Abstract:
Resident English camps have acquired wide spread popularity at present owing to their controversial challenge
that they are capable of originating an orally competent individual within their short course period of a one month
or two months. Thus, the study was focused on discovering whether the Resident English Camps are truly able to
achieve their pledged apex. In this respect, the study of the methods and approaches used in the language learning
and teaching process became the fundamental objective. In accumulating data for the study, 30 students and 4
instructors from three leading Resident English Camps located in three geographical areas, Kandy, Nittambuwa
and Kurunegala were used. The primary data collection sources such as Interview method, Questionnaire method
and Observation method and the secondary data collection sources including books, journals, internet, abstracts,
and magazines were effectively utilized so as to accumulate data for the study.
Through the data analysis, the researcher could discover that the Resident English Camps provide a greater
contribution in enhancing the oral competence of its participants with the use of numerous, innovative task-based
activities especially designed to increase oral production. Furthermore, they attempt to inculcate the knowledge
of grammar to develop the accuracy of the discourse. The grammar inculcation followed by the constant and
intensive oral practice that they receive at the camps has contributed to make them use the language confidently
for communicative purposes
