2004 Programs and Events

Embassy Sponors Teacher Training (Feb. 27, 2004)

Workshop at the Teacher Training College in Xieng Kouang Province.

Post organized a one-week workshop at the Teacher Training College in Xieng Kouang Province to provide training to secondary school teachers from throughout the province and to trainers at the College who provide in-service training throughout the year. This workshop was a rare opportunity for rural Lao teachers to receive instruction in teaching techniques directly from trainers who are Western trained and native speakers of English.

It enabled teachers who themselves speak English as a second language to master teaching techniques not usually practiced in Lao schools, including content based instruction and group exercises appropriate for secondary school students. The training was provided by Frances Westbrook, Bangkok-based Senior English Teaching Fellow, and Bangkok-based Regional English Language Officer Richard Boyum. This was the second workshop held at the five Teacher Training Colleges in Laos; workshops will be held at the remaining three in the coming year.

Result/Impact: The modern American techniques presented to the teachers and trainers, and the American content used in the content-based session, will both improve English language abilities and increase awareness of American society and values in this province in Rural Laos.