Abstract:
Today, the use of English has become an indispensable part in the lives of every Sri
Lankan. To survive in the new millennium, English is essential. The government has
taken several steps to raise the proficiency of English within the country. English was
introduced as a subject under the technical education in 1980s, with the purpose of
spreading the English knowledge in every part of the country and to minimize the
disparity in learning English. The Higher National Diploma in English conducts by the
Advanced Technological Institute (ATI) is an end result of this task and this study
attempts to test the successes and the failures of the course, in fulfilling the objectives of
the country.
The study has been carried out through a questionnaire survey administered among the
students who are at present following the HND in English at the ATI in Kandy. The
secondary data employed has been assembled from accessing the internet and referring an
array of related books.
Among the conclusions drawn the course provides a good opportunity for the students at
the middle level to learn and improve English. Further it will assist to avoid the vacuum
in learning English. But lack of human and physical resources exist as restrictions for the
students to reach a standard position. Hence the resources available within the country
should be utilized fully to give them a good opportunity than at present.
