Owing to fighting, political repression and economic hardship over quarter of a million Burmese have fled to Thailand to seek work. Another 130,000 are in refugee camps. The 'migrant' population provides a low skilled, low paid workforce for the factories and farms along the Thai/Burma border. In response to this influx of migrants small schools have been set up providing some level of education. English is part of the curriculum.
The Mobile Teacher Programme is now under way
BEP offered a unique opportunity for three volunteer EFL teachers to establish an English teaching project in the migrant schools scattered around the town of Mae Sot. The teachers are part of Mobile Teacher Unit with each teacher working in a cluster of 2-3 schools. The children are aged from about 9-16 and come from the eight main Burmese ethnic groups.
One key outcome of Phase 1 of this project is the creation of supplementary materials to extend the current materials available in the schools. The team received a pre-departure briefing from BEP. Under the guidance of the Project Leader the team are creating a skills framework for the teaching of English and developing supplementary teaching materials. The teachers are also delivering some training to the Burmese teachers in the use of these materials. This is contributing to the development of a sustainable network of 'trained' teachers who will be able to carry on the work following the end of Phase 1.
An evaluation and debriefing session will be held on return to the UK in order to agree steps for Phase 2. In the second phase it may be able to expand the project to other schools and other areas of the border.
These volunteer posts are for three months. The project began in September.
Mae Sot
The teachers have been provided with accommodation in the town of Mae Sot. This is a small Thai town near to the Burma border. There are restaurants, cafes and bars in the town serving the tastes of both the Thais and resident 'ex-pats'. Laundry services are plentiful and cheap. As well as the Thai markets and family-run shops there is also a very adequately stocked branch of Tesco [known locally as Lotus].
Visas
British nationals receive an automatic 30 day visa. This is renewed by crossing the Moei River bridge at Mae Sot and making a short visit to the neighbouring Burmese town of Myawaddy. On re-entry to Thailand the visa is updated.
These are the Terms of Reference that the Mobile Teacher Volunteers are working under:
1. over a three month period teach English in a cluster of 2-3 schools to children aged approximately 9-16. Teaching time is negotiable as a major part of the work will focus on the development of materials
2. in conjunction with the other teachers and with the support and guidance of the Project Leader
• contribute to the development of a skills framework
• develop and trial teaching materials
• help to train Burmese teachers to use the materials
3. keep in touch with the Project Leader through email and website access posting, receiving and editing materials
4. engage with local NGOs and Burmese education organisations
5. prior to travelling to Thailand participate in an induction on educational and cultural issues, BEP procedures and policies, and life on the Thai/Burma border
6. on return to UK participate in evaluation and debriefing sessions to agree steps forward
BEP will provide
• the cost of three months accommodation in Mae Sot.
• travel costs in Thailand
• travel insurance
• contributions to the costs of any transport and accommodation in the UK for the induction and debriefing sessions.
• living expenses up to 11,000 Baht a month. This is a reasonable amount by local Thai standards.
Qualifications
• An EFL qualification
• Experience in teaching young learners
• Strong teamwork and communication skills
• A current CRB certificate [one can be obtained through BEP]
• Experience in materials development
• British Citizenship
For further information please contact Bob Anderson, BEP Programme Manager: bobanderson792@btinternet.com
or phone