Analysis of Technology Utilization in Sri Lankan State Universities’ English Teaching and Learning Process

Abstract

This research paper intends to identify the technological devices utilized for English lan- guage acquisition processes in Sri Lankan state universities. The majority of non-linguistic undergraduates face the challenge of conducting their degree programs in English. Hence, both the English language lecturers and the undergraduates utilize different and innovative techniques and technological devises to upscale their English language proficiency. Being in the technological era, both the lecturers and the undergraduates use different digital approaches to make their language education successful. Hence, this research carries the results of eight lecturers and 16 undergraduates from eight geographically spread state universities selected under purposive sampling. The utilized data collection method was semi structured interviews and classroom observations in both virtual and physical contexts. The key findings revealed that the lecturers try to integrate digital games, online activities, interactive boards but do not have as much success with the higher number of undergraduates. Meanwhile, the discussions with lecturers revealed that digital literacy too creates a huge barrier to maximizing student participation. On the other hand, a considerable number of students are using artificial intelligence to get their activities done, and most of them heavily rely on online translators to produce the necessary English output they require as they expressed. Very few students out of the sample mentioned using the free subscriptions of BBC English Learning, Dulingo, and Englishpod101 to improve their proficiency, but not frequently. In a holistic view, undergraduates at state universities have found more instant remedies to get the tasks done than long-term, dedicated practices. While the lecturers’ effort to familiarize podcasts, interactive boards, and real-time virtual games too find difficult but are not genuinely supported by the undergraduates in the teaching process.