1st CHIANGMAI-CHIANGRAI FILIPINO EDUCATORS CONFERENCE
“Empowering the Community of Filipino Educators in Thailand through Renewed Commitment, Courage and Competence”February 23, 2008 / 8:30 am – 5:00 pmAnuban Chiangmai School, Chiangmai, Thailand
- Discuss the pressing issues on employment and classroom instruction faced by Filipino educators in Chiangmai and Chiangrai.
- Come up with a resolution of the concerns and issues related to the foreign teaching industry.
- Share effective teaching strategies and resources, desirable school management relations, and other valuable information to enhance the Filipino educators’ community.
Rationale: The need for a strong representation of the Filipino educators in Thailand is seen necessary and beneficial. Teaching is one of the main job opportunities which Thailand could offer to the world. Filipinos and other non-Asian nationalities grab this opportunity from reasons of supporting their families to simply enjoying the pleasures of life in Thailand. The community of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) in Thailand is comprised by a growing number of educators. It is believed that there are more than 3,000 Filipino educators throughout Thailand. They are, in fact, the active members of most if not all of the other Filipino organizations in Thailand. Their participation in civic-oriented programs, social functions and other projects in their respective organizations proved that they too can form a strong institute that would directly benefit themselves. One of the major concerns of a Filipino educator working in Thailand is the unfair treatment and comparison they are getting from local school administrators and the community as a whole; specifically, monthly salary and other benefits based on one’s nationality instead of qualifications and skills, parents’ low confidence to Filipino educators teaching English as a second language, and the community’s notion that ESL/EFL is best taught by a native speaker of English. However, there are also some major teaching and personality flaws that a Filipino educator possesses that need special attention like strong interference of his/her first language in using the English language which affect comprehensibility; the need for trainings on how to contemplate their teaching techniques and strategies to Thai culture for effective teaching and learning; and the lack of encouragement and support they are getting from the Filipino community as a whole to bring out the necessary confidence they need in the workplace. Moreover, there are few sensitive issues that needed to be dealt politically with the help of the Philippine government in order to protect the interest of these Filipino educators; for instance, reasonable and just compensation, their participation in Thailand’s Ministry of Education in addressing foreign teaching concerns and among others. These pressing issues could not be properly tackled without proper representation and recognition; thus, it is high time for all Filipino educators in Thailand to get organized. Despite of these problems, there are also many inspiring and educational inputs we can learn from the success, dedication and principles of many Filipino educators. It is equally important to recognize these individuals and highlight their accomplishments in their endeavors so that others will do the same. This one-day conference enables Filipino educators to finally sit together in planning appropriate activities in handling both professional and labor related concerns for the betterment of the Filipino community in Thailand as a whole.
Program:Morning Session
8:30 – 9:00
Arrival & Registration………….. Janice Lunzaga
9:00 – 9:30
Opening Program:
National Anthem………… Delilah Meneses
Invocation………………… Jean Bayacal
Welcome Remarks…….. Gigi Narrido
Introduction of facilitators/ participants
Leveling of Expectations
Briefing and Orientation
9: 30 – 10:30
Introduction of the Keynote Speaker
TALK 1: “Empowering the Community of Filipino Educators in Thailand through Renewed Commitment, Courage and Competence”
Speaker: Ms. Hedda Tan
Group Brainstorming 1
Topics: Introductions, Survey on Needs and Issues Resolutions
10:30 – 11:00
Intermission & BREAK
11:00 – 12:00
Group Brainstorming 2
Topics: Survey on Needs and Issues Resolutions (continuation)
12:00-1:00
LUNCH
Afternoon Session
1:00 – 2:00
Group Presentation 1:
Needs, Issues and Resolutions
2:00 – 2:30
Group Brainstorming 3
Topic: Vision, Mission, Objectives, Activities of a Federation of Educators in Thailand
2:30 – 3:30
Group Presentations 2:
Vision, Mission, Objectives, Activities of a Federation of Educators in Thailand
3:30 – 4:30
Inspirational Message Speaker: Ms. Lorna Coral
Teacher Testimonials on Working in Thailand
4:30 – 5:00
Closing Program:Awarding of CertificatesClosing Remarks
Invocation
Evaluatio
Pictorials
Departure
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