The changes in the educational system in Sri Lanka made the Sinhala language the national language, and relegated the subject of English to that of a second language. The teachers themselves were from the first generations to experience the loss of not being able to communicate fluently in English. This situation needed a radical approach, as to who would provide the much needed human resource of competent English teachers. This was the catalyst for Mrs. Jayasekara to attempt to fill the vacuum created by the lack of teaching of the English language and its allied branches in Schools. She needed to reach out not only to the children but also to a generation of adults with meager opportunities to make them employable. It is against this backdrop of inequality in the teaching and learning of English and using it as a tool of effective communication, that it was decided to establish an Academy.
The Varuni Jayasekara Academy of English for Specific Purposes (VJA-ESP) was born out of a genuine desire to seek a solution to the plight of the “educated unemployed” and “under employed” segments in our country. Not only do they lack specific job skills but also the right attitudes and values to fit into the employment sector which calls for self motivated, dynamic people with a sound knowledge of English.
One of our objectives at the Academy is to bridge this gap between the “educated unemployed” and the prospective employer. As companies move into new markets and embark upon programmes of mergers and joint ventures, a key element in increasing the chance of success, is the ability to communicate effectively. Vital to such effective communication is English, the language of international business.
Our training programmes comprise a selection of subjects and topics based on current trends and demands in the Job market and in the business world. Through its language courses, the VJA-ESP equips people with the skills necessary to exploit this vital communicative tool, whether it is for work, academic purposes or just for pleasure.
In a still conservative social context such as is found in Sri Lanka, teaching is one of the professions that women are actively encouraged to adopt. This facilitates economic independence for women as well as providing them with an outlet for social interaction. The Academy encourages constant meetings among teachers, including workshops and seminars, where participants are made aware of how to use the acting space and theatrical expression as a safe medium to explore pressing social and personal issues that they face in their own lives. Thus, the participants are made to realize the curative aspects of engaging in creative work.
With better, faster communication, and a greater need for co-operation and dialogue between the nations of the world, English has emerged as the international language of business, travel and commerce. Through its language courses, the VJA-ESP equips people with the skills necessary to exploit this vital communicative tool, whether it be for work, academic purposes or just for pleasure. The aim of our teachers, is that students should not only achieve their best academically, but also make use of the time they spend with us at the Academy, to interact and use the knowledge gained in the course.
MISSION
- To recruit, train and maintain a panel of lecturers, qualified and experienced in communication and presentation skills and conduct courses in Effective Communication in English and grant certificates of participation.
- To prepare structured courses in a wide variety of Verbal, Written and Electronic Communication; to ensure that these reflect the needs of the participants and to keep the course structures under constant review in response to changing patterns of training and feedback from lecturers and participants.
- To select material within the framework of the course outline which will form part of participant’s repertoire, enabling the smooth progression from the foundation level through intermediate level to the advanced level thereby broadening and developing their skills to the highest level of their ability.
- To foster and encourage a closer bond of friendship and understanding among teachers of English and to conduct regular teacher training programmes, workshops and seminars.
- To conduct specialised English courses for the development of Personal and Professional Communication Skills and to provide the opportunity of conferring with and ascertaining the view of the Academy in matters relating to Verbal, Written and Electronic Communication.
- To bridge the communication gap between the employable population and prospective employers, to align their language requirements and capabilities to suit each other and to suit local and international standards.
COURSE DESIGN
The Academy offers a choice of general and professional courses intended for those seeking to improve their English for personal and professional purposes, attracting learners from all walks of life and the well planned, focused and comprehensive training courses have been designed to provide participants with new insight into the employment sector and thereby provide a solid foundation, which will help them build their self-confidence as they venture into their respective fields of employment.
These courses promote development in grammatical accuracy and vocabulary enrichment, combined with practice in listening and speaking, reading and writing. The aim is to increase one’s confidence and activate existing knowledge, developing the ability to understand, speak, read and write the language, using authentic English in a wide variety of situations. It is also the concern of the VJA-ESP to conduct demand-oriented training according to the specific needs of various organisations.
