Description

ABOUT THE BOOK

This book is about an investigation of the contribution of the work-based learning method to the professional development of novice English teachers. It examines the problem pertaining to the difficulties faced by the newly-appointed English teachers during their transition to the role of ‘teacher’. The effectiveness of the work-based learning method in solving this problem is the focus of the study. This is a mixed-method multiple case study using the diplomates of the Higher National Diploma in English program which is conducted by the Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technological Education as the sample. Data are collected using the qualitative instruments of focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews and the quantitative instrument of the survey. The process of data gathering consists of two concurrent phases utilizing both types of instruments. The thematic analysis method is utilized to analyze qualitative data and quantitative data are analyzed with quantitative analysis methods using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. The findings of the study led to the conclusion that the work-based learning approach has a significant contribution to accelerate the achievement of professional development by interns. Work-based learning strategies of conceptualization, experimentation, experience, and reflection practiced by the interns and the HNDEn graduates are found to support them in the application of their existing knowledge through high transfer of knowledge to the training settings. The findings raise the need for amendments in the curriculum reformations of teacher education programmes that are designed to meet the vocational requirements of the country. The research outcomes benefit those working in the fields of teacher education, educational policy planning, authorities implementing educational policies, and teacher education institutions including curriculum designers and teacher educators.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

B.M. Sujani Balasooriya, (Ph.D.) has obtained her first degree, B. A. in English (Special) at the University of Sri Jayawardenepura, master’s degrees (M. A. in Linguistics and M. A. in English) respectively from the University of Kelaniya and Madurai Kamaraj University. Her doctorate was recently accomplished at the University of Colombo. She is at present a senior lecturer at the Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technological Education (SLIATE), in Sri Lanka. She is serving in dynamic and challenging environments to upgrade the level of the students with detailed knowledge in the fields of English language teaching methodology (ELTM), Teaching English as a Second language, and Linguistics. Also, she is keen on researching the modern trends in ELTM and the possibilities of enhancing teacher education through further research studies on teaching internship programmes and teacher interns in a post-colonial linguistic context.