ELTC of University of Jaffna has a long history as it was a part of Jaffna Campus of the University of Sri Lanka when it was declared open on the 6th of October 1974. In the year 1986, all the universities set up ELTUs in order to guide the undergraduates to learn and refer English books. Reading for references was the order of the day. Later, students were to concentrate on all the four skills as the generations of student-community faced more challenges in learning English as the English medium education has lost its popularity due to the political climate which favoured national sentiments.
At present, the utmost concentration is on the teaching of ESL courses in order to enhance the standard of English of the undergraduates. In the first year, all the students learn English for General Purposes (EGP) and in the second year, students are taught English for Specific Purposes (ESP) or English for Academic Purposes (EAP).
In the early nineties, Dr. Suresh Canagarajah (presently Edwin Erle Sparks Professor, Director, Migration Studies Project, Pennsylvania State University,USA) introduced two Diploma Courses; namely the Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching English as a Second Language (PGD in TESL) and the Diploma in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL). ELTC also has been conducting courses like Diploma in English Language Teaching for teachers and other short courses for teachers and officers on invitation.
At present, the ELTC provides ESL teaching with 19 academic staff to more than 5000 students of the University of Jaffna. Parallel to ESL courses, ELTC provides ELT courses (Three year degree) to produce English Language Teachers who are presently the students of the Faculty of Arts. ELTC has also proposed to commence a B.A. (Special Degree) programs in ELT in order to meet the demands of the country.
Since the UGC, Sri Lanka made a policy decision to make all the ELTUs as Academic Departments, ELTC of the University of Jaffna has also submitted a proposal for upgrading. Official procedures of this upgrade have been finalized by the UGC and the Ministry of Higher Education and the gazette notification is awaited.
Patron- Prof. R.Vigneswaran, The Vice Chancellor, University of Jaffna.
Chair: Dr. K. Suthakar, Dean, Faculty of Arts, University of Jaffna.
Co-Chairs: Prof. M. Saravanapava Iyer and Dr. (Mrs.) K. Sivaji
Convener: Dr. K.Shriganeshan
Secretary: Mr.K. L. Ramanan
Treasurer: Mrs. M. Bhaheetharan
Action Committee: Person In Charge: Dr. A. Rasakumaran
Members: Dr. S.K.Kannathas
Mrs. S.Rajashanthan
Mr.J.J.D.Patric
Miss. R.Alfred
Mr.M. Sulakshan
Editor: Dr. K.Shanmuganathan
Sub-Editor: Mr. V.Paranthaman
Publicity Committee: Person In Charge: Dr. T.Karunakaran
Members: Mrs. S.Ananthakumarasamy
Mrs.T.Kirushanthan
Cyber Advisor: Mr. V. Sasikumar,
Instructor, Office of the Dean/Arts.