Sunday, June 27, 2010

Wilfred Owen

Wilfred Owen

Wilfred Owen, who was a poet and soldier, was born in 1893 to a middle-class family in the North of England. His parents were Thomas and Susan Owen, who lived in a comfortable house owned by his grandfather. He was the eldest of four children. His grandfather was a wealthy person and helped them financially. However, two years after Owen’s birth, he expired and this adversely affected their family. As a result, Owen's parents had to move into a rented house. They were so impoverished that they were unable to afford to send him to a public school. Hence, while being at home, Owen began to read and write poetry as a child. But, later he went to school and shortly after leaving school in 1911, Owen passed the matriculation exam for the University of London. Meanwhile, he also started reading the Bible daily. His mother was highly interested in religion and sometimes this might have motivated him for reading it. He had a strong relationship with his mother, which lasted throughout his life.
In the mean time, he went looking for a job and in 1911; he found a job as a lay reader to help a clergyman until 1913. But, unfortunately, he was taken ill in 1913 and lost his job. After that, he began to work as a private teacher, who taught English and French. He gave it up due to the inadequacy of professional training in the teaching field and migrated to France looking for a job. He worked there till the outbreak of war. In 1915, he returned to his homeland and joined the army as a soldier. In 1916, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant.
While in the battle field, he suffered from shell-shock and was later hospitalized. During his stay at hospital, Owen published his work in the hospital journal as well. In September, he returned to the front line, where he won the Military Cross for bravery. He was preparing his first collection of poems when he met with his tragic death. Only one week before the end of war, while attempting to traverse a canal, he was shot in the head by an enemy rifle and was killed on the spot in 1918. His first collection, introduced appeared two years after his untimely death. Owen's most famous poems are Dulce et Decorum Est and Anthem for Doomed Youth.
Disabled

27.06.2010

Saturday, June 26, 2010

G.C.E. Advanced Level/English -New syllabus

Poetry

Disabled by Wilfred Owen


He sat in a wheeled chair, waiting for dark,
And shivered in his ghastly suit of grey,
Legless, sewn short at elbow. Through the park
Voices of boys rang saddening like a hymn,
Voices of play and pleasure after day,
Till gathering sleep had mothered them from him.


About this time Town used to swing so gay
When glow-lamps budded in the light-blue trees
And girls glanced lovelier as the air grew dim,
- In the old times, before he threw away his knees.
Now he will never feel again how slim
Girls' waists are, or how warm their subtle hands,
All of them touch him like some queer disease.


There was an artist silly for his face,
For it was younger than his youth, last year.
Now he is old; his back will never brace;
He's lost his colour very far from here,
Poured it down shell-holes till the veins ran dry,
And half his lifetime lapsed in the hot race,
And leap of purple spurted from his thigh.
One time he liked a bloodsmear down his leg,
After the matches carried shoulder-high.
It was after football, when he'd drunk a peg,
He thought he'd better join. He wonders why...
Someone had said he'd look a god in kilts.


That's why; and maybe, too, to please his Meg,
Aye, that was it, to please the giddy jilts,
He asked to join. He didn't have to beg;
Smiling they wrote his lie; aged nineteen years.
Germans he scarcely thought of; and no fears
Of Fear came yet. He thought of jewelled hilts
For daggers in plaid socks; of smart salutes;
And care of arms; and leave; and pay arrears;
Esprit de corps; and hints for young recruits.
And soon, he was drafted out with drums and cheers.


Some cheered him home, but not as crowds cheer Goal.
Only a solemn man who brought him fruits
Thanked him; and then inquired about his soul.
Now, he will spend a few sick years in Institutes,
And do what things the rules consider wise,
And take whatever pity they may dole.
To-night he noticed how the women's eyes
Passed from him to the strong men that were whole.
How cold and late it is! Why don't they come
And put him into bed? Why don't they come?


27.06.2010

University of Sri Jayawardenepura/External Degree Program/English

Critical Reading

Read the following text and comment on it.

