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Australia and the Ministry of Education and Sports of Lao PDR produce new inclusive education resources for students who are newly learning Lao language when they start school.
Experts from IMC Radio and the Center for Lao Language Research trained student volunteers to record the audio stories.
(KPL) Recognising the unique challenges faced by children who do not speak Lao at home, the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES), with support from the Australian Government through the Basic Education Quality and Access in Lao PDR (BEQUAL) program, has developed 49 new audio stories to support the teaching and learning of Spoken Lao in Grade 1 classrooms nationwide. The audio tracks will soon also be available as animated videos, ensuring broad access across audio and visual platforms, including YouTube.
This initiative, part of the nationwide Spoken Lao approach launched in September 2024, helps grade one students with a home language other than Lao develop essential oral Lao skills, enabling them to access the national primary curriculum and thrive academically.
Student and adult volunteers recording stories, bringing Spoken Lao and Lao Language Grade 1 textbooks to life.
“Teaching a new curriculum is always challenging,” said Mr. Outhit Thipmany, Deputy Director General of the Research Institute of Educational Sciences (RIES). “When we launched the Spoken Lao approach nationally in September 2024, teachers received new guides, textbooks, picture-word cards, story cards, and bingo games to support dynamic lessons. Since Spoken Lao focuses on listening and speaking skills, these audio tracks are a timely and valuable addition.”
“Our shared goal is for every child, regardless of language background, to succeed,” added Ms. Vanessa Hegarty, First Secretary at the Australian Embassy. “The Spoken Lao approach is transforming the learning experience for thousands of children across urban, rural, remote, and disadvantaged areas. Australia is proud to partner with the Ministry of Education in promoting inclusive education through these new learning materials.”
IMC Radio Section led production and editing of the Grade 1 audio stories.
Produced by the Information Media Center (IMC) in collaboration with RIES curriculum developers and supported by BEQUAL, the 49 audio tracks feature real voices of young Lao students and adult volunteers, bringing the stories to life with enthusiasm, creativity, and professionalism.
In addition to the audio tracks, RIES has produced Teacher Development Video 25, designed to strengthen teaching strategies for Spoken Lao. The video showcases real classroom practices and includes prompts to encourage teacher reflection and self-improvement. To enhance accessibility, the videos are also dubbed in Sign Language.
The young students were very enthusiast and professional.
New videos and audio resources are released regularly. Visit the “ວິດີໂອສຳລັບການພັດທະນາຄູ Teacher Development Videos” YouTube channel or subscribe to stay updated, ensuring no teacher or student is left behind.
KPL
