes to address the communication barrier among Sinhala and Tamil communities through these courses.

In addition to Sinhala and Tamil courses, the BCIS offers foreign languages such as Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, Hindi and Korean to cater to the language needs of locals as well as foreigners interested in pursuing these languages for employment and higher education.

The Chinese Spanish language courses are taught in both Sinhala and English media. The 'Colloquial Japanese Language Course' offered by the BCIS addresses the needs of professionals who wish to visit Japan for business and educational purposes.

BCIS has made arrangements to commence the Hindu Language Course in early January 2007. A day time Hindi Course will be commenced to provide students with the basic knowledge about the language.

The BCIS has made arrangements to commence the Korean language course in January 2007.

All language courses offered by the BCIS consist of three levels; Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced.

The student enrolments for a series of courses to commence in January 2007 are now on further information is available at the BCIS website www.bcis.edu.lk., a release said.