Browsing by Author "Abeywickrama, D.D."

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2

Open Access
Exploring Subject-Verb Agreement Challenges in the Writing of ESL Learners: An Action Research Study in Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2023-11-01) Abeywickrama, D.D.; Amaraweera, S
This study is an action research that is conducted to improve the quality of the writings of students in an international school in the Kalutara district. The students make errors related to subject-verb agreement which is an essential component in mastering the English language. They are not mistakes, instead they are errors because the students are not in a state of understanding them on their own. Further, the students are unaware of the grammar rules. Errors occur due to lack of awareness of these specific grammar rules. However, English as a second language (ESL) learners struggle immensely in mastering subjectverb agreement. This study mainly centers around three error types such as the subject is a list of two or more nouns, the subject is an indefinite pronoun, and the subject agrees with the nearest noun in paired conjunctions. The sample consists of twenty-six students from a grade 08 class of an international school in the Western province of Sri Lanka. A pretest was used to collect data. The main objective of this research is to upgrade the writing skills of grade 8 students, in terms of grammatical accuracy. The use of scaffolding exercises enables the students to understand the grammatical rules clearly and makes them apply the rules correctly. Action research itself is a research design that assists to solve the problems related to the field of education. The problem was identified at first and the intervention was carried out accordingly. Finally, the results were obtained. The difference in mean values of the pre-test and the posttest proves the significant improvements in the writings of the students. Therefore, ESL learners require the necessary guidance and instructions through creative approaches to language learning which creates a learner-friendly environment to become competent writers of English.
Embargo
The Social Vision Reflected Through the Poetry of William Blake
(Faculty of Humanities and Sciences - SLIIT, 2021-03-26) Abeywickrama, D.D.
The poetry of William Blake is an ideal portrayal of social issues which prevailed during the poetic period of romanticism. The poem “London” has been presented in a way to make the readers aware about the concept of commercialization. London, was not a peaceful city anymore. Corruption has gnawed the innocence of people. Thus, it has made them immoral. Furthermore, Blake’s progressive vision of the 20th century concept on gender equality is promoted in ‘The Sick Rose’, which is a symbolical representation of women’s plight in parasitic relationships. The poem, ‘The Sick Rose’ indicates problems which are parallel to those of our current society where, sensual pleasures are given more prominence over spirituality. Simply, reciprocation of love does not exist anymore due to insatiable sensual desires of mankind. In addition, Blake displays his social vision in presenting children as the victimized entity in “Holy Thursday” and “The Chimney Sweeper”. The pain, torture and agony encountered by children who were brought up under institutional care were not publicly displayed. However, all this was suppressed by religion and the religious leaders, which indeed is ironic and repulsive. “The Chimney Sweeper” is a denunciation of the material conditions and the institutions: the established church, mercenary and the uncaring parents who promoted child labour. Blake’s social vision could have been influenced by the French revolution and industrialization which would have brought out quite a few social problems which are valid in the 21st century as well.