Others

Books

  1. A chapter on English Language Education in Transforming school Education in Sri Lanka – World Bank – 2011
  2. ”learned Helplessness” to “learned optimism” (2010). in Prof. Kanapathipplillai Sinnathamby Felicitation Volume
  3. Merging of context and methodology : M.Ed. in TESOL curriculum in Sri Lanka – a pioneer Effort. ( 2007) In Negotiating Empowerment.. Orient Longman: Hyderabad.
  4. The need for merging of context and methodology in the teaching of English in Sri Lanka.(2004) in Professor Sandarasegaram Felicitation Volume. Colombo: Kumaran Press.
  5. How to develop your reading skills. (2000). In Adhyapana Vimarshana.Colombo; Sridevi Printers.
  6. Role of attitudes in learning English in Sri Lanka: Has there been a change after Independence? (2000) in Developments in Education. 25thAnniversary Volume. The Faculty of Education University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.

 

Refereed Journal Articles

  1. Why not but I can’t” – Influence of a ‘culture of poverty’ on learning: A case study. Sabaragamuwa University Journal. Volume 6. No. 1 December 2006.
  2. Learning English in a disadvantaged school setting: A case for empowering the ‘learned helpless’ student (2006) in Sri Lanka, Challenges of a Society in Transition, Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Colombo

Technical Reports

Writer of the Reports

  1. Coping with student heterogeneity in the English Language Classrooms. http/:www.nec.gov.lk
  2. National assessment of achievement of grade four pupils in Sri Lanka (2009) NEREC: Faculty of Education, University of Colombo.
  3. Survey of status of second national language teaching and learning in Colleges of Education. 2006 (Funded by the GTZ Project)
  4. Early dropout of girls from schools in the Free Trade Zone areas and their awareness and conformity to new laws in the Marriage Registration Act [A study conducted in the Gampaha District]. (2002). Sponsored by the National Committee on Women; Colombo – Sri Lanka.

Contributed to the following reports

  1. World Bank (2011). Transforming school education in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka : World Bank
  2. Assessment of Minimum Learning Competencies (MLC) for effective school learning.: A national level assessment administered at completion of the primary cycle. A collaborative research project conducted by NIE and NEREC, University of Colombo.(2004)
  3. Research Team Member – National assessment of achievement of grade four pupils in Sri Lanka (2003) NEREC: Faculty of Education, University of Colombo.
  4. A Study to Examine the Degree of Horizontal and vertical Integration of the Modernized Curriculum Introduced at Secondary Level (Grade 6-11) since 2007- Analysis on the English Language component.
  5. Contributed to the section on the Second National Languages in the National Policy and a Framework of Action.
  6. (2008)Social Cohesion and Peace Education Unit, Ministry of Education.
  7. Contributor to the drafting of the Subject Benchmark statement on Education (2009) .Appointed by the Quality Assurance And Accreditation Council of the University Grants Commission, Sri Lanka

