Interview Transcript Excerpt

Interviewer: Good afternoon. To start off the interview, could you introduce yourself?

Participant: Good afternoon. I'm Sandhya Divyanga Randhari, a second-year undergraduate

at the University of Kelaniya, from the Department of Commerce and Financial Management
Studies.

Interviewer: Great, thank you. To begin with the questions, can you describe the type of
school you attended and the main language you used there?

Participant: I attended a government school and studied all subjects in Sinhala medium,
except for English.

Interviewer: How comfortable were you when transitioning to university-level education in

English?

Participant: Actually, it was quite a challenge for me because I studied in Sinhala medium.
When I came to university, the lectures were conducted in English, so I faced some
difficulties adjusting.

Interviewer: Did your background in a particular language influence your learning

experience at university?

Participant: Yes, definitely. Since I studied mainly in Sinhala, I often had to translate things
in my mind before I could understand or respond—especially during the first semester. It
took extra time and effort to keep up.

Interviewer: I see. Have you ever struggled to understand lessons or reading materials
because of the language used? Can you give an example?

Participant: Yes, of course. I struggled a lot sometimes. For example, I had studied subjects
like Accounting and Economics in Sinhala during school, but now I’m learning the same
subjects in English at university. The technical terms were hard to understand at first.

Interviewer: How confident are you when expressing your ideas in English during
presentations or discussions?

Participant: Actually, I do have confidence when I speak in English in front of others, but
sometimes I still feel nervous—especially when I’m unsure of how to express something
correctly.

Interviewer: That’s understandable. Do you feel that language affects your performance in
written exams or assignments?

Participant: Yes, it does. Sometimes I know the answers in Sinhala, but I can’t clearly
explain them in English, which affects my marks.
Interviewer: Do you find it easy to connect with students who speak a different first
language? Why or why not?

Participant: I think it depends. If they are open and friendly, then yes, it’s easy. But
sometimes I hesitate to start a conversation because I feel unsure about my English.

Interviewer: Can you briefly describe a situation where language made group work or
teamwork difficult?

Participant: Yes. During a group assignment, some members only wanted to speak in
Sinhala, and it was hard for others from Tamil or English medium backgrounds to follow
what was going on.

Interviewer: How do you usually manage if you’re in a group where the language of
communication is unfamiliar to you?

Participant: I usually ask for clarification and suggest using simple English so that everyone
can understand. Sometimes I also use Google Translate or ask a friend to explain things to
me.

Interviewer: That’s a smart approach. What have you done personally to improve your
English or communication skills at university?

Participant: I know that English is a very important language, so I try to develop it. I watch
English videos, read articles and newspapers, and try to speak with my friends in English
during my free time.

Interviewer: That’s great! Have you attended any workshops or used any tools like APSO
speaking clubs to deal with language barriers?

Participant: I haven’t joined many clubs yet, but recently I tried attending the GrAvEL club
and similar activities.

Interviewer: Good to hear. What changes do you think the university or lecturers can make
to help students from different language backgrounds?

Participant: In my opinion, lecturers can explain key points using simpler language and
encourage mixed-language group activities. The university could also offer more English-
speaking workshops and support clubs. I know we have English periods and clubs like
GrAvEL, which help us improve.

Interviewer: Thank you, Sandhya, for your time and your thoughtful answers.

Participant: Thank you for interviewing me.

Possible Themes

1. Transitioning Through Language Barriers

This theme captures the personal challenges experienced when moving from a Sinhala-
medium background to an English-medium university environment. It highlights the
emotional and academic hurdles students face when adapting to a new language of
instruction.

2. Effort-Driven Language Adaptation

This theme explores how belonging and improvement in language skills require individual
effort. It emphasizes the active steps taken by the participant—like watching English videos
and using translation tools—to bridge the language gap.

3. Confidence and Communication Challenges

This theme focuses on how language ability affects participation in academic discussions and
presentations. It reflects the internal tension between having knowledge and struggling to
express it due to limited confidence in English communication.

4. Peer Interaction and Language Boundaries

This theme examines how language differences influence group dynamics and social
connections. It reveals both the difficulties in initiating conversations and the impact of
language preferences within diverse student groups.

5. Institutional Role in Supporting Language Inclusion

This theme considers the participant’s view that universities and lecturers have a crucial role
in easing the language transition. It highlights suggestions like simplifying explanations,
conducting workshops, and promoting inclusive clubs to support students from various
linguistic backgrounds.
Possible Codes

1. Cultural Differences/Barriers

 “Actually it was a challenge for me because I learnt in Singhala medium...”

 “Sometimes I had to translate things in my mind...”
 “I faced more struggle to understand lessons...”
 “Sometimes I know answers in Singhala, but I can't explain it clearly in English.”

2. Overcoming Barriers

 “I try to ask for clarification and suggest using simple English...”

 “Sometimes I use Google Translate or ask a friend to explain.”
 “Recently, I watch English videos, read articles, newspapers and in my free time, I
speak to my friends...”
 “I tried to attend recently like gravel club also…”

3. Belonging as Effort

 “It took extra time and I had to provide more effort to keep it up.”
 “Actually I know English is very an important language, so we have to develop it.”

4. Belonging as Acceptance

 “If they are open and friendly, then yes, it is easy to contact...”
 “But sometimes if I feel unsure about my English, I hesitate to speak up or start a
conversation.”

5. Identity Shaped by Community (implicitly suggested)

 “I have more confidence when I have to speak in English in front of others...”

 “It also helps us develop our English language.” (referring to clubs and speaking
opportunities)