Dr. (Ms.) K. V. Dhanapala

CURRENT POSITIONS

• Head, Department of Languages, Sri Palee Campus, University of Colombo
• Visiting Lecturer, MA in English Studies, Dept. of English, University of Colombo
• English Activity Coordinator, HETC/IDAS Project, University of Colombo

PREVIOUS PROFESSIONAL POSITIONS

• Post-doctoral Research Fellow (JSPS), Hiroshima University, Japan – April 2011 to May, 2013
• Language Consultant, INTERAC, Japan – 2009 – 2011
• Coordinator, Vibhasha Translation Program, CPA, Colombo – 2001-2003
• Graduate Teaching Assistant, Hiroshima University – 2004- 2007
• Visiting Lecturer in English, Sri Palee Campus, University of Colombo – 2001
• Temporary Asst. Lecturer in English, Sri Palee Campus, University of Colombo – 1999-2000
• Visiting Instructor of English, Dept. of English, University of Colombo – 2002
• Instructor of English for Careers’ English Course, University of Colombo – 2002
• Specialist Trained English Teacher, Department of Education, Ministry of Education. 1985 – 1998

AWARDS

• The Best Extended Abstract Award of Humanities offered by IRCHSS, 2014, University of Sri Jayawardhanapura, Sri Lanka
• A Solidarity Award offered by the International Association of Applied Linguistics to attend and present a paper in AILA World Congress held in Brisbane, Australia from 10th to 15th August, 2014.
• A two-year post-doctoral research fellowship offered by Japan Science Foundation for Promotion of Sciences under the JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship Program for worldwide researchers – April 2011 to April 2013
• A travel grant by the ASIA TEFL Foundation to present a research paper in the Asia TEFL International Conference 2008 held in Bali, Indonesia
• A Yahata Scholarship from Yahata Foundation, Japan. 2008 – 2009
• A Kumahira Scholarship from Kumahira Foundation, Japan. 2005 – 2007

RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS

Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

• Dhanapala, K.V. and Yamada, J. (2015). A study on reading comprehension and its component skills among EFL learners in different proficiency levels. Reading Matrix 15 (1), 25-40.
• Dhanapala, K.V. and Hirakawa, Y. (2015). L2 reading motivation among Sri Lankan university students. Reading Psychology 36, 1-28.
• Dhanapala, K.V. and Yamada, J. (2014). Oral reading rate, reading comprehension, and listening comprehension in learners of EFL. Asian EFL Journal 16(1), 332-357.
• Dhanapala, K.V. (2010) Sri Lankan university students’ metacognitive awareness of L2 reading strategies. Journal of International Development and Cooperation, 16, 65-81.
• Dhanapala, K.V. (2008). Motivation and L2 reading behaviors of university students in Japan and Sri Lanka. Journal of International Development and Cooperation, 14, 1-11.
• Dhanapala, K.V. (2007). Focus on language learning strategies of advanced learners in Japan and Sri Lanka, Journal of International Development and Cooperation, 13, 153-164.
• Dhanapala, K.V. (2006). University EFL and ESL learners’ strategy use: A study in Sri Lankan and Japanese contexts, JACET Chukoku-Shikoku Chapter Research Bulletin (CSCRB), 13, 53-70.

Conference Proceedings

• Dhanapala, K.V. (2007). Intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation and L2 reading comprehension of university learners in Japan and Sri Lanka, JACET Summer Seminar Proceedings, No. 6, Issues in L2 Reading Instruction, The 34th JACET Summer Seminar 2006, pp. 39-43.

Other Publications

• Dhanapala, K.V. (2002). Steps involved in the translation process. (A trilingual article) Vibhasha, 1(3), 10-15.

