Dear Madubhashini - So lovely to hear you, as a student of your father who taught me Linguistic in late 60s and 70s. He formed my use of Sinhala language to date and the love to learn English. I studied Sinhala, Economics at University. I came to England following my future husband, he was ashamed of me making mistakes and poor spelling. However, he was instrumental in developing my English. I worked so hard to build my confidence and improve my English on the foundation of "Wag Vivaharaya" learnt from my beloved teacher " Professor JB". I had the pleasure of hosting him in the UK with Professor Luxman S Perera. There were three generations teachers and students at that event. I was awarded for my teaching, for that, I pay gratitude to my great teachers in Sri Lanka. I am still improving my English, even at retired age. I couldn't agree with you more for practicing English without shame to improve. Pushpa Kalubowila-Padmapreuma.
Excellent ! When I was a teacher, I also made aware my pupils of how to overcome anglophobia. I learnt a lot more from your conversation. Thank you very much.
She is right. As a retired teacher I say you can develop your personality even by learning to have the correct posture the way to sit walk and talk politely in what ever language. As this lady said how to shake hands by looking at their eyes, how to use the folk and spoon in the correct way even if you don't use spoons to eat will build your overall confidence. The language learning will automatically improve with confidence with these small changes in your life. Start reading with children's books and go for the higher ones you can use internet for the correct pronunciation. They are some of my ideas to learn English and also build your confidence.
Very down to earth person. English is an international language. Don't be shy to speak. There are so many different words in english language which gives you the same meaning. E g. You can say she's a brilliant teacher, an amazing teacher or an excellent teacher. Using all three words mean the teacher you're taking about is a very good teacher. Reading, listening how others speak and always try to speak in english will make you speak fluently. Remember practise makes you perfect.!!!
As I feel this is a very priceless speech. I don't try to explain about presenter. But ma'am you are an amazing leady who was born in sri lanka. You are a gift that we have got. Respect ma'am and proud of you.
SIRASA TV, PLEASE BRING THIS LADY BACK FOR ANOTHER PROGRAMME WITH AT LEAST AN HOUR, TO TALK ON THE SAME SUBJECT BUT WITHOUT THIS MAN WHO IS SUCH A DISTURBANCE.
Some people do add accents...and some don't. But there's also a fact that some people naturally accommodate such skills...and speak like a native English speaker. So dear Madubashini, pls don't discourage students if they sound like a native naturally. Great program and thank you for sharing your thoughts. And Bandula, I wish you see this comment, please be respectful as an announcer. Let the guest speak and completely express her ideas. Thank you
Pathikada is a good program. I too have undergone some of the things she mentioned. Although my parents spoke english well i was hesitant to speak in English. When a trousered person knocks the door we go and called my mother or dad whoever available. My dad always said don't think of wearing longs if you can't speak English.
1. Create Vocabulary 2. Understand the meaning of each word 3. Form simple sentences using each word If one has access to internet, listen to RU-vid “Learning English written/spoken” . Two versions available British/ American. To SL, British is more acceptable. Each child/person will adopt their accent!
She is speaking the truth; a life lesson; very simple fact which is happening at all over the world, quote 14.34 'do not ever let anyone make you feel down MENTALLY'. I from Sri Lanka and live in Australia for more than 15yrs, but here it's same I have experienced this terrible thing in my life as a child to an adult. So many people trying to make you feel down mentally. Starting from home (could be by siblings or elders), at school; (by peers or older school kids), at work, or by politicians etc. It's happening everywhere and it's not just limited to learning to speak. The harsh truth of the world. So it's up to our parents as she says, build a platform, that as a child, let them feel that we are all born equally and give them chance to learn good things from education first, then at least the kid feel safe and have some confidence. Then it's carried to teachers and so on. And to all those people who laugh at the mistakes are all bullies, who at some stages of their lives, they've experienced being bullied. So they have poor mentality already. Therefore don't let them break your confidence, instead have sympathy. Just like the Buddha say, until every mother/ father/ leader of a country/ world, thinks that every child is their own, then the world will be beautiful. Until if that time comes, the world is both a good and bad place, so we all have to be mentally prepared. So if someone laugh at your mistakes, have sympathy towards them, don't feel bad for yourself.
I really appreciate for highlighting the facts about accentism, and I hate people being accentists. Truly believe that "English is not to impress, but to express". Also, I am a BA undergraduate at CINEC, and really proud for being a student of madam Parvathi Nagasundaram. She is a legend.