The absence of the legendary Amitabh Bachchan and other leading Indian film stars, at the International Indian Film Awards (IIFA) ceremony to be held in Colombo today, has indicated the seriousness of the problems confronting Sri Lanka, UNP MP Rosie Senanayaka said yesterday.
She told a news conference in Colombo, that IIFA being staged in Colombo, was undoubtedly a great honour to Sri Lanka, but the failure of the Mahinda Rajapaksa government to offer the Tamils a dignified political solution to their long standing greivances, had resulted in leading Indian film stars coming under intense pressure, not to attend.
"The 11th IIFA ceremony is like a wedding without a bride. Amithab Bacchan, considered the god father of IIFA, his wife Jaya, son Abishek, daughter-in- law Aishwarya Rai, Sharuk Khan, Kajol and many prominent film personalities are not attending IIFA, due to protests in India against their visiting Sri Lanka.Leading South Indian stars such as Rajinikanth, Kamal Hassan and Mani Ratnam, too have decided to skip the show."
Senanayake said that Bollywood with a viewership of over 600 million, was an even bigger industry than Hollywood. But, an opportunity to boost Sri Lanka in the eyes of the world, including promoting trade and tourism, had backfired, due to the short sighted policies of the Rajapaksa government.
"The LTTE had to be dealt with. But capturing territory and Prabhakaran’s head, does not mean Tamil issues are going to disappear. Tamil nationalism, dignity, power sharing and equality have to be addressed,"she said. "Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe foresaw all this. That is why, he tried to resolve the problem politically. But, a majority of the people misunderstood his intentions."
Not even money can buy an event of the magnitude of IIFA. The IIFA Board has to be thanked for staging the awards ceremony in Colombo. But, they obviously did not realise the seriousness of the problems confronting Sri Lanka, Senanayake said.
She said that the Rajapaksa government was under an illusion that the end of the war, meant the causes for a three decade old conflict would simply vanish. But, unfortunately, reality has dawned when an international show of the magnitude of IIFA was being hosted by Sri Lanka. Such protests are bound to recur in the future as well, unless a speedy solution is found to Tamil grievances.
"President Rajapaksa claims that 90 per cent of the Tamil IDPs have been given make shift homes. But it is a false statement. Only one third of the 300,000 odd IDPs have been given make shift homes. Another one third, have taken temporary refuge in their relatives houses due to atrocious conditions in the camps," Senanayake said."Human Rights violations, blatant disregard for democratic norms and the lack of good governance, has resulted in the distinct possibility of Sri Lanka losing GSP+ concessions for its exports to the European Union. If the dreadful happens, 300,000 persons will lose their jobs, resulting in over a million people being left in the lurch."

Sources: The Island
05.06.2010

Publications

1.Effective Classroom Management
2.Discourse Analysis
3.Professional English-Grammar
4.English for Communication
5.Sri Lankan Short Stories
6.English Short Stories
7.Sri Lankan Poetry
8.Failure of Adult Learners to communicate In English

D.N. Aloysius

My Universities



University of Colombo
BA in English -1988/1992





University of Peradeniya
PGD in English- 1996/97





University of Kelaniya
MA -1999/2000





University of Colombo
M.Phil leading to Ph.D-2007/2012


Wayamba University of Sri Lanka
Teaching Methodology-2007





Open University of Sri Lanka
LL.B Level 3&4 1986/87













Vavuniya Campus affiliated to University of Jaffna
Employed from 1995-1996










Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
Presently employed-From 1996-upto now









University of Sri Jayawardenepura
Visiting Lecturer in English (External Degree Program/English) from 1998-upto now





Open University of Sri Lanka
Visiting Lecturer in English- Professional English Course/ Anuradhapura Regional Centre
From 1994-upto now


Mr. D.N. Aloysius
Lecturer in English/Subject Coordinator/English
Department of Humanities
Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities
Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
Mihintale
Sri Lanka

Contact 025-2236029 Residence
071-8309137 Mobile
071-7907536 Mobile
025-2266789 University (Dept. of Humanities)
025-2266650 University (General)
025-2266788 Fax
dnaloysius@yahoo.com e-mail
nishanthaaloysius@gmail.com e-mail


Residence University
No.70 Department of Humanities
Jaffna Road Faculty Social Sciences and Humanities
Anuradhapura Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Mihintale
Sri Lanka

Academic Qualifications
• M.Phil leading to Ph.D University of Colombo (Thesis completed)
• MA University of Kelaniya
• PGD University of Peradeniya
• BA University of Colombo
Professional Qualifications
• Teaching Methodology Course (Staff Development Programme)
Most Attentive Participant’s Award
Wayamba University of Sri Lanka
• Specialized English Trained Teacher (English Teachers’ Training College- Mirigama)
• Teaching Practice- Distinction

Visiting Lecturer
• Business Communication Faculty of Management Studies
Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
• Professional English Open University of Sri Lanka
• English for Technology Open University of Sri Lanka
• English Language
• English Language Teaching Methodology
• English Literature University of Sri Jayawardenepura External Degree Course
• English Language
• English Literature
• Buddhist Literature Buddhasravaka Bhiksu University
• English Language
• English Literature B.Ed/NIE Maharagama
• English Language
• English Literature Distance Education/NIE Maharagama
• English for Nursing School of Nursing
Military School of Nursing
• English for Engineers (NCP)
IELTS/TOEFL Institution of Engineers of Sri Lanka
(IESL)
• Communication skills Faculty of Applied sciences,
Rajarata University of Sri Lanka