PRESENTATIONS IN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES

• “The contribution of morphological awareness to L2 vocabulary knowledge and text comprehension.” A paper presented with Kumara H.R.C. in International Research Conference on Humanities and Social Sciences (ICH 2015), University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. May 21-22, 2015.
• “Reading motivation among tertiary level L2 learners.” A paper presented in International Research Conference on Humanities and Social Sciences (IRCHSS) – 2014, University of Sri Jayawardhanapura, Sri Lanka. October 15-17, 2014.
• “How different factors contribute to L2 text comprehension.” A paper presented in the 08th International SLELTA Conference, Colombo, Sri Lanka, October, 03-05, 2014.
• “What factors contribute to L2 text comprehension?” A paper presented in the 17th World Congress of the International Association of Applied Linguistics (AILA). August, 10 – 15, 2014, Brisbane, Australia
• “Components that contribute to L2 text comprehension among Cambodian college students.” A paper presented with Monh, S, and Hirakawa, Y. in the 9th Annual CamTESOL Conference, Phnom Phen, Cambodia. February 23 – 24, 2013.
• “Cultural differences and similarities of reading motivation among L2 learners.” A paper presented with Hirakawa, Y. in the Fifth CLS International Conference, Singapore, December 5-7, 2012.
• “Componential analysis of L2 reading skills among Sri Lankan university students.” A paper presented with Hirakawa, Y. in the Fourth Annual Conference in Education, Osaka, Japan. October 24- 28, 2012.
• “Improving reading skills among EFL learners in Japan.” A paper presented with Nishida, T., and Hirakawa, Y. in the Asia TEFL International Conference, Delhi, India. October 4-6, 2012.
• “Contribution of different components to L2 text comprehension among EFL learners.” A paper presented in the 39th JACET Summer Seminar, Kusatsu, Gunma, Japan. August 18-21, 2012.
• “Analysis of senior high school English textbooks on intercultural communication leading to peace education.” A paper presented in the Asia TEFL International Conference, Seoul, Korea, July 27-29, 2011.
• “How motivational practices enhance EFL students’ L2 reading!” A paper presented in the First Extensive Reading World Congress. Kyoto, Japan. September 3-6, 2011.
• “How effective is multiple strategy instruction in EFL context?” A paper presented in the British Association of Applied Linguistics (BAAL) Annual Conference 2008, Swansea, UK. September 11-13, 2008.
• “Effects of L2 reading strategy instruction and motivation to read in L2.” A paper presented with Nishida, T. in the Asia TEFL International Conference, Bali, Indonesia. August 1-3, 2008.
• “Reading strategy instruction for Japanese university students.” A paper presented in the JACET, Chukoku-Shikoku, Hiroshima International Centre, Hiroshima. July 12, 2008.
• “Effects of reading strategy instruction for EFL learners.” A paper presented in the Graduate Symposium, University of Maryland, College Park, USA. April 28, 2008.
• “How effective is multi-component L2 reading strategy instruction?” a paper presented in the TESOL Annual Convention, New York, USA. April 1-4, 2008.
• “Exploring Sri Lankan university learners’ motivation and L2 reading comprehension.” A paper presented with Nishida, T. in the Asia TEFL International Conference, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. June 8-10, 2007.
• “Investigating Japanese learners’ metacognitive knowledge in foreign language reading comprehension.” A paper presented in the Asia TEFL International Conference, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. June 8-10, 2007.
• “Intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, and L2 reading comprehension of university students in Japan and Sri Lanka.” A paper presented in the JACET Summer Seminar, Gunma, Japan. August 24-27, 2006.
• “A closer look at language learning strategies: Strategy profiles of Japanese university students.” A paper presented in the Asia TEFL International Conference, Fukouka, Japan. August 18-20, 2006.
• “Investigating proficiency levels, gender, and language learning strategies of Japanese university students.” A paper presented in the JACET, Chukoku-Shikoku. Okayama University. June 10, 2006.
• “A cross-cultural study on English language learning strategies in Japan and Sri Lanka.” A paper presented in the JACET Chugoku-Shikoku, Hiroshima City University, Hiroshima. July 10, 2005.

INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOPS

• “What kind of instructional applications are the best for improving tertiary level students’ L2 reading skills?” A workshop conducted in the Asia TEFL International Conference, Delhi, India. October 4-6, 2012.
• “Theorizing and implementing NNEST advocacy.” A workshop conducted with Motha, S., Jain, R., Kateregga, F., Selvi, A.F., & Suh, H.S. in the TESOL Annual Convention 2009, Denver, Colorado, USA. March 26-28, 2009.
• “NNEST advocacy.” A workshop conducted with Motha, S., Jain, R., Kateregga, F., Selvi, A.F., & Suh, H.S., & Tang, S. in the TESOL Annual Convention 2008, New York, USA. April 1-3. 2008.

INVITED WORKSHOPS

• “What kind of instructional applications are the best for improving Sri Lankan university students’ L2 reading skills?” A workshop conducted for ELT lecturers in Rajarata University, Sri Lanka. Feb. 29, 2012.
•  2. “Best instructional applications for improving Cambodian university students’ L2 reading skills” A workshop conducted for lecturers in the ELSU at Royal Phnom Phen University, Cambodia. Dec. 11, 2011.

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

• “Advanced EFL and ESP Reading.” conducted by Prof. William Grabe and Dr. Fredricka Stoller. The 39th JACET Summer Seminar, Kusatsu, Gunma, Japan. August 18th to 21st, 2012.
• “Issues in L2 Reading Instruction” conducted by Prof. William Grabe and Dr. Fredricka Stoller. The 34th JACET Summer Seminar, Kusatsu, Gunma, Japan. August 24-27, 2006.
• “Successful Translation” – A five-week intensive course in Translation Studies conducted by four visiting professors from University of Quebec, Canada. Organized by the Translation Committee of the University of Peradeniya three Year Specialist English Teacher Training Program – Peradeniya Specialist English Teachers’ College.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATION

• A member of the Sri Lankan English Teachers’ Association
• A member of The Japan Association of College English Teachers
• A member of Asia TEFL Association
• A member of TESOL Association
• A member of the JSPS Alumni Association, Japan

SPECIALIZED AREAS AND RESEARCH INTERESTS

• Second language acquisition
• Applied linguistics
• Reading processes and motivation
• Language testing and assessment
• Research methodology for social sciences

CONTACT

• Phone: (+94)774668795
• Email : kvasandha@gmail.com, kvdhanapala@spc.cmb.ac.lk