PGIE launches innovative new programme

On January 23, the PGIE (Post Graduate Institute of English) affiliated to the Open University of Sri Lanka, launched a unique programme in teaching literature, leading to a postgraduate diploma or master’s qualification. Director of the PGIE, Dr. Hemamala Ratwatte, speaking at the event highlighted the uniqueness of the programme – a clear first in the country and the region.

Dr. Ratwatte pointed out that while literature has long been recognised as an important part of language teaching and Sri Lanka has had English Literature as part of the GCE O’L and A’L curriculum, there has been little focus on the specific challenges of teaching unfamiliar literature in a less familiar language. Many Sri Lankan teachers and students have problems with the English language and the study of alien literatures through this medium therefore poses a dual challenge.

The PGIE’s “Teaching Literature in a Second Language Context” programme seeks to address these dual challenges and develop capacity among teachers and other literature practitioners in the country. The programme looks to develop practical pedagogical knowledge based on a sound theoretical knowledge base. In addition to enhancing local teacher capacities, the PGIE envisages that the research carried out by its students on issues in teaching literature in English as a second language context will contribute to knowledge as well as praxis internationally.

Programme director Dr. Harshana Rambukwella said that the programme looks at the entire notion of literature innovatively and tries to take a very broad approach. In addition to traditional elements such as fiction, poetry and drama, it looks at how the notion of literature has changed dramatically over the past few decades to include things like advertisements, popular culture and online media.

Giving hands-on experience to students on a wide range of literature, the programme also integrates a strong focus on literary theory – an area that has received little attention in the school curriculum. With its teaching focus, the programme also specifically looks at various aspects of teaching literature: for instance, how to select appropriate texts, what teaching methodologies to adopt, how to assess students in a literature programme, etc.

Chief Guest at the launch, Vice Chancellor of the Open University of Sri Lanka, Dr. Vijitha Nanayakkara appreciated the programme’s attempt to move away from the traditional “English Literature” focus and adopt an approach that integrates all types of literature – Sinhala, English, Tamil and various other world literatures. The Vice Chancellor stressed the need to move away from the traditional “kaduwa” perception of English to a more inclusive one.

Guest of Honour, Dr. Upali Sedere spoke about the need to adopt new technologies and new approaches to teaching and learning and appreciated the use of multimedia and online resources by the PGIE and the enthusiastic promotion of new methodologies and especially the practice of developing drama through practice.

The PGIE also offers a postgraduate Diploma and Master’s Degrees in Teaching English as a Second Language and a host of shorter programmes such as Critical Literary Reading Skills, Testing and Evaluation in English as a Second Language and Academic Communication Skills. The PGIE is the only postgraduate institute for English in the country operating under the University Grants Commission and in addition to its role of providing a range of postgraduate qualifications in English, it conducts research into the teaching of language and literature in the country and facilitates the introduction of new concepts and methodologies to English education in Sri Lanka.

The Programme PG Diploma/ MA in Teaching Literature in a Second Language Context will be next advertised in July/ August, 2015.