COURSES OFFERED
- Presentation Skills
- Public Speaking
- Training of Trainers
- Interview Technique
- English for Doctors
- English for Nurses
- English for Lawyers
- English for Accountants
- English for Undergraduates
- English for School Leavers
- English for Housewives
- English for Minor Staff Conversational
- General English for all categories of people
THE TEACHING TEAM
The lecturers have many years of experience and their expertise, enthusiasm and sympathetic approach all combine to sustain the participants’ effort and concentration, making each lesson a productive and stimulating learning experience. The aim of our lecturers, is not only to make the students achieve their best academically, but also to make use of the time they spend with us at the Academy, to interact and use the knowledge gained in the course. The VJA-ESP teachers are trained to focus on the needs and weaknesses of their learners and to plan the structure and content of the lessons accordingly. The participants therefore always receive instructions that are relevant and based on what they actually need to learn.
CERTIFICATION
Participants who complete the relevant courses are awarded a ‘Certificate of Participation’. As the quality of the level of a participant at the end of the course will be a reflection on the course itself, there are standards for the award of the certificate.
PRINCIPAL
Mrs. Varuni Jayasekara
FTCL, LTCL(Sp/Dr), LTCL(Eff/Sp), LTCL(TESOL), ALCM(Sp/Dr), Gold Medal LAM (Solo Acting), FLCM(Bible Reading), Cert G.S.M.D., LGSM(Verse Speaking), ALAM(Recital), FSTSD (UK)
Ms. Varuni Jayasekara has over forty three years of experience as a teacher of Speech and Drama, Public Speaking and allied subjects and is the founder Principal of the VARUNI JAYASEKARA ACADEMY OF SPEECH, DRAMA AND COMMUNICATION and the ACADEMY OF ENGLISH FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES. She is also the Executive Director of the COLOMBO ACADEMY OF LANGUAGE SKILLS AND DRAMATIC ART. In addition she is also involved in the conducting of specialised English courses for the development of Personal and Professional Communication Skills for Government, Professional and Educational bodies.
VICE PRINCIPAL
Dr. Yaveen Jayasekara
FTCL, LLCM –TD (Drama and Communication), LTCL (Sp/Dr), ATCL (Sp/Dr), MSTSD (UK), B.Sc. Hons. (Lond) Computing & Information Systems, CIMA passed finalist, PG.Dip. (Business Mgt.-University of Colombo), Ph.D. (Colombo)
Dr. Yaveen Jayasekara is the Vice Principal of the VARUNI JAYASEKARA ACADEMY OF SPEECH, DRAMA AND COMMUNICATION and the ACADEMY OF ENGLISH FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES. He is a Fellow of the Trinity College of London in Speech and Drama and holds a Licentiate Teacher’s Diploma in Drama and Communication from the London College of Music and Media affiliated to the University of West London. He has also successfully completed the Licentiate and Associate Diplomas in Speech and Drama from the Trinity College of London. He has been a visiting lecturer at the Central Bank of Sri Lanka for the last ten years for the course curriculum on Economics, Econometrics and Mathematical Modeling for Research.
He has a BSc. (Hons) in Computing and Information Systems from the London Metropolitan University and has also completed all examinations of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA –UK). He has obtained a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management from the University of Colombo and has the Investment Advisor Certification from the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka. He has completed Level 1 in the CFA program and has received his PhD in Finance, specializing in capital structures and behavioral finance from the University of Colombo.
He was awarded the Gold Medal for his research paper at the International Conference on Accounting and Finance for the session on ‘Behavioral Finance and Financial Markets’ and became the first Sri Lankan to do so. He counts over fifteen years of specialized experience in Investment Banking, Corporate Finance and Real Estate having worked with transactional teams both locally and internationally. Yaveen currently serves as the Chief Strategy Officer at Acuity – a joint venture of DFCC and HNB.
DIRECTOR STUDIES
Vidya Jyothi Emeritus Prof. Rohan W. Jayasekara
MBBS, PhD [Newcastle] C.Biol, FRSB (Lond.), FCOphth.SL (Hon.), Hon. FCSSL
Professor Rohan W. Jayasekara is a former Dean and Senior Professor who held the Chair in Anatomy from 2000 to 2015. He was also the Founder Director of the Human Genetics Unit which he established in 1983 in the Faculty of Medicine University of Colombo. A pioneer in the field of Medical Genetics in Sri Lanka, he introduced and formally established the field of Human Genetics in Colombo. Prof. Jayasekara continues with his teaching career which he began in 1974 and presently in his 49th year as the Emeritus Professor in the Department of Anatomy Genetics & Biomedical Informatics. He is a Medical Geneticist, a Fellow of the Galton Institute London, a Chartered Biologist, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology London. He is also an Honorary Fellow of the College of Surgeons of Sri Lanka, an Honorary Fellow of the College of Ophthalmologists of Sri Lanka, and a Commonwealth Senior Medical Fellow.
