Laos, Australia extend support for teacher development

A teacher explains a lesson to his pupils. - VT

VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/Asia News Network): The governments of Laos and Australia are working to help teachers use new classroom methods to teach children from non-Lao speaking backgrounds.

To make learning easier for students from non-Lao speaking backgrounds, the latest teacher training video produced by the Ministry of Education and Sports, with the support of Australia, introduces five basic techniques.

The objective of these techniques is to ensure that all children can participate more meaningfully in learning.

The first technique demonstrated in the video shows teachers how they can adjust classroom language by speaking more slowly, using simple vocabulary and short sentences and, most importantly, using body language, as 70 per cent of communication is conveyed non-verbally.

The second technique is to ask simple closed questions to check understanding, as children often won’t say if they don’t understand and will simply stop participating.

Another recommendation is to allow the use of students’ home language at different points in lessons, such as to explain the meaning of a word to another student or discuss understanding of an instruction.

Studies indicate that having a strong language foundation leads to a much better understanding of the curriculum as well as a more positive attitude towards school.

Creating a peer support system between students not confident in Lao with students very proficient in Lao is another way teachers can help their students. The video also gives some guidance on peer support systems.

The last technique is to create additional support activities at lunch or at the end of the day to help children with aspects of Lao language that they find challenging.

The new Lao Language teacher guides also suggest literacy games and activities that teachers can choose from when designing extension activities.

To support teachers in their duty to ensure that all students in the classroom have equal opportunities to participate, the e-learning team from the Research Institute of Educational Sciences has released a new teacher development video on this topic.

The video is available on the Education and Sports TV Channel on Lao Satellite 8, on Khang Panya Lao, and on the Teacher Development Videos YouTube channel.

With more than 1.9 million views, the Teacher Development Videos YouTube channel launched in 2019 by the Ministry of Education and Sports with the support of Australia, through the Basic Education Quality and Access in Laos (BEQUAL) programme, is a great success.