Oral test segment for GCE (O/L) English

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The proposed oral test segment, scheduled to be implemented along with the English Language question paper at the GCE (OL) Examination from next year will largely benefit schoolchildren in their endeavour of finding employment opportunities, Education Minister Bandula Gunawardane said.

He said such an English oral test that will be commenced with the GCE (O/L) English Language paper for the first time in Sri Lanka will encourage schoolchildren on the value of English speaking ability.

Minister Gunawardane told the Sunday Observer that schoolchildren, from their younger days should focus more attention towards learning job-orientated subjects such as Science, Commerce, Mathematics, Economics and Information Technology, while improving their ability of English speaking.

"This is why the Government has decided to introduce the oral test segment for the GCE (O/L) Examination as a pilot project."

"It is also the duty of parents and teachers to help their children to improve the English speaking ability, considering their future education prospects in Sri Lanka or abroad".

Minister Gunawardane further emphasized the importance of learning many other foreign languages including Korean, French, German, Chinese and Japanese, since these subjects are also very important to find employment opportunities.