Kotuwila K. Kaushali Samadhi Nikeshala Assistant Professor

■Researcher basic information

Organization

  • College of Education Training Course for School Teachers Program for Subject Education　／　Major in English Language Education
  • Faculty of Education Domain of Language, Social,& Natural Sciences

Research Areas

  • Humanities & social sciences, English linguistics, English language education, Applied linguistics, Second language acquisition

Research Keyword

  • Task-based language teaching (TBLT), L2 utterance fluency, Japanese EFL contexts, Repeated monologue tasks, Intercultural communicative competence

Educational Background

  • Sep. 2021 - Present, Ibaraki University, The Graduate School of Humanities, Teacher Training Program (MEXT Scholarship)
  • Apr. 2024 - Mar. 2026, University of Tsukuba, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, English Language Education
  • Jan. 2010 - Dec. 2012, National College of Education, Department of English Language Teaching, Diploma in Teaching (English Language)
  • 2011, Bachelor of Arts in English Language, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Bachelor of Arts in English Language
  • Aug. 2007 - Aug. 2007, Ibaraki Daini High School, AFS International Exchange Program

Career

  • Apr. 2026 - Present, Ibaraki University, College of Education, Assistant Professor, Assistant professor
  • Apr. 2024 - Mar. 2026, University of Tsukuba, Subprogram in English Language Education, Teaching Assistant
  • Sep. 2024 - Mar. 2025, University of Tsukuba, Subprogram in English Language Education, Research Assistant
  • Sep. 2021 - Mar. 2023, Ibaraki University, College of Education, Teacher Training Program (MEXT Scholarship)

■Research activity information

Award

  • Apr. 2025, Rotary Yoneyama Memorial Scholarship, Rotary Yoneyama Memorial Foundation
    Kotuwila Kankanamalage Kaushali;Samadhi Nikeshala
  • Sep. 2021, MEXT Teacher Training Scholarship, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan
    Kotuwila Kankanamalage Kaushali;Samadhi Nikeshala
  • Jan. 2021, National Recognition for Televised English Lessons, Ministry of Education, Sri Lanka
    Kotuwila Kankanamalage Kaushali;Samadhi Nikeshala
  • Jan. 2017, Certificate of Achievement for Coordinating Sri Lanka-Romania Student Exchange Program, Visakha Vidyalaya / FNF Sri Lankan Association
    Kotuwila Kankanamalage Kaushali Samadhi Nikeshala
  • Apr. 2007, AFS International Exchange Scholarship, AFS Intercultural Programs
    Kotuwila Kankanamalage Kaushali;Samadhi Nikeshala

Paper

  • Enhancing L2 utterance fluency: A systematic review of task-based activities　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
    Nikeshala; K. K. K. S., Lead
    Journal of Modern Languages and Cultures, Jan. 2026, [Reviewed]

MISC

  • Book review: Foundational Principles of Task-Based Language Teaching, by M. East　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
    Nikeshala; K. K. K. S.
    JLTA Newsletter, Jun. 2024
    Lead

Lectures, oral presentations, etc.

  • Effects of Repeated Monologue Tasks on Japanese EFL Learners' Fluency　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
    Nikeshala; K. K. K. S.
    51st JALT International Conference, 01 Nov. 2025
  • Enhancing Second Language Fluency: A Systematic Look at Task-Based Approaches in Language Learning　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
    Nikeshala; K. K. K. S.
    TEFL-IP 3rd Joint Symposium, 06 Mar. 2025
  • A systematic review of the impact of task-based fluency activities on L2 learners' utterance fluency　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
    Nikeshala; K. K. K. S.
    50th JALT International Conference, 16 Nov. 2024

Courses

  • Speaking, Pronunciation, Cross-Cultural Understanding, English Communication　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
    2026 - Present
    Ibaraki University
  • English Presentation Skills I　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
    Apr. 2024 - Mar. 2026
    University of Tsukuba
  • English Conversation　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
    Apr. 2025 - Dec. 2025
    AEON English Conversation School, Tsukuba
  • EIKEN Exam Preparation　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
    Jun. 2025
    Ibaraki Prefectural Fujishiro Shisui High School
  • English Language and Literature　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
    Feb. 2015 - Aug. 2023
    Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo, Sri Lanka
  • English Language and Literature　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
    Apr. 2013 - Feb. 2015
    President's College, Rajagiriya, Sri Lanka

Affiliated academic society

  • Jan. 2024 - Present, Asian Association for Language Assessment (AALA)
  • Jan. 2024 - Present, Japan Association for Language Teaching (JALT)

Research Themes

  • Synthesizing Evidence and Practice: A Systematic Review and Replication Study of Repeated Monologue Tasks in Japanese EFL Classrooms　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
    English Language Education / Applied Linguistics
    University of Tsukuba
    Apr. 2024 - Jan. 2025

Social Contribution Activities

  • Member, Rotary Club of Ushiku　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
    others
    Rotary International, Apr. 2025 - Mar. 2026
  • Coordination of Official Visit of German Minister of Education Hon. Ria Schröder　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
    planner
    FNF Sri Lankan Association / Visakha Vidyalaya, Jan. 2023
  • Sri Lanka–Romania Student Exchange Program　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
    planner
    Visakha Vidyalaya, Jan. 2017
  • AFS International Exchange Program, Japan　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
    others
    AFS Intercultural Programs, AFS International Exchange Program, Aug. 2007

Media Coverage

  • Virtual English Lessons for Sri Lankan O/L Students　　　　　　　　　　　
    Derana T.V / Ministry of Education, Sri Lanka, Virtual English Lessons for Sri Lankan O/L Students, Jan. 2021, Media report
  • National Educational TV English Lessons for Sri Lankan O/L Students　　　　　　　　　　　
    Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation / Ministry of Education Sri Lanka, National Educational TV Program — English, Jan. 2020, Media report

Academic Contribution Activities

  • Certificate of Completion — University of Prince Edward Island Summer TA/TF Program　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
    Planning etc
    University of Prince Edward Island, Canada, Jul. 2024
  • Guided Students to National English Speech Competition Victory　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
    Planning etc
    Ministry of Education, Sri Lanka, Jan. 2019

Others

  • GFEST English Program Participant
    Jan. 2025 - Dec. 2025