Abstract:
Even though every child commences to learn English from their nursery, even after thirteen
years of education of the English language, there are students who are unable to pass the
General English language paper in the Advanced level examination. This study provides an
insight into English language teaching at government schools in the Biyagama Divisional
Secretariat in Gampaha district. The purpose of this study is twofold. It sets out to examine
firstly, whether the English language teaching methodology that is used is effective and
secondly, to suggest strategies that can make English language teaching at government
schools effective. Thus the primary purpose of this study is not only to report and inform but
also to investigate and identify beneficial ways of teaching English. The study adopts a mixed
method approach, comprising both qualitative and quantitative data: questionnaire and lesson
observations. Both data collecting methods are carried out to investigate whether government
English teaching classrooms still follow traditional teaching methods and comprise teachercentered
classrooms rather than following communicative language teaching in a learner
centered classroom. The findings of the study indicate that a change in language teaching
methodology and consequently a change of teaching and learning should take place in these
selected government schools.
