Global Vision International 2011 Report Series No.

002

GVI Laos
Teaching English to Buddhist Monks and in other local community settings in Luang Prabang, Laos - PGM 120 Teaching English to Children - PGM 287

Quarterly Report 112 April - June 2011

GVI Laos, Luang Prabang Programme Report 112 Produced by Tricia Feeney - Manager And From PGM120
Sam Kurikawa Greg Wright Greg Brady Fausto Silvia Marzi Marchesi Marc Giglioli Brooke Thompson Matthew Henry Greg Brady Judith Weber Line Eidsvag Aslak Talleraas Mathieu Ponte Patricia Wilson Jie Zhou Lisa Pollack Christina Reuter Alexandra Da Roza Edward Khoo Richard Midgett Paul Clastre Helia Forouzin Daniel Balmbra Adam White Sarah Sturrock Sabrina Roessel Melle Hatzissavas Field Staff Field Staff Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer

And From PGM287

Sam Kurikawa Greg Wright Jenae Franklin Nicole Franklin Yana Makodeeva Sushil Pal Field Staff Field Staff Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer

GVI Laos Email: laos@gviworld.com Web page: http://www.gvi.co.uk and http://www.gviusa.com

Executive Summary PGM 120 Teaching English to Buddhist Monks and in other local community settings in Luang Prabang, Laos. The second quarter phase, April - June 2011 of the GVI Laos Expedition has now been completed. The project has maintained working relationships with local schools/centres by providing volunteers to teach English either with or without a Lao teaching partner for Monks, Novices, post-secondary students, government workers, secondary students, teachers, adults and children. The project has continued to work towards goals of sustainable development whilst working with local partners.

During this quarter, several schools were on holidays for either the whole or part of the quarter. These schools were - the Buddhist Monk School, the primary school for Novices at Wat Manorom, and the Vocational/Technical School. The Lao New Year occurred in mid April and due to the closures of schools, no new volunteers joined for a 2 week period.

The following teaching took place during Phase 112: 1 term of teaching English to post secondary students studying a 3 year Diploma of English course at Xayadeth College 5 days/wk. 1 term of assisting Lao teachers with the teaching of English to Government workers. 1 term of partnering Lao teachers at Sikeud School where classes range from children to young adults 5 days/wk 3 months of teaching Novices at a local temple 5 eveningswk. Commencement in April teaching with Lao teachers at Vocational/Technical School 4 days/wk. 2 months of teaching English to primary level Novices at Wat Manorom. 1 term of assisting Lao teachers at Pasathipathai School for students aged 7-15. 1 month of teaching to secondary students over Summer School holidays at Xayadeth College.

GVI Luang Prabang, Laos. April - June 2011

Executive Summary PGM 287 Teaching Children The commencement of the Teaching Children project occurred this quarter with the first volunteers on this project starting 3rd June. During this quarter 4 volunteers participated in this project. The following teaching took place on PGM287 during Phase 112: 1 term of partnering with Lao teachers at Sikeud for childrens classes 5 days/wk. 2 months of teaching English to primary level Novices at Wat Manorom. 1 term of assisting Lao teachers at Pasathipathai School for children aged 7- 12.. 1 month of teaching to primary aged children over the summer school holidays at Xayadeth College.

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Table of Contents
Executive Summary ........................................................................................................ i - ii Table of Contents .............................................................................................................. iiii List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... iv 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................. 1 2. Teaching English to Buddhist Novice Monks and in other local community settings. The Buddhist Secondary School 2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 2 2.2 Objectives ..................................................................................................................... 3 The Buddhist Primary School ............................................................................................. 3 2.3 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 3 2.4 Objectives ..................................................................................................................... 3 2.5 Activities and Acheivements ........................................................................................ 3 2.6 Review...4 Teaching English in other local community settings. ........................................................... 2.7 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 4 2.8 Objectives ..................................................................................................................... 4 2.9 Activities and Acheivements ........................................................................................ 5 2.10 Review.....6 3. Teaching English to Children ........................................................................................... 3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 7 3.2 Objectives ..................................................................................................................... 7 3.3 Activities and Acheivements ........................................................................................ 8 3.4 Review .......................................................................................................................... 8 4. Final Words......................................................................................................................9

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List of Tables
Table 1 Names of teaching sites for GVI volunteers and lengths of time working at teaching sites.

Table 2 Total hours across the 112 quarter teaching in local community settings.

Table 3 Teaching sites for Childrens Classes

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1. Introduction
GVI began the Teaching English to Buddhist Monks and in other local community settings Project under the current management in April 2009 in Luang Prabang Laos. The original sites were the secondary school for Novices and Monks at Wat Sipphoutabaht and 1 English centre Mekong English Centre (MEC). Since 2009 we have increased our participation to working in 9 different schools/centres/programs.