Conference Papers

  1. Perera (2014) ” Expanding Educational horizons for Sustainable Development”. A paper presented at the plenary session on Management, social sciences and Humanities at the International Research Conference 2014 : General Sir John Kotalawala Defence University Sri Lanka held on 21 & 22 August 2014
  2. An attempt to develop Bilingualism in Sri Lanka through Content & Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) A joint paper  presented ( Perera, M. & Kulartne, S.A) at the International Journal of Arts and Social Sciences  held in Paris from 31st March to 3rd April 2014.
  3. Bilingual education as a new strategy to teach English in schools: how feasible? A  joint paper (S.A. Kularatne &Marie Perera) presented at the 2nd International Conference on Social Sciences- Sri Lanka 2013 (ICSS) held from nov.22-23. 2013 at the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
  4. Improving writing through ‘ recycling’: A Sri Lankan action research. A paper presented at the International Conference for academic disciplines held at the American University of Rome 22 -25thOctober 2013 Rome, Italy
  5. An analysis of the English language needs of the grade 6 bilingual students studying science. A paper presented at the International Research symposium 2013 held at the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University Ratmalana, Sri Lanka, from 22-23rd August 2013.
  6. “Transforming Inter-Ethnic Attitudes through Education? The Influence of Second Language Teaching on Perceptions of Other Ethnic Groups in Sri Lanka “. A paper presented at the Fourth Asian Conference on Education at Osaka, Japan .24-28 October 2012
  7. “The role of school second language education in the development of respect amongst ethnic communities in Sri Lanka,”  A joint paper presented with Hayes, D.at the Caribe Hilton Hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico. April 22-27, 2012 .
  8. “  I can’t learn English .Why not”  a paper presented at the Qatar TESOL’s Eighth International Conference Learner Motivation, Involvement, and Autonomy, College of the North Atlantic, Doha, Qatar April 13th and 14th, 2012
  9. “Building Bridges: National Integration through the teaching of the second National language’ A paper presented at the 9thInternational Language and development Conference 17 -19 October 2011 Colombo, Sri Lanka
  10. Is ability grouping an answer to teaching English in large ESL classes in Sri Lanka? A paper presented at the 16th World Congress of Applied Linguistics, Beijing Foreign Studies University, Beijing, China 23-28th August 2011.
  11. ‘ One size does not fit all” a paper presented at the 6th International SLELTA Conference. BMICH Colombo , October 15-17, 2010
  12. ” Three in one” – a Collaborative Action Research . A paper presented at the academic sessions 2010, Faculty of Education, University of Colombo
  13. The learning teacher, experiential learning and the teaching practice cycle”. Paper presented at the 7th ASIA TEFL international conference . Queens Park Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand, 7th -9th August 2009.
  14. Coping with student heterogeneity in the English Language classrooms in Sri Lanka paper presented at the Academic sessions. 2008 University of Colombo
  15. “Student heterogeneity – the reality of the Sri Lankan ESL classrooms” Paper presented at the 6th ASIA TEFL conference Bali, Indonesia 1-3 August, 2008
  16. ”Overcoming learned helplessness’ Paper presented at the PGIE Research Form. Open University of Sri Lanka.14 December 2007
  1. ”An example of a qualitative study” Paper presented at the workshop on capacity building in Education Research. Auditorium, Ministry of Education. November, 23 rd 2007;
  2. ’How to motivate the unmotivated? “Plenary at the Conference for RESC staff conducted by the National Institute of Education on 03.11.2006.
  3. ”English for all” and English Language Teaching at Primary Level. Paper presented at the Fourth International Conference of the Sri Lanka English Language Teachers Association – English for Equality, Employment and Empowerment August – 4 -6, September 2006. Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies. Colombo , Sri Lanka
  4. ”Why not but I can’t” – Influence of a ‘culture of poverty’ on learning: A case study. Paper presented at the 10 th Anniversary International symposium The issues and challenges of the 21 st century. 4 th -8 th July 2006 , Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka .
  5. ”Apprenticeship and Guided Participation” in University English Language Teaching. Paper presented at the Enhancing University ELT Conference. 2-4 June 2006. Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies. Colombo , Sri Lanka
  6. The effect of western colonization on ‘school cultures’ and its impact on learning and teaching English. Paper presented at the 10th international conference on Sri Lanka Studies. 16th -18th December 2005. University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
  7. Making Teacher Education interactive – University of Colombo experience. Joint presentation with Prof. S. Wijetunge. South Asian Consortium for Teacher Education and Development (SACTED) theme seminar,20 th May 2005.Colombo
  8. Learning the second language in a disadvantaged school setting: Is ‘learned helplessness’ – a cause for failure to learn the second language? Paper presented at the conference on Sri Lanka; Challenges of a society in transition. 16 – 18 December 2004. Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Colombo.
  9. Merging of context and methodology : M.Ed in TESOL curriculum in Sri Lanka – A pioneer effort. A paper presented at the International seminar on Effective (English) Language management in SAARC countries 14 – 15 October, 2004. Indo-American Centre for International Studies, Hyderabad, India.
  10. English medium education and higher education. Paper presented at the Forum on “English medium Education in Sri Lanka: Relevance and feasibility. Trans Asia Hotel, Colombo. 19th July 2004.
  11. Developing multiple textbooks for the Sri Lankan classrooms; Issues and challenges. Paper presented at the 2nd International conference of the Sri Lanka English Teachers’ Association. 30 -1 September 2002. Colombo
  12. Education system and the women professionals in Sri Lanka. Key note address at the Business and professional club of Wollongong – International Night. 27th February 2001.Wollongong, NSW, Australia
  13. Communication or miscommunication – The case of second language acquisition in Sri Lankan classrooms. Paper presented at the Academic sessions 2000. 16th February, 2001. Faculty of Education University of Colombo.
  14. Role of Classroom interaction in second language acquisition in Sri Lanka. Paper presented at the 10th Research student Colloquium, July 21 – July 22, 2000.Graduate School of Education. University of Wollongong, Australia.
  15. Education Reforms and the changing perspectives of Teaching of English in Sri Lanka: Targets and challenges. Paper presented at the 7th Sri Lanka Studies Conference 3-6 December1999. Canberra, Australia.

