Thai students learn, enjoy at free English Camp by Filipino teachers

BANGKOK - Aug. 2, 2014 - PRLog -- The Association of Filipinos in Thailand (AFT) and 13 Filipino teachers held a free, 2-day English Camp for over 60 students of Ban Rawoeng School in Sriracha, Chonburi province as part of its community service to Thai children, and in cooperation with Visy Packaging (Thailand) Limited in line with the company’s CSR project. The AFT English Camp is an ongoing AFT core project.

The Filipino teachers-volunteers hailed from Ruamrudee International School, Keerapat International School, Sarasas Witaed Suvarnabhumi School, Kiddies’ Corner Kindergarten School, St Louis Learning Center, Chinavorn School, ISB-Takenoko, Aunareewitaya School and Thai Ayothaya Business Administration Technological College in Ayutthaya province.

AFT president Amando Eufemio said in his opening ceremony remarks that its free AFT-Filipino Teachers English Camp was a gesture of goodwill to Thailand, who is a close friend of the Philippines.

Ajarn Apinporn Sinmaneethanon, the principal of Ban Rawoeng School, explained in her opening speech that learning the English language had become even more important now that the Asean Economic Community (AEC) would become official by 2015.

Efren Villanueva, plant manager of Visy Packaging (Thailand) Limited, said they were happy to work with the AFT on this project as it is among the company’s CSR projects here.

Amando explained that the large deployment of teachers in Ban Rawoeng School during the English camp was intended to optimise the English language learning of students in two days.

Seven teachers were deployed to teach 37 students in grades 1-3, or a teacher-to-student ratio of roughly 1:5, while four teachers taught 27 students in grades 4-6, or a ratio of about 1:7. One AFT Thai translator and two documentation staff also joined.

“Depending on the budget, we prefer a tight teacher-to-student ratio of around 1:6 to optimise the 2-day time and opportunity of the kids to learn a decent number of new English words and sentences and practice their English communication skills, with several teachers assisting them in real time,” he said.

Amando said preparation for AFT’s next English camp was already underway and that AFT were now doing a fund raising campaign and were looking for donors or sponsors for learning books and materials, teaching aids, prizes for games, as well as transportation and accommodations for its teachers and volunteers.

“The AFT normally takes care of all the costs of training, including food and materials, for teachers before holding an English camp while each Filipino teacher forgoes on average a 2,000 baht per diem they will normally receive for teaching at an English camp for non-charitable purposes. We have master’s degree holders and very experienced teachers in the group whose rates are much higher,” Amando said.

“The  English camp is an ongoing community service of the AFT for the disadvantaged Thai students and children and reiterated the association’s policy of cooperating with government bodies or private organisations willing to support such English camp. In April this year we teamed up with the Lions Club International (Thailand) District 310C, together with its Phanat Nikhom counterpart, holding an English Camp in Wat Kaew Silaram School in Phanat Nikhom, Chonburi. This time around we organised the English camp together with Visy,” he said.

Suthee Raa-sri, a Prathom 2 student of Ban Rawoeng School, said “I love to study English. Joining the 2-day English camp activities is so enjoyable. I and my friends are also able to play English games and talk to the Filipino teachers. It’s really a fun experience.”

Chatjinu Chuyinhsakulthip, a Prathom 3 student, said “I and my friends have a lot of fun. We came to school very early. When I studied in the English camp, I have learned new English words, sang English songs and of course danced. My friends and I even went up on the stage, sang songs and danced. We wish to attend the English camp every month.”

A Prathom 6 student, Arpatsara Pankaen, who is able to speak several English sentences added “I wish the English camp to be held as many times as possible. Attending the English camp has helped us study English with foreign teachers, particularly on English pronunciation. I believe that our English capabilities will improve if we often have the opportunities to study English with foreign teachers. I wish to be a teacher when I grow up in order to teach students.”

Additionally, Warin Sawad-dee, a Prathom 6 students, said “When I grow up I wish to be an engineer. Surely, English will be very important. I love to study English. In fact, all students from Ban Rawoeng school attended this English camp organised by the Association of Filipinos in Thailand. I would like to thank all the teachers and volunteers. They really work hard for us.”