25-Oct-2009 CENTEX, US Embassy support English program for high school students
For the next two years, CENTEX-Ayala Foundation, Inc. will run the FY2008 English Access Microscholarship Program (Access Program) which is an initiative of the United States Embassy in the Philippines and the United States Department of State. The latter through its Educational and Cultural Affairs office will provide CENTEX with approximately $34,000 to fund the Access scholars.
The Access Program allows the scholars to study English for two years in after-school classes and through intensive summer activities. Fifteen CENTEX Manila graduates and 15 CENTEX Batangas graduates meet for three hours in their respective campuses on selected Saturdays to study the geography, history and culture of the United States and compare them with the Philippines to understand their identity and both nations in general. The program aims to move the students' level of proficiency in the English language, especially in the written and oral communication skills. It also aims to increase students' confidence and strengthen their critical thinking skills through student-centered activities. Activities to attain these focus on the following themes: Understanding a Nation, Celebrations, Wells of Inspiration, and Culture and Traditions. Content-based instruction focusing on the Five C's of Language Learning (Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons and Communities) is used to deliver the lessons.
Moreover, the use of technology is incorporated in the classes, and is seen as an integral part of language instruction. This component allows for exploratory learning, variety in the resources available, real-life skill-building in computer use, not to mention the fun factor in it.
The program was launched in the Manila campus and was attended by Martha Buckley, Cultural Affairs Officer of U.S. Embassy last August 8. Last September 18, the students had their first unit culminating activity through field trips at the U.S. Embassy, the Filipinas Heritage Library and the Ayala Museum. They interacted with native speakers of English at the Embassy and learned about the Filipino and American soldiers' experiences during the Second World War. They accessed the library and museum resources to learn more about history. Manila participant Ryu John Andal commended the inclusion of the diorama audio experience at the Ayala Museum. He said that the audio tour allowed him to better understand certain parts of history. To date, the scholars are gearing up for the class's outreach program for the benefit of our war veterans.
Apart from the classes and exposure trips, CENTEX was able to purchase audio equipment, books and other reference materials through the grant. All these will be officially turned over to CENTEX after the two-year program.
CENTEX aims to sustain the program and to expand it to include more students, and to provide training for teachers as well.