Research
• Failure of the majority of adult learners to communicate in English
Publications
1. Professional English –Grammar
2. Professional English – Speaking
3. Collection of Short Stories /Edited (in printing)
4. Selected Poems/Edited (in printing)
5. Sri Lankan Poetry/Edited (in printing)
6. Discourse Analysis (in printing)
7. Selected Poems-University of Sri Jayawardenepura (External Degree Program)
(in printing)
8. Selected Short Stories- University of Sri Jayawardenepura (External Degree Program)
(in printing)

9. Syllabus and Past Question Papers- University of Sri Jayawardenepura (External Degree Program) (in printing)

Articles to Refereed Journals
• Use of Language in Different Contexts (Faculty Journal - (Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities)

Resource Person
• Regional English Supporting Centre – RESC- Anuradhapura
• Ceylinco Sussex College – Anuradhapura
• Chalk and Chauser English School -Anuradhapura
• Certificate in Higher Education Course- Resource Centre- Anuradhapura
• Diploma in English- Rajarata University of Sri Lanka- Mihintale
• Diploma in English – Buddhasravaka Bhiksu University- Anuradhapura

Designing Syllabi
English Language, English Literature and Buddhist Literature – (English for General Degree Course at Buddhasravaka Bhiksu University- Anuradhapura
English Language, English Literature, Buddhist Literature and Business Communication – (English for External English Courses at Buddhasravaka Bhiksu University- Anuradhapura)


Syllabus Revision
English Language and English Literature (English for General Degree Course at Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Mihintale

Warden
For 2007/2008/2009/2010
• Hostel for the Medical Students
• Hostel for the Management Students

Student Counsellor
• For 2007/2008/2009/2010 (Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities)

Head/ELTU -Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
• From 01.04.2000 – 15.08.2001
• From 16.01.2010 - 16.03.2010

Supervisor for Postgraduate Diploma Students- University of Colombo
• Year 2006/2007
• Year 2009

Course Director/External English Courses - Buddhasravaka Bhiksu University- Anuradhapura
• From 01.01.2006 to 31.08.2008

Course Coordinator/External English Courses - Buddhasravaka Bhiksu University- Anuradhapura
• From 01.01.2003 to 01.01.2006



Senate Member
• From 01.04.2000 – 15.08.2001
• From 16.01.2010 - 16.03.2010

Faculty Member
• From 02.06.2006 to date

Examinations
• Setter
• Moderator
• First Examiner
• Second Examiner
• Member of the Faculty Results Board
• Invigilator
• Supervisor
Committee Member
• Seminar series
• Orientation Programme
• QEF/IRQUE Activity 03
• Prospectus –Handbook
• Postgraduate Diploma in Education
Newsletter
• Sub Editor

Faculty Journal
• Member of the Editorial Board

Departmental Journal
• Member of the Editorial Board

Dhamma School Programme – NCP
• Council Member

Awards
• Most Attentive Participant’s Award for the year 2007 (Teaching Methodology Course) Staff Development Centre -Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

Teachers’ Welfare Association - Faculty f Social Sciences and Humanities
• Treasurer
Workshops and Seminars attended
• Syllabus Revision
• Research Proposal Writing
• Counselling
• E-Learning
• Teaching Methodology
Presentations
• Effective Classroom Management -Wayamba University of Sri Lanka
• Qualities of a Good Language Teacher- Ceylinco Sussex College
• Importance of English for Engineers -Institution of Engineers of Sri Lanka
• English for Adult Learners –University of Colombo

Career History
• English Assistant Teacher (Education Department)
• Specialized English Trained Teacher (Education Department)
• Master Teacher (English) (Education Department)
• ISA- In Service Advisor (English) (Education Department)
• Instructor in English Grade 11 (Vavuniya Campus affiliated to Jaffna University)
• Instructor in English Grade 1 (Rajarata University of Sri Lanka)
• Head/ELTU (Rajarata University of Sri Lanka)
• Probationary Lecturer in English (Rajarata University of Sri Lanka)
• Lecturer in English (Rajarata University of Sri Lanka)
• Subject Coordinator/English (Rajarata University of Sri Lanka)


Schools attended
• A/Pahala Kudapattiya Vidyalaya (Grade 01 – Grade 08)
• A/Kahatagasdigiliya MV (Grade 09 – Grade 10)
• Adv. L as a private candidate
Other Qualifications
• LL.B Level- 03 and 04 Open University of Sri Lanka

