http://repository.lib.vpa.ac.lk/handle/123456789/93 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:47:50 GMT 2026-04-15T00:47:50Z http://repository.lib.vpa.ac.lk/handle/123456789/2389 Building global teaching capacity among pre-service teachers: Epistemological and positional framing in an internationally paired, authentic practicum Kurup, Premnadh M; Li, Xia; Nethsinghe, Rohan; Cherian, Jose; Yang, Yunying Building the capacity of pre-service teachers to work in globalised cross-cultural environments is essential to cope with the challenges of the 21st Century. This study establishes the value of internationally paired, authentically collaborative practicums with strong epistemological and positional framing in pursuing such capacity development. It was conducted among 90 pre-service teachers from three different universities in Australia and India who participated in a three-week paired practicum in three schools in India. The practicum included the collaborative production of an integrated Australian and Indian combined theme presented in a whole school forum. Mixed methods and a design-based research approach yielded data affirming that such a model did indeed provide pre-service teachers with the confidence to teach in increasingly diverse classrooms and contexts, while also identifying which aspects of this practicum model were most influential in this regard Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.lib.vpa.ac.lk/handle/123456789/2389 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repository.lib.vpa.ac.lk/handle/123456789/1836 Social processes that shaped Sri Lankan Sinhala folk music and its characteristics based on the purposes of usage Samarasinghe, K.; Nethsinghe, R. Folk music is the music of the people. People have used folk songs to express different emotions. This research paper argues that the social processes that have shaped Sinhala folk music are multifaceted and have significant cultural and historical implications. By exploring the different categories of Sinhala folk music and their purposes of usage, this study aims to fill the research gap in understanding the characteristics and functions of this musical tradition, highlighting its role in preserving the cultural heritage of the Sinhalese people. Brief explanations of why these songs were used, including how lyrical characteristics and meanings are applied for grouping and naming, are included. Literature on Sri Lankan Sinhala Folk Music that has been published over the years in journals, books, research reports, web articles, and other materials was analysed using qualitative content analysis. It was found that people sing these songs mainly to express their feelings and emotions in addition to a range of other purposes such as communication, passing the time, motivating people, and entertainment. The existing classifications are made mainly considering activities or work-related aspects and meanings of lyrics demonstrating that they are influenced by social interactions. The authors suggest several methods to conserve Sri Lankan Sinhalese traditional music elaborating on the importance of ensuring such preservations. Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.lib.vpa.ac.lk/handle/123456789/1836 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repository.lib.vpa.ac.lk/handle/123456789/1835 Exploring the musical heritage of the traditional sri lankan musical instrument horanewa Wimalasiri, Mahinda Some historical information reveals that the art of ensemble playing in Sri Lanka dates back to the Yaksha, Naga, and tribal eras that existed even before the suggested arrival of King Vijaya. Indigenous ensembles can also be described as an art that evolved with the development of humankind in different periods due to various invasions. A large number of ensemble instruments used by the Sri Lankan village artist from then to now are revealed in bibliographical information such as the Mahavamsa, Thupavamsa, Dambadeniya Asna, Kuveni Asna, and Saddharmalankara. These ensembles are divided into five types, mainly, that which is described as the panchathurya, including aathatha, vithatha, vithathaathatha, ghana and sushira, of which sushira is the calibration of blowing instruments that includes the horanewa as well. The horanewa can be introduced as the only swara/ notes instrument used by the Sinhala folk artist of the day among the instruments of the panchathurya. The main purpose of this research is to investigate the technical methods used in the production of this musical instrument called horanewa and its special techniques adopted in playing. Why does the horanewa instrument used at present not produce its own definite melodic sound? In relation to this question that arose, data were collected, analyzed and interpreted and conclusions were reached. As revealed in this descriptive research, the horanewa is a special musical instrument built with the technology of three traditional manufacturers. This research will be important to introduce and preserve the arts related to this musical instrument which is gradually dying out. Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.lib.vpa.ac.lk/handle/123456789/1835 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repository.lib.vpa.ac.lk/handle/123456789/1834 Exploring the efficacy of utilizing song texts as an instructional tool for teaching the present perfect tenses Embogama, R.M.S.N. Teaching grammar has always posed challenges for English teachers due to the tendency for it to be perceived as boring, resulting in disinterest and poor retention among learners. This study investigates the effectiveness of incorporating songs as an instructional tool for teaching the present perfect tenses in the context of English language learning. It explores whether songs can facilitate a deeper understanding of the tenses’ usage, promote accurate application in authentic contexts, and enhance learners' overall interest in learning English as a second language. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative measurements of learners' performance on a grammar test with qualitative data gathered through focus group discussions. The results indicate that the group taught through the use of songs demonstrated significantly better test scores compared to the control group. Moreover, the qualitative analysis revealed students' positive perceptions of using songs, emphasizing the engaging and enjoyable nature of this approach. The findings align with previous research, highlighting the benefits of using songs in language learning, including increased motivation, engagement, and language proficiency. These results contribute to the growing body of research supporting the incorporation of music into language instruction and suggest its potential as an effective instructional tool for enhancing grammar proficiency. Further research is recommended to strengthen the generalizability of these findings and explore the underlying factors that contribute to the effectiveness of using songs in language learning contexts. Overall, this study emphasizes the importance of embracing innovative and creative approaches to create meaningful language learning experiences for students. Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.lib.vpa.ac.lk/handle/123456789/1834 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z