Involvement with Other Universities

  1. Developed on line course material for the ITE 1002 – Communication skills Development Subject for the University of Moratuwa.
  2. English Language consultant for the IRQUE Project – designed a new curriculum for an intensive Course and reviewed the existing curriculum for the first year undergraduates of the Faculty of Arts, University of Sri Jayawardenapure
  3. Domestic consultant for the British Council, Sri Lanka on the consultancy assignment as English Language Teaching specialist on the Education for the Knowledge Society Project (EKSP) – ADB Loan No.:2571 – December 2009 – January 2010
  4. Consultant for GIZ for Second National language teaching and learning in the Sri Lankan schools.
  5. Short term consultant for the Sri Lanka Sector Development Project – Analytical work for the Excellence and Equity in Education Report – World Bank – July 2010 -June 2011
  6. Consultant and curriculum developer for the Diploma in Global Partnership programme jointly offered by the Faculty of Education, University of Colombo, Cambridge Foundation. UK and the British Council
  7. Served as panel member on promotion boards and evaluated the self assessment of academic staff applying for promotion to the grade of Professor in the Universities of Jaffna, Peradeniya, Eastern University and Open University of Sri Lanka.
  8. Resource person for the Staff Development Centres in the University of Colombo and University of Kelaniya
  9. Resource person for Curriculum Development In the National Colleges of Education
  10. Subject Reviewer appointed by the Quality Assurance And Accreditation Council of the University Grants Commission, Sri Lanka
  11. External Examiner of the Ph.D thesis of Gandhigram Rural University, India
  12. External Examiner for the PGIE. Open University of Sri Lanka
  13. Conducted a video conference session for the Global School partnership programme teachers in Nepal
  14. Collaboration with Dr. David Hayes of Brock University Canada in his project “The role of school language education in the development of respect among ethnic communities in Sri Lanka and its impact on the development of the foundations for social harmony in the country”. ( on going )

Administrative Responsibilities held

  1. Member of the UGC Standing Committee on Staff Development.
  2. Member of the committee appointed by the National Education Commission to formulate a bi lingual policy. (2008.05.22)
  3. Member of the committee appointed by the National Education Commission to formulate a policy. on Teaching the Second National Language (2008.05.15)
  4. Member of the committee of eminent persons to provide recommendations on school system re-structuring and admission of children to schools from year 2009 onwards.
  5. Member of the Advisory Board of the Unit of Language Coordination – National Institute of Education, Maharagama
  6. Academic Board member National Education Research and Evaluation Centre (NEREC) Faculty of Education, University of Colombo
  7. Senate nominee – Board of Study Sri Palee campus.
  8. Member of the Board of Management, Post Graduate Institute of English, Open University of Sri Lanka.
  9. Served as a Senate sub committee member appointed to investigate the appropriateness of the change of the medium of Instruction at University Level.
  10. Served as a member of the Sub Committee on English Language in General Education, appointed by the National Education Commission. April – June 2004
  11. Served as a member of the Senate Sub – Committee appointed to look into and make recommendations on the Draft University Act . Jan.2004.
  12. Course Coordinator of M.Ed. in TESOL ( Full Time ) Course
  13. Coordinator for the HETC project, Faculty of Education
  14. Coordinator of the Diploma in Teacher Education for teachers of Global Partnership Programme

Current Responsibilities

  • Grant coordinator
  • Faculty of Education
  • QIG Window 3 programme of the HETC project

 

