Building bridges” - National Integration through the teaching of the Second National Language

Abstract

At the culmination of the more than two decades of the secessionist conflict in Sri Lanka, understanding between the two main ethnic groups is imperative in building social cohesion. Since language is the vehicle through which communication takes place learning each others’ language is vital. Thus, teaching the Second National language (Sinhala to Tamils and Tamil to Sinhalese nationals) in the schools is critical factor in forging social cohesion in Sri Lanka. According to the Education Reforms (1977), the teaching of the second National Language was to be introduced both at primary and secondary levels in schools. However, according to research this initiative has not been very successful. One of the main reasons for this is lack of teachers. This paper is based on a survey of the status of the Second National Language Teaching and Learning in the National Colleges of Education. The main objective of this study was to inform policy formulation and enable comprehensive systematic intervention for effective implementation of the second National language teaching and learning in the school system. Some of the findings of this study had since then been implemented. This paper examines how further action could be taken to improve the teaching of the Second National Language in the national school system, thereby facilitating national integration.