Schools/Centres/Colleges currently participating in GVI Laos Project. The Buddhist Secondary School Wat

Length of Time at each site since June 2009 2 years

Sipphoutabaht The Primary Novice Monk School Wat Mano Evening classes at local temple - Wat Pasa Viet Xayadeth College 3 year Diploma Program Mekong English Centre (MEC) Sikeud School Vocational and Technical School Pasathipathai School Summer School at Xayadeth College
time working at teaching sites.

1.8 years 9 months

1.8 years 2.3 years 1.8 years 4 months 2 months 1 month

Table1 Names of teaching sites for GVI volunteers and lengths of

Luang Prabang is a picturesque large town in the North of Laos. It has been UNESCO protected for 15 years and much of the integrity of the religious and cultural importance of the area has been maintained. Luang Prabang is going through rapid development and expansion. The Tourism Industry continues to be very important financially to the town and region but there is also a noticeable growth in many other sectors technology, construction, agriculture, local business.

By providing quality English lessons that support local teachers and students of English, GVI volunteers provide the local community with skills that they can utilize to take control of their own development.

GVI Laos April June 2011

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To date the project has facilitated 200 volunteers to work with our partners since June 2009. This quarter April June 2011 has facilitated 24 volunteers on PGM120 and 4 volunteers on the Teaching Children Project PGM287 which commenced this quarter.

2. PGM120 Teaching English to Buddhist Novice Monks and in other local community settings. The Buddhist Secondary School.
2.1 Introduction GVI began teaching English classes at the Buddhist Secondary School for Novices and Monks in July 2009. Since the commencement of working there, 2 full academic years have been completed. The student population has continued to grow and was at 900 in the academic year 2010-2011. The class sizes are large with sometimes up to 50 students or more in a class.

The Buddhist Secondary School is the main school in the north of Laos for Novices and Monks to receive their secondary education. Many of the students come from the other Northern Provinces of Laos and have joined the temple in order to receive a full secondary education which they would be unlikely to achieve if they had stayed in their local villages. They are predominantly from disadvantaged farming families. The students ages range from 12 21 years. There are 7 years of Secondary Schooling The GVI volunteers partner with the Lao English Teaching Staff to teach English across all 7 levels. As there are only 2 Lao Teachers of English to teach over 900 students, they are stretched beyond capacity to meet the teaching demands and value the contribution of the volunteers.

The academic year commences in July and ends in March. There are 3 months holidays from April June. Over this 112 quarter the Buddhist Secondary School was on holidays.

GVI Laos April June 2011

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2.2 Objectives There were no objectives set for this quarter due to the holiday period.

The Buddhist Primary School. 2.3 Introduction

GVI began teaching English classes at the Buddhist Primary School for Novices in September 2009. Since the commencement of working there, 2 full academic years have been completed. The school has 2 classes years 4 and 5 the last 2 years of primary education with a total number of 27 students. GVI staff and volunteers teach 3 hours/wk over 2 mornings at the primary school.

There is no set curriculum to follow, so GVI staff and volunteers design and implement a curriculum as the terms progress. Eventually, we will have our own program to follow built up over our teaching time. 2.4 Objectives The objectives of GVI volunteers teaching English at the Buddhist Primary School are:

1) To provide quality English language lessons for the Primary School Novices which is line with the provision of English in Government schools. 2) To provide quality English language lessons for the Primary School Novices using technology as an aid to learning. 3) To design a primary level curriculum based on sequential, meaningful learning. This is being worked on as we go along with our teaching. 2.5 Activities and Achievements Consistent, sequential teaching of English occurred for 2 months April and May, over the 112 quarter but not over June as the school was on holidays. The curriculum is being designed along the way and GVI is building up its resources in materials and text books to support teaching and learning. There is a computer station of 8 computers set up in the Primary School for Novices, a joint project between GVI and Mylibrary a local library in Luang Prabang.The Novices learn English through the aid of technology during the English lessons, 3 hrs/wk.

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2.6 Review The objectives stated for the 112 phase were met. There is a respectful, professional relationship with Mylibrary which supports the work being done by GVI staff and volunteers at the Buddhist Primary Novice School. There is a welcoming and acceptance of GVI staff and volunteers by the Lao teaching staff of the school. The students are learning to speak, read and write basic English before they commence Secondary School. They are learning early computer skills and programs.

Teaching English in other local community settings.