Additional Training

Training in ICT

  1. Certified as a trainer of Online Tutors and Mentors by the Distance Education Partnership Programme of the Distance Education Modernization Project of the Ministry of Higher Education, Sri Lanka.
  2. Participated in an Advanced International Training Programme – “Information Technology Management – a holistic approach to Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)”Karlsted, Sweden, June 2 –25, 2003.
  3. Followed a Basic computer course for University Administrative staff conducted by the Staff Development Centre, University of Colombo. Oct – Dec. 2002
  4. Followed a short course on Designing and creating web pages for posting to an online environment. Conducted by the Staff Development Center, University of Colombo.
  5. Participated in the Aus Aid Virtual Colombo Plan Online education Project conducted by the University of Southern Queensland.

Educational Research and Management

  1. Participated in a workshop on “capacity Building in National Educational Assessment in South Asia” – Colombo Sri Lanka –June 2002
  2. A short course on Research methodology in Education and Social Sciences. By Dr. David Johnson at the National Institute of Education, Maharagma – August 2001
  3. A short course in Educational Research and Evaluation – Faculty of Education, University of West of England, Bristol. 13 October 2003 – 8 December2003.
  4. Accreditation of Senior Teachers in Higher Education (ASTHE – 2005-06) conducted by the Staff Development Centre of the University of Colombo

Training in psycho – social work

  1. Participated in a 36 hour coaching programme for trainers on “psychological help and trauma therapy for victims and helpers in the Tsunami catastrophe” conducted by the Leipzig University, Germany in collaboration with the faculty of Education. 03 – 06 March 2006.
  2. Participated in a workshop on assistance of children in the aftermath of disaster conducted by the National Institute of Education in collaboration with GTZ/BESP and Vivo International 23rd – 29th January 2005
  3. Participated in a workshop on psychological consequences of armed conflicts organized by the Pharos Foundation for refugee health care, Department of Mental Health, Amsterdam, Netherland and the faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Colombo . 21- 29 November 1997.

Additional Training

Training in ICT

  1. Certified as a trainer of Online Tutors and Mentors by the Distance Education Partnership Programme of the Distance Education Modernization Project of the Ministry of Higher Education, Sri Lanka.
  2. Participated in an Advanced International Training Programme – “Information Technology Management – a holistic approach to Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)”Karlsted, Sweden, June 2 –25, 2003.
  3. Followed a Basic computer course for University Administrative staff conducted by the Staff Development Centre, University of Colombo. Oct – Dec. 2002
  4. Followed a short course on Designing and creating web pages for posting to an online environment. Conducted by the Staff Development Center, University of Colombo.
  5. Participated in the Aus Aid Virtual Colombo Plan Online education Project conducted by the University of Southern Queensland.

Educational Research and Management

  1. Participated in a workshop on “capacity Building in National Educational Assessment in South Asia” – Colombo Sri Lanka –June 2002
  2. A short course on Research methodology in Education and Social Sciences. By Dr. David Johnson at the National Institute of Education, Maharagma – August 2001
  3. A short course in Educational Research and Evaluation – Faculty of Education, University of West of England, Bristol. 13 October 2003 – 8 December2003.
  4. Accreditation of Senior Teachers in Higher Education (ASTHE – 2005-06) conducted by the Staff Development Centre of the University of Colombo

Training in psycho – social work

  1. Participated in a 36 hour coaching programme for trainers on “psychological help and trauma therapy for victims and helpers in the Tsunami catastrophe” conducted by the Leipzig University, Germany in collaboration with the faculty of Education. 03 – 06 March 2006.
  2. Participated in a workshop on assistance of children in the aftermath of disaster conducted by the National Institute of Education in collaboration with GTZ/BESP and Vivo International 23rd – 29th January 2005
  3. Participated in a workshop on psychological consequences of armed conflicts organized by the Pharos Foundation for refugee health care, Department of Mental Health, Amsterdam, Netherland and the faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Colombo . 21- 29 November 1997.

