English language: It can be taught, it can be learnt
The author presenting her books to Head of the Dept. of Languages-Eastern University Dr. Kennedy Jeevaretnam
50% of students fail English at the GCE O’Levels,” stated Dr. Chitra Jayathilake, a senior lecturer at the English Department of the University of Sri Jayawardenapura. In a world where English proficiency has become a vital skill to enter the workforce or for career progression, the statistic is disheartening. Dr. Jayathilake went on to explain that one major reason for this alarming statistic is learner inhibition. “A lie has been told to you that if you can’t speak it well you shouldn’t speak in English.”
These statements were made at the launch of two books “Grammar through Literature” and “A Thousand Voiced Choir” by Gratiaen Award winner, Madhubhashini Disanayaka Ratnayake. While one of the books takes learners through the basics of grammar and the fundamentals of writing, the other is a memoir by the author of her time as the head of the English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) at the University of Sri Jayawardenapura. The books published by Godage Publishers, were launched at a ceremony on September 23 at the National Museum Auditorium in Colombo.
The event was attended by academics and university lecturers, and past and present students of the author. Vice Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayawardenapura, Professor Sampath Amaratunge was the Chief Guest and former Head of the English Department of the University of Sri Jayawardenapura, Parvathi Nagasundaram the guest of honour. The panel at the event featured Professor Liyanage Amarakeerthi (Lecturer at the Department of Sinhala – University of Peradeniya), Dr. Kennedy Jeevaretnam (Head of the Department of Languages – Eastern University), Vishaka Nanayakkara (Head of the Department of Decision Science; Chair of the Centre for Open Distance Learning – University of Moratuwa) and Dr. Chitra Jayathilake (Senior lecturer of the Department of English – University of Sri Jayawardenapura).
“English is a beautiful language, but difficult to teach,” said Dr. Kennedy Jeevaretnam, lamenting that English is not given any importance at the school level, and how that negatively affects many students from rural backgrounds who enter university. Mrs. Nagasundaram pointed out that as much as one third of the 5% of A’level students who are selected for state universities have to follow their courses in English. This is why Madhubashini’s memoirs, which details how she succeeded in teaching over a thousand young university entrants English, is so valuable. “‘A Thousand Voiced Choir’ tells us how to teach. It’s my bible now!” Dr. Jeevaretnam proclaimed. Sharing similar sentiments, Mrs. Nagasundaram stated, “The books are an important contribution to the standard of English in the country.”
Commenting on “Grammar through Literature”, Dr. Jayathilake called it a “highly pronounced and rewarding effort.” She explained that the author in addition to covering the four language skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking, delves into the fifth component, cultural sensitivity. “Literature and language cannot be divorced in teaching the English Language,” she declared. She concluded that the book, which covers all the components of grammar is an approachable and readable book for beginners and also useful to more proficient learners as a means of clarifying certain points of grammar.
A section of the audience at the book launch
The author stated that she hopes the book will make a difference in the lives of students. But as her students who spoke at the event testified to her skill and patience as an educator, she clearly has made a difference in so many students’ lives. Madhubashini added that she would be releasing two new books in the coming months: one a conventional grammar book, and the other, a trilingual book for children.
The path to learning English is reading said Professor Liyanage Amarakeerthi, with Madhubashini agreeing, “If you love reading , half the battle is won.”
‘Grammar Through Literature’ and ‘ A Thousand Voiced Choir’ are available at Godage Bookshop, No. 661, P.D.S. Kularathna Mawatha, Maradana Road, Colombo 10, priced at Rs. 750.