English language teaching in government schools in Sri Lanka: a survey based on Kinniya Education Zone, Trincomalee

Abstract

A This study was carried out with the aim of investigating the state of ELT in Kinniya Education Zone, Trincomalee and the factors affecting ELT. This study was a survey research and quantitative method was used for primary data collection. Kinniya Education Zone was selected as the research setting and 35 English as a Second Language teachers from 35 town schools and rural schools were randomly selected as sample population. A questionnaire with close-ended questions was used as the research instrument. Based on the findings of the data analysis, most of the participants’ educational qualifications were Higher National Diploma in English (HNDE) and English medium degrees. Moreover, a large number of students agreed that the ESL teachers in Kinniya Education Zone encounter challenges in teaching English. Lack of interest, lack of basic knowledge in English, crowded classrooms, use of traditional teaching methods and mother tongue and lack of modern teaching/learning equipment are identified as major factors for the failure of ELT in Kinniya Education Zone. According to participants’ responses, the following suggestions can be implemented at government schools in Sri Lanka to overcome the failure of ELT in Kinniya Education Zone. They are: use of modern teaching approaches, establishing a separate language unit with modern teaching equipment in each school, appointing competent and trained teachers at primary sections/schools, using English Language in the classrooms, reducing the number of students in the crowded classes and application of interesting language games and activities in the classroom.