Prof. K. Radhika M. De Silva

Professor in Language Studies

PhD (Reading, UK); M Ed. (Colombo); MA (Kelaniya); PGDip (TESL) (Colombo); BSc OUSL)

Language Studies
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

RG GS

Contact:

Main Campus, 1st floor, HSSbuilding, ROOM 5

Office: 112881124, Ext: 2211 Mobile: NULL

E-mail: krsil@ou.ac.lk NULL

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Areas of Specialization:

Psycholinguistics; Methodology in Teaching English as a Second Language; Academic writing

Research interests:

Language learner strategy instruction; Language testing and assessment ; Language teacher education; Academic writing; English for Academic Purposes; Open and Distance Learning

Affiliations:

Member – Board of Management (Postgraduate Institute of English) until 2019
Member – Board of Study TESL (Postgraduate Institute of English)
Course Director -Language Testing and Assessment (Postgraduate Institute of English)
Member of the research team on CLiL and Bilingual Education, 2014.

Course Coordination:

BA (Honours) in English & English Language Teaching Level 5

Awards:

Recipient- OUSL Research Award for Best Research in 2021
Asian Development Bank (DEMP Project) Scholarship for Doctoral Studies – 2005
3rd Place Haiku Competition in 2022

Researches:

Research publications in refereed journals (Full paper published)

De Silva, R. & Devendra, D. (2021). Undergraduate Researcher Stories: Insights for Mentoring in an Open and Distance Learning Context. Journal of Education (bujoe). Sage. DOI:10.1177/00220574211032579 (indexed)
De Silva, R. (2021). Assessment Literacy and Assessment Practices of Teachers of English in a South-Asian Context: Issues and Possible Washback. In Lanteigne, B.,Coombe, C, & Brown, J.D. (Eds.). Challenges in Language Testing Around the World. Springer. DOI:10.1007/978-981-33-4232-3_31
Devendra, D.E., & De Silva, R. (2022) A Tracer Study of Graduates of the BA in English and ELT Programme at the Open University of Sri Lanka. Vistas Journal of
the Faculty of Humanities and Social sciences OUSl, 15(1), 1-15.
Pullenayegem, J.C.N., De Silva, K.R.M., Jayatilake, B.G. (2020). Open and Distance Learner Engagement with online mediation tools: An activity theory analysis. Open Praxis, 12(4), pp.469-483. (indexed)
Pullenayegem, J., De Silva, R., Jayatilake, G. (2021). Contradictions in learner interactions in a blended learning writing course: An activity theory analysis. Journal of Learning for Development (JL4D),8 (2), 327-345. (indexed)
De Silva, R. & Devendra, D. (2021). Navigating Challenging Terrain: Lived Research Experiences of Senior Faculty at the Open University of Sri Lanka (submitted to OUSL Journal)
De Silva, R. (awaiting decision). Perceived Research Publication Pressure of Academics: An Exploratory Study at the Open University of Sri Lanka. Submitted to OUSL Journal.
De Silva, R. (2015). Writing strategy instruction: its impact on writing in a second language for academic purposes. Language Teaching Research, 19(3), 301-323. doi:10.1 1/1362168814541738 ltr.sagepub.com (indexed)
De Silva, R., & Graham, S. (2015). The effects of strategy instruction on writing strategy use for students of different proficiency levels. System, 53, 47–59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2015.06.009 (indexed)
De Silva, R. (2012). Tasks and Writing Strategy Use. Is Mapping Out Possible? GSTF Journal for Law and Social Sciences 2,1, 258-263.doi:10.5176/2251-2853_2.1.90 (indexed)
De Silva, R. & Devendra, D. (2015). Responding to English language needs of undergraduates: Challenges and constraints. OUSL Journal, 7, 1-24.
Nilakarawasam, N., De Silva, Radhika, Alwis, D., De Silva, Ransirini, Dilsha, N., Bulathwatta, T. & Athapaththu, B. (2021). A preliminary survey for the identification of influential factors to develop a proactive motivational individual student support system at the OUSL. (submitted to OUSL Journal)
De Silva, R. (2011). Strategy instruction in the language classroom: Issues, concerns and possibilities. VISTAS Journal, 7, 43-59.

Peer-reviewed presentations with evidence at National/International Conferences/Symposia

Published as full papers

De Silva, R. (2015). Mooching off MOOCs: User insights, reflections and implications. Conference Proceedings of the 29^th AAOU Annual Conference, Kuala Lumpur.
De Silva, R. (2013). Rubrics for assessment: Their effects on ESL students’ authentic task performance. Conference Proceedings of the 4^th CELC Symposium, national University of Singapore
De Silva, R. (2001). Students’ Perceptions of English Language Teaching/Learning Experience. Conference proceedings of the Slelta International Conference 2001.
De Silva, R. (2004). Creativity in the Language Classroom. Conference proceedings of the Slelta international Conference 2004.
De Silva, R. ( ). Research Publication OUSL Journal .

