Effectiveness of different strategies used in teaching English in

Vocational education

(With reference to different vocational training institutes in Kurunegala

District)

Name: D.L.K Senaratne

Matric No: LC00049000018

Content

1. Introduction to the paper

2. Research background
3. Problem Statement
4. Research question
5. Significance of the study
6. Objectives of the study
7. Literature survey
8. Review of literature related to the study
9. Methodology
10. Sampling plan
11. Sample for data collection
12. Data analyzing tool
13. Time frame
14. Budget
15. references
Introduction to the paper
The paper respectively contains research background, problem statement, research
question, significance of the study, objectives of the study, literature survey, review of
literature related to the study, methodology, sampling plan, sample for data collection, data
analyzing tool, time frame ,budget and references
Research background
Vocational education prepares trainees for jobs that are based on manual or practical
activities which are related to a specific trade, occupation or vocation. It is sometimes
referred to as technical education as the trainee directly develops expertise in a particular
group of techniques or technology. Vocational education can be classified as teaching
procedural knowledge. It can be at the secondary or post- secondary level and can interact
with the apprenticeship system.

Use of English Language is very important in Vocational Education. In each and every trade
lot of English words can be found. Many courses related to vocational education are carried
out in English medium. As English is one of the widely used international languages in the
world many books and other sources of information regarding the relevant field or trade
are found in English Language. So learning English is very much important in Vocational
education.

Although it is in English, Many trainees or learners of Vocational Education hesitate to

learn English as they consider English as a very difficult language. Most of these trainees or
learners are dropouts from schools and they don’t like to learn a lot. Even in schools they
have missed the opportunity to learn English. So now they hesitate to learn with their fear
towards English.

So this research will be conducted based on the Vocational Training Authority. There are
eight Vocational Training Centres of Vocational Authority in Kurunegala District. They are
at Saragama, Udagama, Hiripitiya, Dagama, Mawathagama, Polgahawela, Hettipola and
Bingiriya. Cookery, Landscaping, Wood Carving, Screen Printing, Tailoring, Beauty Culture,
Secretarial Practice, Electronics are some of the courses that are conducted in these
centres. English Language is taught to these students/ trains in these centres in order to
make them good professionals. But, as mentioned above, the students’ interest varies in
learning English according to their trades. So here the intention of conducting this research
is to find out the interesting strategies that can be used to teach the language effectively to
the students in these Vocational Trading Centres and how successful they are.

Problem Statement
As mentioned above many trainees in Vocational Education centers are not interested in
learning English as a second language. Their main course is not English and they pay
attention only about the trade or the field that they came to learn. But while following the
course they realize that if they had some kind of knowledge about English language they
would do better. But they have a fear towards learning English. So interesting strategies
must be used in teaching them English and the language that is taught should meet their
language needs according to their trades.
Research Question
Following questions will be answered.

1. Do the teachers of English in Vocational Education effectively teach English

language to the trainees?
2. What are the interesting and effective strategies to make such students/ trainees in
Vocational Education centers participate actively in learning English?
3. Are such methods and structures successful and really effective?

Significance of the study

This research will be useful for many parties in the field of vocational education.

To teachers/instructors of English: To improve their teaching process to meet the needs of

the respective trades and the trainees in Vocational Education.

To teacher trainers: To conduct workshops, training programs and train the teacher/
instructors to make their teaching effective.

To ministry officials: for making plans

To funding bodies: to allocate funds

To future researchers: as a base for further research along the topic

Objectives of the Study

General objectives

The general objective of the research is to find out most efficient and successful strategies
used in teaching English language in vocational education. Those strategies should make
the students interested in learning English language.

Specific objectives

To find out the importance of English in vocational education

To find out to which extent do to students rely on English while learning their trade
courses.

To investigate the attitudes of teachers or instructors of English towards teaching English

in Vocational Education
To find out the most efficient and successful strategies of teaching English in Vocational
education

Literature Survey
The term vocational education is gnarl and includes every form of education that aims to
the acquirement of qualifications related to a certain profession, art or employment or that
provides the necessary training and the appropriate skills as well as technical knowledge
for students or trainees. Vocational education can take place at the post-secondary, further
education, and higher education level and can interact with the apprenticeship system. At
post secondary level vocational education is often provided by highly specialized trade,
technical schools, and community colleges, colleges of further education or institutes of
technology.

TVET (Technical and vocational education training) is education and training that provides
the necessary knowledge and skills for employment. It uses many forms of education
including formal, non- formal and informal learning and said to be important for social
equity and inclusion, as well as for the sustainability of development. People obviously
cannot be good craft workers, merchants, soldiers or businessman unless they are not
provided with vocational education. Regardless of their occupation; they are good,
outstanding and according to their condition – well informed human beings and citizens
when they are provided with a good vocational education with a sound knowledge of
English. If the basis is laid through schooling, vocational skills together with English
language communication skills are easily acquired later on.

So together with vocational education English language should be taught to the students in
order to become talented, skillful workers. Interesting strategies should be used in teaching
English Language to the students of vocational education. Most of the instructors are using
traditional methods of teaching second Language. So identifying the weakness of such
methods and introducing effective methods will be discussed in this research.

Many articles published by different people like Pearson can be found regarding vocational
education and they have mentioned the details discussed above.
 Review of Literature Related to the Study
Vocational education can be found in different countries. Different countries have different
ideas towards vocational training. However in almost all the countries teaching English in
Vocational education is considered as an essential part in vocational education. There are
many vocational training institutes in different countries such as Australia, England,
German, Egypt etc.

Methodology

Language and Successful delivery of

communication skills H1 language Language
used by teachers

Effective teaching of English

Technology and Ability to attract and
Language in Vocational
strategies used by H2 maintain interest of
education
teachers the students

maintain student
Correct attitudes and Ability to earn and
soft skills used by H3 maintain trust of the
teachers students trust of the students

Sampling Plan
Vocational training centers in the Kurunegala district will be selected to gather
information. There are eight Vocational Training Centers in the Kurunegala District (as
mentioned above). So, all the English instructors and the students in these centers will be
selected to carry this research.
Sample for Data Collection
A questionnaire will be given to both the English instructors and the students and also thy
will be interviewed. Information will be gathered through the questionnaire and the
interview and the data will be analyzed to get the results.

Data Analyzing Tool

Both the qualitative quantitative data analyzing tools will be used as the data gathered will
be a combination of both types.

Time Frame
September October November December January
2018 2018 2018 2018 2019
Chapter 1

Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5

Budget
Direct cost Description Amount
Travelling to institutes 5000
Professional time 20000
Online books and journals 10000
Printing and stationary 5000
Sub total 40000
Indirect cost 40% of the direct cost 16000
Total 56000
References
www.vtasl.gov.lk

ASTE. "Career and Technical Education - ASTE - aste.usu.edu". aste.usu.edu. Retrieved 2016-02-27.

https://www.ericdigests.org/pre-9216/vocational.htm

https://www.pearson.com/english/catalogue/business-english/vocational-english.html