Abstract:
As English is taught as a compulsory subject in all the universities in Sri Lanka, attention is paid
to the materials used in English courses. It is observed that some universities use general English
language teaching materials (ESL materials) and some use specific English language teaching
materials (ESP materials) which are produced based on different fields. Scholars such as Tom
Hutchinson and Alan Waters are strong believers of teaching ESP who suggest developing the
English curriculum based on different fields of study.
The English language teaching materials used at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University
are based on general English (ESL) not ESP. Hence this paper aims at discussing in detail the
effectiveness, appropriateness and relevance of using general English language teaching materials
for the Officer Cadets who are reading for degrees in various streams through the medium of
English. The paper is based on a research carried out at the University in which students of all
the streams participated in analysing the presently used English language teaching materials. The
paper will further discuss the significance and sufficiency of these materials.