Published in abstract form

De Silva, R. (2021). Developing a Computer-Assisted English Language Test for Undergraduates for Diagnostic and Placement Purposes: Challenges and the Way Forward. Conference proceedings of the ALTAANZ Online Research Forum 2021.
De Silva, R. (2017). Assessing Writing: Realities of Weight Allocation in Teacher-made Tests. Paper presented at the Symposium on Second Language Writing at Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand July 2017.
De Silva, R. & Devendra, D. (2015). Self-reflections of student teachers on their practice teaching: an exploratory study. Annual Academic Sessions, Open University of Sri Lanka. November 19-20, 2015.
De Silva, R. (2014). Mooching off MOOCs? User insights and reflections. 29th AAOU Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 30th November-2nd December 2015.
De Silva, R. (2014). How Strategic are we? Listening Test Experience of EGAP Students at OUSL. Open University Academic Sessions 2014.
De Silva, R. (2013). Rubrics for Assessment: Their Effects on ESL Students’ Authentic Task Performance. Paper presented at the CELC Symposium, National University of Singapore, 2013
De Silva, R. (2008). Planning strategies in writing. Paper presented at the Research Symposium at University of Reading, UK. 2008.
De Silva, R. (2010). Writing in a Second Language for Academic Purposes: Coping with the Challenges in Globalising Higher Education. Paper presented at SRHE PGNR Conference at Celtic Manor Resort, Newport, South Wales, UK , 13-14 December 2010.
De Silva, R. (2011). Determining undergraduate students’ English language needs. OUSL Annual Academic Sessions, 2011.
De Silva, R. (2011). Metacognition in writing. OUSL Annual Academic Sessions 2011.
De Silva, R. (2012). Tasks and Writing Strategy Use. paper presented at the AsiaTEFL Conference, Leela Kempinski Hotel, New Delhi, 2012.
De Silva, R. (2007). Towards a Strategic Learning Model of Writing Processes for EAP Learners- Pilot Study (Presented at the Research Forum, Postgraduate Institute of English, 2007).
De Silva, R., Devendra, D. & Bogamuwa, I. (2012). Efficacy of the English for General Academic Purposes (EGAP) course at OUSL – Students’ Perceptions – Paper presented at OUSL Annual Academic Sessions, 2012.
De Silva, R. (2005). Developing social skills in the language classroom. Workshop conducted at the SLELTA Conference 2005.
De Silva, R. (2004). Creativity in the language classroom. SLELTA International Conference 2004.
De Silva, R. (2004). An Investigation of Sources of Pressure on Secondary School ESL teachers. (Presented at the HSS Faculty Annual Academic Sessions, 2004).
De Silva, R. (2002). A Study of Perceptions of Others in Self-Descriptions of Adolescents (Presented at the HSS Faculty Annual Academic Sessions, 2002).
De Silva, R. (2001). A Study of Students’ Perceptions of English Language Teaching/Learning Experience (Presented at NELTA International Conference, Nepal 2001).

Ongoing Research:

Teacher Cognition in English Language Teaching
Tracer study of BA in English and English Language Teaching graduates
Language test construction practices

Research Supervisions:

PhD Thesis Supervision

MA Thesis Supervision

Publications:

De Silva R. (2003) ‹¨« ‹¨«Developing creativity in the ESL classroom‹¨«. In R. Raheem & A. Hamlyn (eds.), Selected papers from the SLELTA 3rd International Conference. British Council: Colombo
-De Silva R. (2001) ‹¨« Students‹¨« perceptions of English language teaching/learning experience in the ESL classroom. In D. Hayes (ed.), Selected papers from the SLELTA 2nd International Conference 2000. British Council: Colombo
De Silva, R. (2014). Language learning: the fascinating role of the human brain. Article published in Seehavalochana– publication to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of KBV.

Chapters and Books of Scholarly Work published in the relevant field

Recognized publisher

De Silva, R. (2021). Assessment Literacy and Assessment Practices of Teachers of English in a South-Asian Context: Issues and Possible Washback. In Lanteigne, B.,Coombe, C, & Brown, J.D. (Eds.). Challenges in Language Testing Around the World. Springer. DOI:10.1007/978-981-33-4232-3_31
De Silva, R. (2020). Inspirational Stories from the English Language Classrooms. TEFLIN, Indonesia

Other Publications:

Translated the Anthology of Sri Lankan Haiku into English (2022).

Contributed to the Anthology of Sri Lankan Haiku (2022).

Published in the Asahi Haikuist Network managed by David McMurray

Published in Haiku Dialogue -The Haiku Foundation

Published in Scarlet Dragonfly Journal

Published in Enchanted Garden Haiku Journal- Translated into Romanian

Published in Poetry from the Edge. Haiku Down Under Anthology 2022

Published in Raining Rengay Journal Issue 1 2023 with Richard Tice

Published in haiku string organized by the Australian Haiku Society

Published in Earth Rise Rolling Haiku organized by The Haiku Foundation

Accepted for publication in Echidna Tracks Issue 11: Elements- Australian Haiku

Accepted for publication in Raining Rengay Journal issue 2, 2023 with Michael Dylan Welch and Gillena Cox
Accepted for publication in Presence, Issue 76, 2023 with Richard Tice

Professor in Language Studies

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