Learning classroom  instruction with your colleague

(KPL)The Ministry of Education and Sports of Lao PDR (MoES), with support from Australia, has introduced a new teacher development video on techniques to build confidence in teaching English. The video was produced by the E-learning team of the Research Institute of Educational Sciences (RIES).

English is a global language widely used by speakers of different languages to communicate with one another. It is also the universal language for ICT – devices such as computers, mobile phones, software all use English as their default operating language. To be able to engage and participate in the modern world, students need to develop basic speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in English. With a basic understanding of English, students will have more opportunities in their future. For that reason, MoES starts English instruction in primary school as early as grade three.

Filming of new teacher development video

 “English is part of the primary curriculum and should be taught by all teachers. But teaching a foreign language can be intimidating for teachers, particularly if they are not confident with English themselves. The aim of this new Teacher Development Video is to provide primary teachers with guidance and real examples on how they can improve their English and build their confidence for teaching English,” said Ajan Khamchan Lattayord, Deputy Director General of RIES.

Teacher confidently teaching English phonics   

The video was filmed in a real classroom in Luang Namtha province. It describes seven different strategies which teachers can apply to build confidence in teaching English. Each strategy is illustrated by live action with teachers, trainers and students who volunteered to act in the video. The techniques demonstrated are simple and will help teachers gain confidence very quickly: learning classroom instructions, regular practice with a fellow teacher, how to prepare the lesson, how to use an online dictionary, and how to get quick support from trainers.

The video is released on ESTV – Education and Sports TV channel on Lao Satellite 8, on Khang Panya Lao and on the ວິດີໂອສໍາລັບການພັດທະນາຄູ Teacher Development Videos YouTube channel.

To further support the primary teachers, the new English curriculum for grades three to five developed by RIES with support from Australia has been designed in a way to make teaching and learning English easier for teachers and students. The topics and language that are covered in the lessons are relevant to students’ daily lives. For example, talking about family, food and hobbies. The English curriculum also includes audio tracks which are provided to teachers on both a USB device and also uploaded onto the Teacher Development YouTube channel. Teachers can use the audio tracks to improve their own English and also in class with students.

The production and filming team with the actors

With more than 3 million views, the ວິດີໂອສໍາລັບການພັດທະນາຄູ Teacher Development Videos YouTube channel launched in 2019 by the Ministry of Education and Sports with the support of Australia, through the BEQUAL program, is a great success. It contains training videos and audio materials for primary teachers, teacher trainers, and pedagogical advisor staff. The videos cover a range of subjects related to the new curriculum and the new active learning pedagogical approach. Teachers use them to prepare lessons, improve their teaching method, and learn or review a specific technique. They also play the audio tracks containing music, songs, and English stories to students in the classroom.

Link to watch the VDO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0hopPiXLWY

KPL