Standardizing English

Uvindu Illeperuma

C Thayaharan

D M Thennakoon Bandara

G Mayakaduwa

S Vincent

V M N R Kumaradasa

English Education in Sri Lanka is a subject which is always stressed since it has become a sine quo none for the country’s total exposure to the burgeoning global market and Globalization. Government has already made an upright move to enhance the quality of English Education in Sri Lanka by introducing new methods of teaching English under the project ‘English as a Life Skill.’

However the Government cannot shoulder the sole responsibility of standardizing English which is really impractical. Academic NGOs and the Co-operate sector should join the efforts. British Council, which is one of the prestigious hubs of teaching English for the young generation has already come forward to share the weight of the responsibility of developing English Education in Sri Lanka.

Recently, British Council with the Council for Business with Britain (CBB) awarded 153 teachers who came from different parts of Sri Lanka, for having successfully completed the University of Cambridge Teaching Knowledge Test (TKT). The program was patronized by HSBS and MAS Active, two mammoth companies in the Co-operate sector.

The heads of the companies are of the opinion that their investments in this project will return in the form of many positive results in time to come. The project was implemented with selected teachers through 27 Regional English Supporting Centres (RESC)

Gracing the occasion as the chief Guest, Minster of Education Bandula Gunawardena said, “Our Ministry is very keen on developing the quality of English Education. It is high time to give priority to the quality of English.” He said that the government needs the support of private sector organizations to achieve this.

Happy about the program G Mayakaduwa , the RESC Baddegama (Galle), Coordinator said, “Our RESC is among the first two RESCs started in Sri Lanka.” He said that it is one of the great training programs that they had. Our teachers are doing well. But I think they are capable of doing more for children who are awaiting a sound English Educations to meet their future dreams.”

Coming from Badulla V M N R Kumaradasa who is a teacher of English at Rallewela Vidyalaya said “This program will definitely be an unforgettable turning point in our teaching career. We fell that we are developed when it comes to teaching thanks to this program. If we are to enjoy quality English there should be quality teachers.”

“Though Monaragala is less developed and it is difficult to access resources they badly need for their education, they are enthusiastic to learn English. So, we should be better learned teachers to do a better job on behalf of them. In fact our English teachers are also from very remote areas. This kind of programs can give some exposure to them as well,” said D M Tennakoon Bandara, a teacher from Monaragala. He said that they should be alert whether they are getting the expected results.

C Thayaharana, a teacher from Jaffna sad, “Even though, the war has been going on our student had shown their enthusiasm, especially for English.” He said that now things are developing. “So, we should help them by returning something more from what we have already gained. We are very optimistic about programs like this’

Since our children are to take the responsibilities of developing this country we should energize them, hone their talents. For that cause we are to use the qualities we have already developed by means of this program, said S Vincent, a teacher form Tricomalee.

What the country need is quality teachers to take English education of the country an extra mile with innovations and creative methods. Teachers and students should be encouraged and the programs for enhancing quality should be backed by the Co-operate sector which will be benefitting in the future since the workforce can meet their employment demands of with a sound knowledge of English and communication skills.