Articles to University Magazines
1. William Blake- Rajarata Sarasavi Handa (Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities)
2. Hamlet – A Revenge Play -Rajarata Sarasavi Handa (Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities)
3. Learning English as a Second Language- Management Matters (Faculty of Management Studies)
4. Effective Classroom Management- Novel Approaches in Teaching in Higher Education- Selected Topics (Staff Development Centre- Wayamba University of Sri Lanka)

Articles to English Newspapers
1. Regional University Colleges
2. National Universities and Affiliated University Colleges
3. LL.B and Open University
4. Extra Classes after school
5. Open University Professional English Course
6. Challenges of a new university
7. Improving the quality of universities
8. Affiliated university students disappointed
9. Rajarata University –degree with English as a subject
10. New government and its impact
11. Let the flowers bloom

Articles to Sinhala Newspapers
1. Divaina Wataravuma -15 Articles
2. Divaina Piyassa -Dayabara Sisu Daruwa
3. Divaina-Akalpa- Tisahamy mama vetatai

Short Stories
• Sweet Boy
• Judgement

Poetry
• Duwa balanna…
• Women’s Day
• Politics sans morality

Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation/Rajarata Sevaya/Rajarata FM
• Designing and presenting a live Radio Programme, Guwan Thaksalawa on Saturdays from 5.30 p.m. to 5.45 p.m.

Otherwise chaotic atmosphere

The editorial of the Island on Saturday reveals that the government should take into consideration the enormous cost of the Cabinet meetings scheduled to be held from place to place in each district throughout the island. There will be more than forty ministers, their security personnel and bureaucrats going out of Colombo for Cabinet meetings. Most probably, their spouses and other family members of Ministers will also join them on those tours. This has become a controversial issue today and I personally think that it is the duty of the president to look into the current controversy. We should not forget that there are many anti government elements both local and overseas being activated insidiously. Hence, we should not leave room for the rivals to conspire against the government, which is expected to deal with numerous problems confronted by the general public. The government has already increased the price of some essential commodities, which the people feel very much. The sudden drop of the car market hardly affects the poor and needy people in the country. We live with them. They are not happy at all about what is happening now. We are quite aware that our president is prudent and sensible. He is also sensitive enough to feel the heart beat of the innocent and impoverished people. We, therefore, hope that he will respond to all these humble indirect requests. Otherwise, anti government elements will use this opportunity to create a chaotic atmosphere all over the country.

D.N. Aloysius
Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
26.06.2010

Tendency to learn languages for A/L in Anuradhapura

At present, many A/L students at Anuradhapura seem to be more enthusiastic in learning languages for their A/L Examination. Their parents, too, motivate them to study English, French and Japanese for their A/Ls. This can be seen as a great tendency to learn languages for such a higher examination. It is true that Anuradhapura is far away from Colombo and Kandy, where there are more facilities for the students to learn the above languages. However, a remote district like Anuradhapura hardly had this opportunity and as a result our rural students were not privileged enough to study English, French and Japanese for their A/Ls in the past. Nevertheless, the situation is quite different today. There are many students, who excel in English Language and English Literature, for which some students have obtained A passes in their O/L Examination. Numerous factors immensely contribute to this dramatic breakthrough.
Major factor I feel is that the way they have been looked down upon by those, who were fluent in English those days. I well remember how those so- called English educated arrogant people ridiculed us when we tried to utter a word in English. They laughed at our accent and the way we pronounced some English words. Consequently, we were absolutely demoralized and discouraged to speak in English. We were the parents and teachers of these young children, who are now very fluent in English and maintain both British and American standards. They are now learning not only English, but also two foreign languages, French and Japanese for their A/Ls. They are also competent in both British and American accents. Yet, those who mocked at the accent of the rural poor children are still confined to the Sri Lankan English. I think this may be the prominent factor for encouraging the rural students of Anuradhapura to learn languages for their A/Ls.
At present, we have more graduate teachers, who studied English, French and Japanese for their degrees in the university. Some teachers have followed their master’s degrees in their respective subjects and well qualified for disseminating knowledge to the students at school. The most significant fact is that almost all such teachers are from Anuradhapura and its outskirts. Hence, our students need not go to the other leading schools in Colombo and Kandy. We have all such facilities and resources at Anuradhapura today. Availability of competent teachers and their superb performance is another outstanding factor for the above progress.
Third factor, according to my point of view is that the goal, need and interest of our students and parents to learn languages for A/Ls. They really sacrifice and devote more time, money and labour for this great venture.
It is now quite apparent that the above three prominent factors make immense contribution to the great tendency of students to learn languages for their A/Ls. This is really a great achievement our children have gained through their concerted effort during the past few years.

D.N. Aloysius
Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
25.06.2010