Workshop for migrant teachers

This week I have been helping out with Alice's workshop. Alice has already been working with VSO in Thailand for several years. For the last year she has been doing the same role that I am now starting - Early Childhood Development Adviser, but whereas I will be working with Thai schools and teachers, she works with migrant teachers who work in learning centres set up by the migrant communities themselves. In the past, these centres and the education they provide were not recognised by the Thai authorities, though that is changing now. The centres have few, if any, resources, and the teachers are very often not qualified. However, after the last few days I can confirm that their dedication and commitment is boundless! The learning centre where the workshop took place is state-of-the-art compared to most of them. It has proper buildings for a start!

 

Setting up the workshop. No fancy Powerpoints, interactive whiteboard, or indeed tables and chairs!

 

 

Workshop Rules - in Burmese. Usual things - be on time; participate fully; switch off your phone...

 Alice with her coordinator, Pearl. A great team!

 Group discussions

Recording of ideas took place in several languages - Burmese, Karen and some English

Playing the Bottle-Tops game. Beer bottle tops with the letters of the alphabet written on them provide a cheap and simple resource for alphabet games. A fun and interactive alternative to the  rote chanting that is the usual teaching style.

And for the kinaesthetic learners - the letter-race team game. Highly competitive!

Rice sacks can be written on with permanent markers and make very durable classroom charts

 

 

I was astounded at the level of focus and sheer staying power of the teachers when it came to making resources. They were so appreciative of the opportunity to use the materials that were being provided for them - we had to tear them away from their work at break and lunch times!

Doing the Hokey Cokey in Burmese!

 

 

 Home-made number games

And a prize to whoever works out what this is!