He obtained his PhD in Cytogenetics from the University of Newcastle in the U.K. in 1980 while on a Commonwealth Research Scholarship. In 1989, he was awarded a Commonwealth Senior Medical Fellowship during which he acquired postdoctoral experience at Guys Hospital London, and at the New Addenbrookes Hospital Cambridge in the U.K. Prof. Jayasekara has taught many generations of undergraduates and postgraduates in Medical Genetics. He also introduced Medical Genetics to 4 Faculties of Medicine, 16 postgraduate courses at the Post Graduate Institute of Medicine [PGIM] and 3 Professional Colleges. He has published and presented 226 research articles and is the recipient of the President’s Award for Scientific Publications for six years and the National Research Council [NRC] Merit Award for Scientific Research for three years. In March 2017 he was conferred the Sri Lankan Titular National Honour – Vidya Jyothi by His Excellency the President of Sri Lanka. This was awarded for his outstanding scientific and technological achievements. He has delivered 1 Oration, 48 invited lectures and made 16 keynote speeches as Chief Guest, at Professional Colleges and Educational Institutions.
MS. SHEREENE GUNASEKERA – HEAD OF TRAINING
LTCL (Eff/Com), ALAM (Public Speaking), Gold Award ESL (NEA-UK), LIWMS (TEFSL), MSTSD (UK), Certified Advanced Training Specialist (City& Guilds – U.K.)
Shereene Gunasekera is a Member of the Board of Management of the Colombo Academy of Language Skills and Dramatic Art and a training professional and consultant, dedicated to facilitate people in improving, their soft skills, a must in the corporate world today. She takes pride in her training and believes that people sometimes limit their own progress by building barriers and appreciates assisting them to be successful. She is the Former Head and Consultant – Department of English Language and Communication Skills – CINEC Maritime campus Malambe, Sri Lanka. Choosing to transfer her skills to work in a another rewarding career she moved into corporate training, as a service provider and since then has been working with many high profile organizations, in training their staff on job-specific soft skills. Having shouldered responsibilities from lecturing to corporate training she brings a wealth of corporate experience which reinforces her skills to impact and connect with the audiences. She is a City & Guilds – U.K. Certified Advanced Training Specialist in – Coaching and mentoring in Teaching, Training, Assessment and Management of Training. In addition she is certified as a trainer for the Train The Trainer Programme by the Directorate Civil Aviation Authority Sri Lanka. Her mission is to develop and harness a competent, efficient and productive human resource through Training and Development.
MS. MARINI DE LIVERA – HEAD ADMINSTRATION
LLM, LLB, LTCL, PgDHR, Gold Medal Public Speaking(UK), Attorney-at-Law, MSTSD (UK)
Marini De Livera is a Member of the Board of Management of the Colombo Academy of Language Skills and Dramatic Art and a Senior Attorney at Law, the Founder of Sisters at Law, and former Child Protection Authority (NCPA) Chairperson, is a passionate advocate for the rights of children. On 8th March 2019, Mrs. De Livera, was honored with the U.S. State Department’s prestigious International Women of Courage Award. The IWOC Award recognizes ten women around the globe who have demonstrated exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for peace, justice, human rights, gender equality, and women’s empowerment, often at great personal risk and sacrifice.
As Chairperson of Sisters at Law, she serves as a pro bono lawyer for women and child victims of crime and promotes alternative care for children trapped in orphanages. She was a Lecturer in Public International Law, Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, European Law, Legal Skills and Human Rights at APIIT Law School. She has conducted Drama related activities, Debating and Moot Training for the students. She has been a Teacher for English for Special Purposes for over thirty years. She has taught Communication Skills and Law in the UK and Seychelles. Her play entitled ‘Suba’ depicting the plight of trafficked women and girls was staged September 2011. She has written a book of plays with templates for masks attached to the scripts which will be used to teach English to war-affected children.
