The year 1 undergraduate talent show of students following the English programs offered by the English Language Teaching Unit of the University of the Visual and Performing Arts (U VPA)
“Aesthetic Initiative through English”, a talent show organized by the English Language Teaching Unit of the University of the Visual and Performing Arts, was held recently at the Lionel Edirisinghe Rostrum of the Faculty of Music.
The Chief Guest was the Vice Chancellor of the University, Snr. Prof. Sarath Chandrajeewa. The event aimed at showcasing the English Language skills and performing skills of the first year students of the University.
Head of the ELTU, Senior Lecturer Sumudu Embogama said, this talent show was meant to provide an enabling platform for the freshers to demonstrate their creative talents using English language as the medium of expression.
The selection of short English plays were done by getting all the students to perform a short English play of their choice as part of the assessment mechanism of the first year English program. Students were placed into groups and given the choice of adapting or writing a drama script and given ample time during English class sessions to select and practise their chosen items. After the teachers evaluated each group, the best were selected to perform at the Talent show.
She said, the ELTU has begun conducting Year 1 English classes from 8 a.m. to 10 a. m. on weekdays in all three faculties commencing from the 2016/17 academic year and this initiative has resulted in the Unit introducing such collaborative, activity based, student-centric teaching methods. Ms. Embogama believes, the morning dose of English has helped the students to overcome their inhibitions to use English and develop their proficiency in the language.
She expressed her gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Senior Prof Sarath Chandrajeewa for spearheading such an initiative and for his constant support in all ELTU related activities.
A selection of adaptations included the story of Daskon and Pramila, Oedipus, Macbeth, and an original English comedy named Ahenakotath Karachchale.
In addition, two musical items performed by the Year 1 students of the Faculty of Music added much colour to the show. The Head of the ELTU said that she received tremendous support from the senior, temporary and visiting staff members attached to the ELTU which contributed to the immense success of the event, witnessed by a packed audience.