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The Mobile Teacher Programme
Owing to fighting, political repression and economic hardship over a quarter of a million Burmese have fled to Thailand to seek work and currently form a pool of low skilled cheap labour. Another 130,000 people from mainly the Karen ethnic group are living as refugees in camps along the Thai/Burma border. Small, often scattered, schools have been set up to serve these communities. Few of the teachers have any accredited qualifications.
BEP provides support programmes in both the migrant and refugee communities
In 2008, BEP began a phased programme of professional support in the migrant schools. Over three phases a BEP Mobile Unit provided training at ‘grassroots level’ working with partner teachers in the classroom. Further to this in 2010, BEP began a materials’ development programme in the Karen refugee camps. In 2011-2012 BEP will provide a Training Award for migrant teachers to include for the first time an accredited certificate. In the refugee community BEP will continue with materials development to provide EL curriculum materials for all primary schools in the refugee camps along the border. In support of this programme, BEP will provide a Mobile Unit offering professional training to the refugee teachers.
We have just appointed a team of 8 teachers divided between the refugee camps and the migrant schools. They will be working from the end of August until March 2012 next year. At some point in 2012 we will likely be advertising for applicants to continue our work into the next phase. The advert below will give you some idea of what will be required. A link will be attached to our front page when we require further volunteers
You are welcome to visit our website to see updates on the situation.
You are welcome to become a member of BEP which will keep you up to date with the situation on the Thai/Burma border and in Burma itself.
Summary
We are looking for one qualified EFL teacher-trainer. We would welcome applications from a range of teachers, both experienced and those with perhaps a few years’ experience. The successful applicant would become part of a Mobile Trainer Unit [MTU] operating under the guidance of team leader to work in displaced communities on the Thai/Burma border. He/she would be expected to teach in a supportive role alongside the local teachers and to train them in modern teaching techniques. One unit will work in the migrant community [MTU Migrant] while the other will work in the refugee camps [MTU Refugee].
To work with Burmese teachers to:
Develop communicative techniques in the classroom
Develop Teachers’ language skills
Duration: 6 months: September 2011-March 2012
Aims of the Programme MTU [Migrant]
To improve classroom practice and teacher levels of English and provide Burmese teachers with an internationally recognised certificate.
1. Teacher development:
- Work with the partner teacher in class on a weekly basis to plan and deliver lessons by:
- Planning the lesson together
- Demonstrating teaching techniques when necessary
- Observing the partner teacher and providing support, constructive criticism and encouragement
- Develop teaching methodology using a teaching skills’ checklist
2. Language skills:
- Teaching KET/PET classes at a central location with Thai and Burmese teachers
- Working with small groups of teachers at school to improve language skills
Strategy
A Mobile Unit of 4 teachers including a team leader will deliver a Training Award to Burmese migrant teachers. The Award will comprise the development of classroom practice and upgrading of teacher English language levels. Each MTU teacher will be allocated to a cluster of schools working with grades 1 – 8. This will involve:
Team teaching with partner teachers in order to develop communicative techniques
Delivery of Cambridge KET/PET examination course
Updates to the MTP
Cambridge Exam March 2011
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Aims of the Programme MTU [Refugee]
1. Classroom practice
To support grade 1 English teachers in:
• developing the use of communicative techniques in the classroom
• preparing lessons and supplementary teaching aids
• the implementation of new teaching materials
• improving their own English language skills
2. Materials Development
• To develop new English language text books and teachers’ guides for grades 4 – 6, based upon the Thai curriculum.
• To develop materials that are culturally relevant and accessible to students and teachers in schools in the camps.
Strategy
A Mobile Unit of three teacher trainers will work in primary schools in Mae La Refugee Camp. Each teacher will be allocated a cluster of schools. The MU teacher will work under the direction of a team leader to
• Team teach with partner teachers in order to develop communicative techniques and assist in the implementation of new Grade 1 materials
• Provide weekly teacher development and planning sessions for the refugee teachers
• Provide English Language classes for the refugee teachers
The Materials Writer will be attached to the unit in the camp but will focus on the production of new English language text books and teachers’ guides for grades 4 – 6 using the Thai curriculum as a basis for content, and in accordance with the criteria set by the Karen education authorities.
• The teachers’ guides will be translated into Burmese and Karen.
• Each book will be piloted for one year in two demonstration schools in Mae La Camp, after which the materials can be edited and adjusted accordingly.
• Teachers will receive training and support for the implementation of the new materials.
As this is a pilot scheme, evidence will be collected over the six months to inform future planning. This will include monitoring of the teachers’ progress as well as feedback from the Grade 1 teachers, BEP mobile teachers and partner NGOs.
How to apply
Further details are available on the BEP website :
www.burmaeducationpartnership.org >Education & Projects >Mobile Teacher Programme> Application Form
If you wish to be considered for a place in one of the Mobile Units then it is essential that you submit your CV and copies of relevant certificates along with an application form available on the BEP website .
All successful applicants must be able to attend a two day Induction in Durham City Friday evening 23rd - lunchtime 24th July. Application Deadline: May 20th 2011
The Mobile Teacher Programme is financially supported by TEFL.com
Qualifications
• a first degree
• ELT qualification [CELTA or equivalent, minimum]
• British or Irish Citizenship
• Current CRB/Garda Clearance [can be obtained through BEP]
Experience
• Experience of working in a development/education setting
• Experience of living and working in challenging places with limited resources
• Experience of teaching adults and young learners
• Three years’ teaching experience
Skills
• Good team work and communication skills
• Ability to work alone and in a team
• Self -motivation
Living in Mae Sot
Both units will be based in the town of Mae Sot.
Mae Sot is a small town on the Thai/Burma border with a range of shops [including a well- stocked supermarket], restaurants and bars catering for Thai, Burmese and ex- pat communities.
The MTU [Migrant] will work in and around the town of Mae Sot in the small scattered migrant schools. The MTU [Refugee] will work in a refugee camp north of Mae Sot. This will involve travelling into the camp several times a week. Journeys can take from just over an hour to up to two hours.
BEP will provide:
• Bicycles for MTU Migrant volunteers and any job related transport costs
• Comfortable en suite accommodation for the duration of the programme
• Expenses for accommodation and teaching materials
• Expenses for general living costs up to 12,000 baht a month [ a reasonable amount by local standards]
• Expenses for visas
Please email completed application form to:
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and
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Application Form:
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