BBU/EEC programme: A beacon of light for Rajarata English learners

Ven. Nivitigala Sumitta Thera

As Edward Sapir put it, “Langauge is a purely human and non-instinctive method of communicating ideas, emotions and desires by means of voluntarily produced symbols. English language in that sense has presumably become the most effective lingua franca in the modern global village”. English is used as the first language in only six countries i.e. Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom and United States of America.

Nevertheless, it is extensively used as a second language and as an official language throughout the world in such a speed that it is fast becoming the first ever universal language.

English language learning is an indispensable part of the Sri Lankan school curriculum. Given the numerous benefits the English educated social strata is enjoying in this former British colony, it is quite natural that more and more common public is encouraged to learn this unique language in every nook and corner of Sri Lanka.

In comparison to Colombo and some other cosmopolitan cities and commercial centres, Rajarata area or the North Central Province, is no doubt less facilitated in many ways than one. Many school leavers both employed and otherwise, encounter a great ordeal in finding a better and quality English teaching institute in the area.

Various sections of the North Central Province including public and private sector employees suffer immensely due to lack of quality English education centres.

Buddhasravaka Bhiksu University External English Courses (BBU/EEC) programme affiliated to the Department of Languages was introduced under these circumstances.

Today the BBU/EEC programme is playing a pivotal role as a premier messenger of Buddhasravaka Bhiksu University to carry the glory of our university to the world outside.

While earning a good name and fame for the university, the EEC programme also is currently providing a greater social service to many young and needy enthusiasts from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds to cast off one of their longstanding career debacles.

The course has been particularly designed to cater to the demands of various public and private sector employees to improve their English language skills. Besides, the course is also aimed at helping out the school leavers and other professionals to sharpen their English knowledge.

The EEC programme has gained a marked improvement and popularity ever since it started in 2005 under the patronage and guidance of the then Vice Chancellor Venerable Dr. Godagama Mangala Nayaka Thera.

Venerable Dr. Alahenegama Sumanaratana Thera, Head of the Department of Languages and D. N. Aloysius, Lecturer in English, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, have been the key players in designing, founding and initiating the course.

The university Senate and the Council have duly approved the new project as it would provide a greater social service to the public in the North Central region. The programme is now marching forward tinged with still more colour under the able guidance of the present Vice Chancellor Venerable Dr. Thumbulle Seelakkhanda Nayaka Thera and the Registrar M. B. Muthubanda.

Course objectives:

* Improving the skills of listening, speaking, reading, writing and grammar knowledge of the students, so that they can communicate effectively in English both in Sri Lanka and abroad.

* Improving reading habits and encouraging the students to do higher studies in English medium.

* Helping the Buddhist monks in the area improve their English knowledge so that they can visit foreign countries and preach in English and share their knowledge with them.

* The students are also expected to do significant researches in English medium with the help of new science and technology.

* Paving the way to a peaceful coexistence and fraternity among various ethnic groups.

The BBU/EEC consists of three major course levels:

* Preliminary Certificate Course

* Certificate Course

* Diploma Course.

The course offers both theoretical and practical knowledge of English under the following headings:

* English language

* English literature and Buddhist literature

* Business communication

* Listening and comprehension

* Oral test

* Project report and presentation seminar

BBU/EEC programme has been providing an invaluable service so far to the needy English learners in the region with some remarkable achievements within a very short period of time. The programme also has introduced a wall paper called ‘Mirror Wall’ and a literary magazine called ‘Quintessence’.

The third batch of the Diploma students successfully held a historic presentation seminar for two days to add a great academic value to the course followed by a batch photo and a grand farewell function in the BBU main hall.

They also formed a BBU/EEC/Alumni Association to continue a new trend in the programme and this association is scheduled to conduct monthly meetings to help improve their own English knowledge and other English learners in remote areas of North Central Province.

The BBU/EEC programme will be more meaningful and easily accessible to many students in the whole area with the introduction of a new web page affiliated to the Buddhasravaka Bhikku University website (www.bbu.ac.lk).

Now the university has gone one more step further by giving a green signal to the BA General Degree Programme with English as a subject. Hence the gate is wide open for many candidates in the Rajarata and the suburban areas to achieve one of their unfulfilled dreams with the help of this Diploma Course.

The BBU/EEC programme unveils yet another milestone when it holds the inaugural certificate awarding ceremony on July 30 with an outlook graced by the presence of eminent Buddhist scholar Professor Asanga Thilakaratne as the chief guest.

(The writer is a lecturer in English and Course Coordinator, BBU/EEC programme)