An analysis of the importance of pursuing the BA Hons (English) degree programme in Sri Lanka
Introduction: Second language
learning has become a socially valued vital learning process since it has the
influencing potential to form, manipulate and change the social individual
identities towards positive recognition. In Sri Lanka, English has become the
most prestigious language in society and competence in English is required as
the most obligatory qualification for a person to be recognized in society.
Thus, the educational process of learning English as a second language has
become a highly acknowledged and vital section of the Sri Lankan educational
system.
Objectives: The study aimed to
analyze the impact of the BA (Hons) in English programme in facilitating
individuals with a pedagogy through which they will be able to enrich their
knowledge of the study of language, fields of linguistics, diverse domains of
literature, philosophy and research.
Methodology: The study was
conducted as secondary research and within the secondary data collection
process, the information was gathered and analysed discursively based on
selected secondary sources of information such as scholarly articles, books,
reports etc. The theoretical perspectives and ideologies of Bonny Norton,
Pierre Bourdieu, Chris Weedon, Susan M. Gass, Larry Selinker, Dudley-Evans,
Maggie Jo St John etc. were applied.
Results: Literature studies are considered
an integral part of the BA English curriculum since they can be considered a
source which triggers social empowerment and develops critical and analytical
skills of the students while enabling them to perceive the world through
diverse perspectives. Computational linguistics, an emerging science in the
current educational sphere, strengthens the quality of the BA Hons in English
degree programme by facilitating the coordination between two disciplines,
linguistics and computer science, in producing an innovative language teaching
and learning platform embedded with computer applications and programs. The
undergraduates who follow the BA English degree programme are expected to
develop communication skills in English and other competencies which are needed
for lifelong learning.
Conclusion: The Bachelor of Arts
in English degree can be identified as the most productive educational
programme in providing students with a greater improvement from communicative
competence to mastery of English proficiency. It was observed that graduates
with a BA in English are given more preference than conventional
business-minded graduates since English graduates are identified as super
thinkers, individuals with skills in teamwork, problem solvers with rich
analytical skills and risk takers who handle challenges strategically.
Keywords
English language needs
,
BA(Hons) in English
,
Employability
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