Sounds great ..,but just majority who surrenderd to kind of tv presentation ,all we are matured enough ,and we are too late for fixing our mistakes .highly appreciate you regarding encouragement of our posterity to build up their spoken skill to achive their goals ,dreams through the english language.thanks you to impart your knowledge and,experience with us. 🙏
Great discussion, why don’t we adapt this theory into education system. Need to fix the children. It’s too late to fix some adults. We need someone like you as secretary of education. Ascent is something comes as a secondary thing. These days more people speak American English. More importantly English is important to get the message across, let’s use as a method of communication not to judge each other as society All the best and keep up the good work.
This is a very good interview. Even in countries like Canada, we have so many different accents. Sometimes even I don't understand what some people say but I would never make fun of them because so many people speak the lanuage differently.
you are mostly true but one's language personality depends on standard accent and not in the accustomed accent. But anyway the main purpose of a language is 'exchanging ideas' If you convey your ideas in whatever the form ,either in broken or deformed accent , it is wise of you . you are a blessing to our English !
I appreciate all your advice except for your attitude towards people who are interested in learning English with proper pronunciation. I respect your intention of appreciating the people who are Sri Lankan English professors in Oxford with Sinhalese English pronunciation. However, I cannot justify your attitude towards the people who pronounce English properly while following the British or American English pronunciation. I do believe that one can learn the proper British or American accent if he is passionate about the accent. Just because you follow Sri Lankan English pronunciation, you can't frown upon the avid admirers of proper English pronunciation. I believe that the people who can pronounce English more appropriately are always praised by native speakers. You also implied that Sri Lankan professor does not have any British accent while he is in Sri Lanka. You also mentioned that he might use the British accent when he speaks to a British speaker. Does that mean he still follows the British accent? Does it not mean that following proper pronunciation is personal and it cannot be a terrible mistake to follow the proper pronunciation? Your comments discourage the teachers who are interested in improving the pronunciation of British or American English. You can also encourage the teachers who make terrible pronunciation errors. I do not understand why you had to insult the people who support such British or American pronunciation after studying pronunciation ( phonology ) while following your degrees. I believe you are aware of all the aspects of 'connected speech' as well. Yet you seem to underestimate the value of proper pronunciation. To conclude, I would like to appreciate your achievements and writing skills. You are undoubtedly exceptionally talented. Nonetheless, I do not believe that the people who prefer British or American pronunciation are wasting their time because it is not a cardinal sin to pronounce the English words accordingly. Finally, you are entitled to your opinion and so are the others. So do not discourage people who embrace such accurate pronunciation because it is not their fault that you do not follow the proper pronunciation. It is like telling you to stop writing books because I have not written any!!!
Dear Sir Bandula learn to listen and be respectful & tactful when you stop ideas of resource person, your role should be a facilitator more than a time keeper
Please consider creating the audio book of your two books for the benefit of the vision impaired. Jpura uni has an audio book production unit. The vision impaired deserve to have this knowledge too. I greatly appreciate your dedication to making English a pleasant subject
I will tell an easy way, just watch English movies with English subtitle. you will feel very confident. also, do not start with grammar, just go with the simple speaking system.
You gave us Great ideas . Respect you madam. Mr. Bandula. Don"t interrupt like that when she delivering her ideas. Shame on you man. Be humble and mind your attitude.
Oba thumiya harima Nihathamani kenek Mokada Mama Inne Rata Habai Me minisu kawadawath Waradunata hina wenne Na English danne Natham kelin kiyanawa Ape Aya waradunama Apahasayata lak karala hina wenawa.
Kind advice to the program coordinator, Please let the resource person to go on his/her route. If you have any planned content, please let him know before the session. Do not disturb the flow in the middle. Otherwise, this kind of programs are useless. really useless!.
“LISTENING is the BEGINNING” is the slogan. Idiomatic proverbs are popularly defined as short expressions of popular wisdom. They improve English vocabulary and English culture and wisdom (character building) The shortcut method to teach, to speak and to learn English is to hear English proverbs, phrases, sentences,(not words) We learn our mother tongue by ‘listening; to what mother/father utter and by repeating (pronouncing) after them. If you are deaf, you cannot speak, you become a DUMB person. [My experience]. I had two sons. when they were aged about two and three years respectively, I used to tell, each morning, three or four times, a short simple proverb like “Two heads are better than one” to be heard by them. Although they did not know the meanings of the words in the proverb, they use to repeat after me and on the following days, like a pair of parrots on their own they repeat aloud, to be heard by me, what they have heard and automatically effortlessly committed into their memory. The following morning I tell another simple proverb repeatedly like “Honesty is the best Police” to be heard by them. The next day or the following days, they not only repeat what they have already learnt by listening/hearing but also the proverbs previously heard and learnt. After a couple of weeks they use to rattle out several proverbs, such as “Barking dogs seldom bite:
I want to listen more conversations and get more ideas from this madam. If anyone knows how to watch her conversations like this or her fb acc please let me know here🙏 Thank you.
