Negros Occidental Train the Teachers Program
by Rocky Peltzman

From May 16 to May 20, 2005, 20 high school English teachers and one principal from Negros Occidental were trained to use small-group communicative methodology in the conversational classroom.

The impetus for this training came from Governor Joseph Marañon, who, seeing the writing on the wall, wanted to upgrade the speaking skills of the province’s students in order to prepare them for future jobs in the IT and IT-Enabled Services industries. His chief of staff, Attorney Jose Maria Valencia, contacted one of the nation’s most elite private schools searching for a training program, but received no feedback.

In March, Rocky Peltzman, ESL Consultant, met with Attorney Valencia and District Board member Yulo, who promptly came to observe her training trainers for their Bacolod partner, Kauturan Foundation. Within a speedy ten weeks, Rocky was training high school teachers at Mambukal Resort.

Teachers were taught how to present grammar and function rules, student motivation and correction, but the bulk of the course was having teachers practice teach the interactive oral activities to their colleagues. The trainer evaluated them according to a set of criteria which included knowledge of the targeted language, clarity in explanation and giving instructions, style, student correction, etc.

The challenges of large classroom size, lack of photocopiers, etc., was brought to the attention of Ms. Heidi Bianzon, Education Supervisor I—English. In conjunction with her, the teachers planned for the echo sessions and thrashed out means for dealing with logistical challenges.

In her opening remarks, Supervisor Bianzon spoke of a pledge of commitment after the training—

C - ommissioned and committed to change the lives of our students
O - vercome procrastination and start your own training as soon as classes begin this school year
M - ove forward. Shake off the shackles of the past ineffective teaching practices and press on to the greater achievements of the future
M - eaningful, motivating and material-centered instructions to arrive at desired learning outcomes
I - nvest in oneself. Improve one’s knowledge and skills. Every person or teacher has a chance to improve oneself.
T - alents and time. Talents are permanent and enduring. Do everything in your power to build on them. Make every teacher-learning profitable.
M - anner in which you go about your work. Don’t settle for anything less. Look forward and decide to take steps wherein students will benefit the most.
E - nthusiasm and experiences. The bigger the challenge you are facing, the more enthusiasm you need. The richer the experiences of the students, the richer the lives of the students will be.
N - ever measure your success by what others have or haven’t done. On your own, do your best.
T - each, test, solidify learning through real life experiences

As the group parted, Ms. Bianzon’s words were echoing in their ears.