MR. JANEK JAYASEKARA – CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS
M.Sc. (University of Birmingham-UK), B.Sc. (University of Colombo), FCMA (UK), CGMA (US), FCPA (Aus), Dip M. (UK), ACIM (UK), ATCL (Sp/Dr), LCALSDA (Presentation Skills & Interview Technique)
Mr. Janek Jayasekara is an accountant by profession and a senior management professional. He is currently serves as a director and Group Chief Operating Officer of the Akbar Brothers Group of Companies. He has over twenty five years of experience having worked in Diversified Corporates and International Banks. He is a specialist in Enterprise Risk Management, People Management, Governance, Planning, Reporting, Project Management and Corporate Strategy. He was former Country Pricing Manager for DHL in Sri Lanka, the Head of Corporate Planning for the Richard Pieris Group of Companies and the Head of Finance for Retail Banking at the Standard Chartered Bank in Colombo. His interests include drama, theatre and sports.
MS. SURANI JAYASEKARA – COURSE CO-ORDINATOR
B. Sc. (Teaching Technology), LCALSDA (TESOL), ATCL (Sp/Dr), Advanced Diploma in Child Psychology (USA), Dip. in Montessori Education (USA), Dip. in Primary Education (Teacher Training College -Maharagama)
Ms. Surani Jayasekara counts eighteen years experience in the teaching of Primary Education International syllabus. She started her teaching career in the year 2000 at the American International School where she worked for four years. She has two years experience as a teacher at the Montessori School of Springfield, Masachussetes. She was a teacher of English at Shakthi and Sipna Institutes and a teacher of Speech and Drama at the VARUNI JAYASEKARA ACADEMY OF SPEECH, DRAMA AND COMMUNICATION. She was also employed in teaching English, History and Geography in the Primary Section of the Gateway International College and was also a Grade Five class teacher at Gateway. She is currently conducting classes in English (Local Syllabus) for students from Grade Six to the Advanced Level.
DR. SURESHIKA PIYASENA
Ph.D. (English-Jawaharlal Nehru University), M. A. (English), B.A (English Hons), LCALSDA (TESOL)
Dr. Sureshika Piyasena has obtained a B.A. English (Hons) from the University of Delhi and a M.A. and PH.D in English from Jawaharlal Nehru University, India. She completed a Diploma in International Relations at BCIS. She has taught English language and literature at the University of Sri Jayawardenapura, City University of Hong Kong, and Hong Kong Polytechnic University. She worked as a Senior Research Associate at City University of Hong Kong. She is also a published poet. Currently she is the Head of Careers and a teacher of English in a leading International School in Colombo.
MS. ALTHEA D’ROSAIRO
MPhil in Linguistics (University of Kelaniya), M. A. (Linguistics), B. A. (English), LCALSDA (TESOL), Bronze and Gold Medal LAM (Public Speaking), AIWMS (Sp & Dr)
Althea D’Rosairo had her Primary and Secondary Education at Good Shepherd Convent, Kotahena and was Head Prefect of the School in 1985/1986. She was engaged in the education of Nursery School children and in the teaching of Speech and Drama from 1984–1991. She was awarded a Bronze and Gold Medal from LAMDA, for Public Speaking in 2003 and 2004 respectively. From 2002-2013 she was on the tutorial staff of Stafford International School covering English Language and Literature. She was also a teacher at Daphne Lord School of Speech and Drama and was appointed Head of Education and Administration from 2014 – 2016. She is presently working as a language teacher for the Intermediate Seminary of the Archdiocese, the Congregations of the Society of Jesus and the Holy Angels’ as well as a trainer in companies.
MS. DULANI GUNAWARDENA
LCALSDA (Sp/Dr), ATCL (Sp/Dr), Trained Teacher (SLTraining College)
Dulani Gunawardena is a teacher of English by profession. In 1981 started teaching as a Montessori teacher in Museaus College. From 1983 till 1988 she worked in Dubai, where she organised cultural pageants and trained Sri Lankan children in Dubai and Sharjah. In 1988 she rejoined the academic staff of Museaus College and served in the Senior school of Musaeus College as an English Medium class teacher and English Literature teacher. In 2003 qualified with Distinction as a Board English trained teacher from the Government Teachers’ College, Maharagama. She was an Adult Trainer at IDM, Sithara and Varuna Enterprises from 2004 – 2006. In 2010 she held the post of Deputy Principal of Alif International School Dharga Town. Since 2012 she is serving Lyceum International School Panadura as the Chief Examiner for English Literature and GCE Advanced Level English Literature . Her outstanding teaching skills produced the Island Best in English Literature at the Advanced Level examination in 2018. She is also the Senior Guide Captain and Zonal Director of Kalutara zone of the Girl Guides Association. Currently she is reading for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in English at the Jayawardanepura University.
