If you fail to prepare,
prepare to fail!
Manila, Philippines
5 May 2015
One the Philippines most trusted publishing company Rex Book Store invited the Executive Director of Maharlika
International School together with his faculty on a seminar focusing on Quality
Instruction: Key to Greater Classroom Success.
Competent Instructional Product
Design Specialist gave well-rounded discussions on different aspects of the
educational sector. It started with a discussion on Quality Education across
the Globe. All educational institutions would like to give quality education to
their learners. Anyone can have an education but the question remains to be how
such an education can be called a quality one. Quality education would mean
competent teachers, excellent facilities, updated educational resources,
value-laden lessons and of course a socially-adept education.
The K to 12 Curriculum was explained
in detail by one of the speakers. Educators should know about the features of
this curriculum for they are the vanguards of the educational process of
would-be learners. This curriculum is still young and still there are many
rooms for improvement along the way.
Finally, two lecturers focused on
applicable and practical teaching techniques to achieve quality instruction.
Such techniques can be adapted by institutions who wish to have a
transformative education. A type of
education which can fill a mind with knowledge, hands with skills, and a heart
for the society.
Palawan, Philippines
13-16 May 2015
The picturesque island of Palawan
does not only offer a paradise for the eyes but also for the mind.
Maharlika International School, the
only Philippine School Overseas in Timor-Leste granted by the Department of Education of the Republic of the Philippines with a permit to adapt its Curriculum attended the 13th
Conference of Philippine School Overseas with the theme “21st
Century Learning: Re-engineering Education for the New Millennium”. The
conference was organized by the Inter-Agency Committee of Philippine School
Overseas (IACPSO) at the Legend Palawan, Puerto Prinsesa, Palawan, Philippines.
The assembly was practically divided
into three categories affecting PSOs on its educational thrust. Initially, a
closer look on the paradigm shift of the Philippine Education system on its new
K to 12 Curriculum as a whole was presented. Secondly, the important aspects of
being an educator in the 21st century, the phenomenon of inclusive
education, and the equally-important child protection and the rights of a child
were discussed. Managerial and administrative concerns were highlighted on the
third day of the conference. Seasoned and excellent lecturers, educators,
school administrators and government officials facilitated the said
conference.
Indeed, the activity was an avenue
for educators of Philippine School Overseas to come as one family and discourse
among themselves the recent trends and phenomena which are affecting them. Once
more this commendable activity created and developed heightened consciousness
and lateral thinking on the conference’s participants. This is a proof that
institutions outside the Philippines can achieve excellence and can be unified when there is greater
professionalism coupled with respect in the spirit of kinship.
Not having to miss the world wonder,
participants were also given a day to explore the magnificent island keeping
the memory worthwhile. As they say, all that starts well ends well.
Mabuhay IACPSO!
Dili, Timor-Leste
16 May 2015
The Universidade Nacional Timor
Lorosa’e, Faculty of Arts and Humanities in association with the Timor-Leste
English Language Program (ETELP), Embassy of Australia and Australian Aid, and
the United States Department of State, English Language Fellow Program hosted a
seminar for English teachers in Timor-Leste with the theme “Using Active
Learning in the English Language Classroom” which Maharlika International
School participated.
Speakers and guest lecturers from
the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines and
the host country Timor-Leste graced the said event with their field of
expertise on the English Language.
The seminar was subdivided into
three plenary sessions with parallel discussions happening simultaneously.
Participants have the liberty to choose from wide-ranging topics such as
Communicative Teaching, Teaching Grammar with Games, Oral English, Interactive
Listening Activity, Teaching English through Songs and Developing Critical
Thinking Skills in English Language Learners among others.
It was an interactive kind of
seminar far from the usual “speaker-speaks and participant-writes” type of
functions. Participants can have educational games and interactive activities
with their facilitators. Hence, the seminar was true to one educational adage
which says “involve me and I will learn.”
Certainly, English educators from
across the country were able to learn a lot from this activity and hopefully
will apply on their respective educational institutions.
Challenge accepted.
Fire away. We are ready!