Contribution to Higher Education Institutes

  1. Served as panel member on promotion boards and evaluated the self assessment of academic staff applying for promotion to the grade of Professor in the Universities of Jaffna, Peradeniya, Eastern University and Open University of Sri Lanka.
  2. Resource person for the Staff Development Centres in the University of Colombo and University of Kelaniya
  3. Resource person for Curriculum Development In the National Colleges of Education
  4. Subject Reviewer appointed by the Quality Assurance And Accreditation Council of the University Grants Commission, Sri Lanka
  5. External Examiner for Gandhigram Rural University, India
  6. External Examiner for the PGIE. Open University of Sri Lanka
  7. Conducted a video conference session for the Global School partnership programme teachers in Nepal

 

Research supervision at Doctoral and Master’s Level

  1. Wickramarachchi, R.(2006) The influence of Students’ Learning approaches and teachers’ teaching approaches on Student’s perceptions of teaching and learning. PhD thesis submitted to the University of Colombo
  2. Abeyratne, J. (2006) A critical evaluation of the Activity Based Oral English programme ( A study conducted in the Puttlam Education Zone). Master of Education thesis submitted to the University of Colombo
  3. Guruparan, V. 2006) A study of the General English Curriculum to find out how far it caters to the job opportunities in the private sector. Master of Education thesis submitted to the University of Colombo
  4. Muneera. M.. (2006) A study of G.C.E. (Advanced Level) General English curriculum in relation to the development of speaking skill. Master of Education thesis submitted to the University of Colombo
  5. Ganeshathas, K (2006) The issue of change of medium to English and the problem encountered by students in learning at the G.C.E. Advanced Level Classes. Master of Education thesis submitted to the University of Colombo
  6. Senaratne, H. 2006) The issue of changing the Medium of instruction to English at Senior secondary Level and its impact on English language learning and teaching process. Master of Education thesis submitted to the University of Colombo
  7. Parasivam,S. (2006)A study on Bilingual Policy in relation to the issue of changing the medium of instruction at the Junior Secondary Levels. Master of Education thesis submitted to the University of Colombo
  8. De. Silva, A. (2007) An investigation of different levels of participation in the teaching learning process of General English. Master of Education thesis submitted to the University of Colombo
  9. Perera, N.(2007). Feasibility of using mixed ability grouping. Unpublished M.Ed. dissertation. University of Colombo
  10. Kularatne, S,A, (2008) An investigation into English Medium education in Sri Lanka with special reference to Content Based Instruction at junior secondary level.
  11. Premachandra, K.L (2008) An investigation in to the zonal level administrative procedures in second language learning. Master of Education thesis submitted to the University of Colombo
  12. Rajapakshe, N. (2009). Use of same ability grouping in a large class. Unpublished M.Ed. dissertation. University of Colombo
  13. Wickramanayake, L.C.D. (2009) Impact of Second Language concepts on the improvement of writing skills- Master of Education thesis submitted to the University of Colombo
  14. Rajendram, S. (2010) Study on the impact of the change of medium of instruction and the language support needed for the Bachelor of Education Undergraduates.
  15. Neranjani, S. (2011) An Implementation of the Philosophical Concept of Student Centred Education at Senior Secondary Level
  16. Dahanayake ,S. (2011) Enhancing Literary Competence through Activity Based Literature Learning. Master of Education thesis submitted to the University of Colombo

 

Current Supervision

  • Two doctoral students and five MPhil/ PhD students

 

Resource Person

  • Currently resource person to the Ministry of Education and the National Institute of Education on Bilingual Education programme

 

Consultancies

  • Part time Consultancy for the HETC project, Ministry of Higher Education to conduct beneficiary satisfaction surveys on quality assurance Nov. 2013 – April, 2014 (on going)
  • Consultant for the Diploma in Global Learning offered by the Faculty of Education, University of Colombo in collaboration with the British Council and the Cambridge Education Foundation
  • Short term consultant for the Sri Lanka Sector Development Project – Analytical work for the Excellence and Equity in Education Report – World Bank – July 2010 -June 2011
  • Domestic consultant for the British Council, Sri Lanka on the consultancy assignment as English Language Teaching specialist on the Education for the Knowledge Society Project (EKSP) – ADB Loan No.:2571 – December 2009 – January2010
  • English Language consultant for the IRQUE Project – designing intensive Course curriculum and review of the existing curriculum for the first year undergraduates of the Faculty of Arts, University of Sri Jayawardenapura.
  • Developed on line course material for the ITE 1002 – Communication skills Development Subject for the University of Moratuwa.