MS. ISHITHA MANNAPPERUMA
LL.M (University of Colombo), LL.B (University of London), LTCL (Sp/Dr-TD), ATCL (Sp/Dr-TD), Gold Medal LAM (Verse and Prose), Bronze Medal LAM (Acting), Bronze Medal LAM (Public Speaking), Attorney-at-Law, MSTSD (UK)
Ms. Ishitha Mannapperuma has been a teacher of Speech and Drama, Effective Communication, Spoken English and allied subjects with over fourteen years of experience. She has been a staff member of the Varuni Jayasekara Academy of Speech, Drama and Communication for over thirteen years. She has also worked as a News Anchor for MTV Television Network and as a Newscaster for YES FM. She has completed an Advanced Pre-Vocational English Language Course at the Macquiry University in Sydney Australia.
MS. ZAHIRA MUBARACK
LTCL (Sp/Dr), ATCL (Sp/Dr-TD), LCALSDA (TESOL), Gold Medal LAM (Verse and Prose).
Ms. Zahira Mubarack has over twelve years experience as a teacher of Speech and Drama, Effective Communication, Spoken English and allied subjects. She worked on the Staff of the Varuni Jayasekara Academy of Speech, Drama and Communication from its inception. She was the Speech and Drama teacher at the Minhal International School from 2000 – 2006. She was awarded a Special Certificate of Merit for having completed all Grade examinations (Grades 1 – 8) in Speech and Drama.
MS. ZARIKA MUBARACK
MBA (UK), ACMA, CIMA Advanced Dip (Management Accounting), LLCM – TD (Speech and Drama), ATCL (Sp/Dr)
Ms. Zarika Mubarack has over sixteen years experience as a teacher of Speech and Drama and allied subjects. She is currently attached as an Executive Director at Aahaara Catering (Pvt) Ltd. Apart from this, she does independent Student Mentoring for students following their Masters Study Programs. Prior to this, she was attached to the finance team of Royal Palms Beach Hotels which is a star class hotel and part of the prestigious chain of hotels known as the Tangerine Group of Hotels. Zarika brings in diverse exposure both in the fields of business and in the area of teaching. She counts over fifteen years of experience working in the hospitality and business sector. She is currently pursuing a career in writing. Zarika is a member of Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, UK and American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. In addition to this, Zarika shows a keen interest in academic as well as creative writing. At present she is on the Staff of the Varuni Jayasekara Academy of Speech, Drama and Communicatio and has been on the for the last sixteen years.
MS. SHANIKA PIYASENA
M. A. (Human Resources – University of Colombo), Dip M.(UK), ACIM (UK), FLCM, LTCL (Sp/Dr), ATCL (Sp/Dr-TD), LCALSDA (TESOL), MSTSD (UK)
Ms. Shanika Piyasena has seven years experience as a teacher of Speech and Drama, Effective Communication, Spoken English and allied subjects. She is on the Staff of the Varuni Jayasekara Academy of Speech, Drama and Communication. She was employed as a Human Resources Assistant at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for over ten years. She is the Sri Lanka representative for the New Era Academy of London.
MS. SISHANI SILVA
LVCM-TD (Sp/Dr), ATCL (Sp/Dr-TD), Cert.GSMD (SCAPT), LCALSDA (TESOL), MSTSD (UK), Diploma in Computer Science (Singapore Informatics), Advanced Diploma in Computer Science (Singapore Informatics)
Sishani Silva has over eight years of experience in teaching Spoken English, Effective Communication and Speech and Drama and allied subjects. She was on the staff of the Varuni Jayasekara Academy of Speech, Drama and Communication, and she has also functioned as a teacher of English and Speech and Drama at Burani International School. She worked as a lecturer in software for six years at Singapore Informatics where she was involved in conducting workshops in Business Management Communication.