Appreciation of Orani Jansz – live wire of University English teaching programme

Mrs. Oranee Jansz joined the English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura in 1973 as an instructor.  At the time she joined, ELTU was a sub department of the Department of Languages and Cultural Studies of the Faculty of Arts, University of Sri Jayewardenepura. In the long history of the ELTU, many heads contributed to the long-standing development of the ELTU and Mrs. Jansz was one such pioneering head who had a vision to upgrade the services of the ELTU. Especially, she had a keen interest in developing medical English programme and she was personally teaching in the Faculty of Medical Sciences from its very inception.

She was an active trade union activist who contributed wholeheartedly for the rights of the English instructors in the universities island wide. Also, it is because of the long standing battle  she lead with the other trade-unionists at that time many instructors have been upgraded as lecturers to the Departments of English Language Teaching today around the country.

Having rendered a great service to the development of the English language skills of the students of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and English language teaching in general in the country, Mrs. Jansz retied in 2002. When she retired, she was the head of the ELTU, University of Sri Jayewardenepura. She is remembered for her simplicity and love she extended for her students. Leaving behind a legacy of love and service, Mrs. Jansz has passed away in 2020. However, Mrs. Oranee Jansz will be remembered for her selfless service to the development of English language teaching in Sri Lanka.