http://repository.ou.ac.lk/handle/94ousl/3640 2026-09-19T16:08:49Z http://repository.ou.ac.lk/handle/94ousl/3742 TEACHERS AS AGENTS OF LINGUISTIC INNOVATION: TEACHERS’ VIEWS AND UNDERSTANDING OF VOCABULARY OF BRITISH, AMERICAN, AND SRI LANKAN ENGLISH Jayaweera, S. A. D. C. H. One of the challenging issues that has sparked much debate, as a result of the emergence of World Englishes, is the dilemma: “Which English norms are appropriate for English language teaching and testing?”. This issue becomes increasingly critical in the context in which a growing number of Sri Lankans seek international education and employment; thus, the pressure of being successful in standardised English tests such as IELTS and TOEFL is increasingly important. In accounting for the way teachers respond to this dilemma, this study aimed to examine teachers’ attitudes towards and awareness of the vocabulary of British English, American English, and Sri Lankan English. This study employed a participant selection variant design which involves a questionnaire and individual interviews for a more focused and in-depth investigation of five Sri Lankan ESL teachers’ attitudes towards and awareness of vocabulary of British English, American English, and Sri Lankan English. The results revealed that the teachers hold a middle ground that mediates the attitudes of “orthodox linguists” who uphold linguistic uniformity, and the attitudes of “liberal linguists” who promote the linguistic diversity and creativity of new norms. Particularly, the research findings positioned teachers as potential agents of linguistic innovation, as they yield the ability to either reinforce traditional norms or encourage innovative and inclusive approaches to English language teaching and testing. Moreover, the study revealed the complexity and the changing nature of the teachers’ attitudes due to the influence of personal, interpersonal, sociopolitical, and institutional factors. Moreover, the teachers demonstrated limited awareness regarding the correct recognition of vocabulary of the three varieties. However, they demonstrated some awareness of the plurality of English in the context of globalization and localization. The findings of the study suggest the importance of promoting ways to raise teachers’ awareness to prompt an attitudinal objectivity towards the differences between varieties of English while making learners prepared to navigate both international standards and the evolving landscape of English usage for greater mobility. This study provides insights into future research agendas on evaluating teachers’ acceptability judgements towards not only vocabulary but also phonological and syntactic differences between varieties of English. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repository.ou.ac.lk/handle/94ousl/3740 THE INFLUENCE OF CULTURAL HEGEMONIC IDEOLOGY BUILDS THROUGH PORNOGRAPHY ON YOUNG PEOPLE'S PARTNER PREFERENCES: A STUDY IN THE WESTERN PROVINCE OF SRI LANKA Abeynayaka, H. S. H. M. Pornography is influenced by both positive and negative societal discourses, illustrating multiple perspectives on its cultural, ethical, and psychological consequences. Numerous studies have demonstrated that internet pornography has several kinds of sociopsychological consequences. Sri Lanka has been ranked first in terms of searches for the word ‘sex’ on Google. There have also been studies on the influence of cultural hegemony on social behavior through various media messages. In this context, it is more important to examine the impact of internet pornography on young people when selecting their partner. Studying how ideological and cultural hegemonic ideas constructed through pornography affect youth relationships is an important research gap in the present, and this study has attempted to fill that research gap. The main research problem of this research is whether young people are using internet pornography to build an ideological cultural hegemony when selecting their partner. The main objective of this study is to examine whether young people are using internet pornography to build an ideological cultural hegemony when selecting their partner. The study was conducted with a special focus on the Western Province of Sri Lanka. This study utilized a mixed method, integrating quantitative and qualitative research methods. The Online survey method was used to collect data through questionnaires analyzing the responses from 374 participants aged 18 to 29 in the Western Province. SPSS was used for data analysis. The findings of the research indicate that a significant number of young people expect the physical characteristics shown through internet pornography when selecting their partner. Also, the percentage of those who expect sexual activities shown through internet pornography from their sexual partner is high. Based on this data, the research indicates that young people are in a cultural hegemonic ideology built through internet pornography when selecting their partner. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repository.ou.ac.lk/handle/94ousl/3737 IMPACT OF DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS AFFECTING THE WORK LIFE BALANCE AMONG THE FEMALE NON-ACADEMIC STAFF IN A UNIVERSITY IN SRI LANKA Prasath, Vijitha A person’s control over the amount of time spent at work and the amount of time spent outside of work is referred to as work life balance (WLB). Work is just one aspect of life. It should not interfere with personal time. When someone works willingly, attains satisfaction, and is bound to succeed not only at work but also in family life, there is WLB. There are various factors of WLB that influence an individual's personal and work life. The purpose of this study was to examine demographic factors and how they affect the WLB of female non-academic staff in the University of Jaffna. The study adopted a non-parametric approach and a cross-sectional survey design was used. A primary data collection, using modified questionnaires was distributed among a sample of 73 management assistants using the simple random sampling technique from a total population of 150. The measuring tool was a modified WLB questionnaire of Hayman (2005) consisting of 15 questions. The questionnaire was pre-tested. Cronbach’s alpha was calculated, which is greater than 0.7, meaning the instrument is reliable. Statistical analysis of Spearman correlation was done using SPSS. The study aims to investigate the relationship between demographic factors such as income, age, experience, number of children, marital status, type of family, and level of education with WLB. The findings showed that there is a significant relationship between WLB and demographic factors. Higher income can provide more financial freedom and options whereas lower income challenges females to meet family needs. More children can complicate WLB due to increased responsibilities and financial strain. Unmarried females have a WLB greater than married women. The type of family structure can significantly influence WLB, in terms of the support received from family members. Nuclear families often experience more stress whereas extended families can provide support to working females. The relationship of age, experience, and level of education is not statistically significant, having values greater than 0.05, which are 0.61, 0.82, and 0.64, respectively. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repository.ou.ac.lk/handle/94ousl/3735 THE EMPLOYMENT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGNECE (AI) POWERED CHATBOTS AND VOICE ASSISTANTS TO IMPROVE ENGLISH SPEAKING PROFICIENCY: IMPACT ON UNDERGRADUATES IN SRI LANKA Jayakody, Asha Consequences of globalization and the rapid digital transformation of the world have elevated the necessity of second language learners to excel in English speaking skills to compete in academic and professional settings. The major objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of AI powered tools in enhancing students’ fluency in English speaking. The incorporation of AI powered chatbots and voice assistants represents a new approach that caters to this knowledge gap. Furthermore, this study explored the efficacy of these tools in improving oral competence through interactive and constructive opportunities to interact with the English language. The research sample consisted of 120 undergraduates in disciplines of Business and Information Technology from the University of Kelaniya, Sabaragamuwa University and Informatics Institute of Technology (IIT) representing both state and private university sectors. The study was conducted during a period of 6 weeks. The mixed method approach was utilised, including surveys, focus group conversations and recorded AI assisted conversations focused on perceptions of students, levels of engagement and improvements in oral proficiency. As per findings of the study, AI powered tools have positively impacted the fluency in speaking, vocabulary building, and confidence in language communication. All three universities evidenced that AI powered tools offer learners with immediate and real-life opportunities for communicative competence reducing over-reliance on classroom based and teacher-centered speaking activities. In relation to vocabulary acquisition, AI powered applications were employed during the intervention sessions and informally during peer learning activities. Results depicted a lower level in vocabulary acquisition deriving limitations owing to the lack of technological infrastructure and free access to AI tools. In terms of pronunciation, AI powered voice assistants such as SIRI and Google Assistant promoted accurate pronunciation though instant feedback and technologies in speech recognition. Furthermore, interviews with selected students from the sample evidenced that the unavailability of cultural barriers and fear of judgement upsized the confidence level in speaking in English and the constant engagement with the language. The integration of AI technology in ESL pedagogy in Sri Lankan universities was identified as a key requirement to fulfil the knowledge gap and the global professional demand for undergraduates. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z