2.7 Introduction This was the eighth phase since the commencement of the project for volunteers teaching English in other local community settings in Luang Prabang. GVI has been able to provide GVI staff and volunteers as assistants and/or teachers to 9 different sites over this 112 quarter. Providing English speaking volunteers in these Engish centres, these volunteers can be of assistance to both teachers and students. Volunteers can assist Lao English teachers with teaching the classes, offering correct pronunciation and grammar to serve as a model for the students. Both teachers and students have the opportunity to gain

knowledge and confidence in speaking and understanding the English language. 2.8 Objectives The objectives of GVIs Teaching English in other local community settings are: 1) To provide support to Lao Teachers in most of the classes and across all the centres that GVI is working with. 2) To work in partnership with Lao teachers in providing quality English language lessons to the students which provide them with knowledge and skills to support their personal and professional development opportunities either later in life or at the present time. 3) Provide local Lao English teachers with professional development opportunities to gain added English skills and pick up new teaching techniques and activities by working with volunteer native speaking English teachers.
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4) To provide training and support to the volunteers to deliver effective lessons and /or teacher aide support. 2.9 Activities and Achievements This was the eighth phase for the volunteer teaching program in local community settings. GVI has been able to provide teachers for 9 different English centres.

Through this phase alone volunteers provided 222 hours of teaching support per week for students in the Luang Prabang community.

English Centre

Hours Taught/112 quarter

520 340 150 115 230

Average weekly hours over a 10 weekly term.

52 34 15 11.5 23 7

Sikeud School Xayadeth College Wat Pasa Viet Pasathipathai School Mekong English Centre Vocational/Technical School Wat Mano Primary School Na Luang
Total hrs/wk

70 120 80 12 8

1505

162.5

Table 2. Total hours across the 112 quarter teaching in local community settings.

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2.10 Review The first objective set for the 112 phase was met even though there were periods during this quarter when volunteer numbers were low (due to Lao New Year and closure of schools) as GVI still provided volunteers for all the 8 local community sites to cover as many classes as possible. The second objective will be an on-going objective being measured in small achievements. Our current approach is to ask the teachers for advanced notice in the upcoming lessons. The third objctive is being met with the inclusion of Lao teachers in the Introductory TEFL training sessions being conducted by a GVI staff member in the first week of a volunteers placement. Our Lao teaching partners are invited to attend when ever they can. This will be an on-going objective measured in small achievements. The fourth objective is being met through the Introductory TEFL training sessions being conducted by a GVI staff member in the first week of a volunteers placement. New volunteers receive 4 hrs of training sessions in their first week plus 5 hours/wk of lesson planning support and 1 hour of optional further TEFL training. The volunteers are encouraged during their lesson planning time to design student focussed activities to maximise learning.
Volunteer Training Introductory TEFL Training Demonstration Lesson Lesson Planning Training Session Lesson Planning Support (1-2 GVI staff available to help volunteers with lesson planning). Weekly hours 1.5 hrs 1.5 hrs 1 hr 5 hrs

Training provided by GVI staff to new volunteers in the 1 week.

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3. PGM287 Teaching Children

3.1 Introduction The commencement of this project occurred in June so there has only been one months duration during this 112 phase. GVI has been able to provide GVI staff and volunteers as assistants and/or teachers to 6 different sites over this month. Providing English lessons to primary aged children allows them to get a headstart with English skills. Learning English in Lao government primary schools is still quite new to the school curriculum.

The volunteers are of assistance to both teachers and students. Volunteers can assist Lao English teachers with teaching the classes, offering correct pronunciation and grammar to serve as a model for the students. Both teachers and students have the opportunity to gain knowledge and confidence in speaking and understanding the English language. 3.2 Objectives The objectives of GVIs Teaching English to Children are: 1. To work in partnership with Lao teachers in providing quality English language lessons to primary aged students which provides them with a headstart in the learning of English. 2. Provide local Lao English teachers with professional development opportunities to gain added English skills and pick up new teaching techniques and activities by working with volunteer native speaking English teachers. 3. To provide training and support to the volunteers to deliver effective lessons and /or teacher aide support.

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3.3 Activities and Achievements Four volunteers participated in the first month of this project. These volunteers have worked at 6 different sites.
Teaching Sites for Childrens Classes

Sikeud School Xayadeth Summer School Wat Pasa Viet Pasathipathai School Wat Mano Primary School Na Luang Primary School
Table 3. Teaching sites for Childrens Classes

3.4 Review The first objective set for the 112 phase was met The second objctive is being met with the inclusion of Lao teachers in the Introductory TEFL training sessions being conducted by a GVI staff member in the first week of a volunteers placement. Our Lao teaching partners are invited to attend when ever they can. This will be an on-going objective measured in small achievements. The third objective is being met through the Introductory TEFL training sessions being conducted by a GVI staff member in the first week of a volunteers placement. New volunteers receive 4 hrs of training sessions in their first week plus 5 hours/wk of lesson planning support and 1 hour of optional further TEFL training. The volunteers are encouraged during their lesson planning time to design student focussed activities to maximise learning.

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4. Final Words
The second phase of 2011 saw 28 volunteers contribute to the aims and objectives of the Laos projects and the commencement of a second project teaching English to children. Overall, this phase was successful in meeting its objectives through the overall enthusiasm and dedication to the work by the volunteers and GVI staff and the acceptance and support by the schools to for the benefit of their students.

Thank you to everyone that made this phase a success. GVI Laos looks forward to another successful phase for 2011.

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