An Investigation into the Zonal Level Administrative Procedures, in order to Find out How English Language Teaching Could be Facilitated in Heterogeneous Classrooms at Junior Secondary Level

Abstract

This research study was carried out as partial fulfillment of the Master Of Education programme - 2005 -2006. As instructed by the faculty of Education the area for the study was confined to the major theme of "Heterogeneity". But it was expanded to look into the administrative procedures of the zonal education office that facilitate English Language teaching in heterogeneous classrooms. Therefore, the title of the study was decided as follows. "An investigation into the zonal level administrative procedures in order to find out how English language teaching could be facilitated in heterogeneous classrooms at junior secondary level". As the scope of the study had to be limited to suit the circumstances only the junior secondary level was selected and only one education zone was taken as the sample of the study. The schools that comprised the sample were Sripalee Maha Vidyalaya, Bellapitiya Kaniata Vidyalaya, Pokunawita Sirimewan Maha Vidyalaya, Wewita Mithree Maha Vidyalaya, Ramukkna Vidyaloka Kaniata Vidyalaya, and Remuna Maha Vidyalaya. One hundred and twenty six students and twenty one teachers from these schools were taken for the study. Six principals of these schools and four in-service advisors and four SLEAS officers at the zonal education office were included in the sample. Questionnaires were administered to twenty one teachers and one hundred and twenty six students in the six schools. Officers at the ZEO, ISAs, Principals and teachers in the sample were interviewed using semi-structured interviewing schedules. Apart from these research tools six classes at junior secondary level were observed using an observation schedule. A l l the data were collected using these instruments and they were analyzed in the report. The problem of heterogeneity in the E L T classrooms was discussed in detail in chapters one and two of the research report while integrating the zonal level intervention in facilitating to minimize this problem. Chapter three is dedicated to explain the methodology used in the study and the fourth chapter describes the findings of the research. The final chapter presents the recommendations based on the findings of the research.