Abstract:
This research study was carried out as partial fulfillment of the Master Of
Education programme - 2005 -2006. As instructed by the faculty of Education the area
for the study was confined to the major theme of "Heterogeneity". But it was expanded to
look into the administrative procedures of the zonal education office that facilitate
English Language teaching in heterogeneous classrooms. Therefore, the title of the study
was decided as follows.
"An investigation into the zonal level administrative procedures in order to find
out how English language teaching could be facilitated in heterogeneous classrooms at
junior secondary level".
As the scope of the study had to be limited to suit the circumstances only the junior
secondary level was selected and only one education zone was taken as the sample of the
study. The schools that comprised the sample were Sripalee Maha Vidyalaya, Bellapitiya
Kaniata Vidyalaya, Pokunawita Sirimewan Maha Vidyalaya, Wewita Mithree Maha
Vidyalaya, Ramukkna Vidyaloka Kaniata Vidyalaya, and Remuna Maha Vidyalaya. One
hundred and twenty six students and twenty one teachers from these schools were taken
for the study. Six principals of these schools and four in-service advisors and four
SLEAS officers at the zonal education office were included in the sample.
Questionnaires were administered to twenty one teachers and one hundred and twenty six
students in the six schools. Officers at the ZEO, ISAs, Principals and teachers in the
sample were interviewed using semi-structured interviewing schedules. Apart from these
research tools six classes at junior secondary level were observed using an observation
schedule. A l l the data were collected using these instruments and they were analyzed in
the report.
The problem of heterogeneity in the E L T classrooms was discussed in detail in
chapters one and two of the research report while integrating the zonal level intervention
in facilitating to minimize this problem. Chapter three is dedicated to explain the
methodology used in the study and the fourth chapter describes the findings of the
research. The final chapter presents the recommendations based on the findings of the
research.
