Temasek FP (Thailand)
Temasek Foundation Project (Thailand)
Press Release
NUS and Temasek Foundation Partner Thailand’s Ministry of Education to Boost English Language Learning in Thai Universities
Initiative will lead to design and development of effective activities and strategies to further improve English competency of university students
Bangkok, Thailand, 4 January 2013 - The Centre for English Language Communication (CELC) at the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Temasek Foundation today announced the launch of a programme, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education of Thailand, to develop, trial and implement methodologies, strategies and activities that will further enhance the English language competency of university students. The programme is made possible through a grant of over S$400,000 by the Temasek Foundation to CELC.
The programme was officially launched today in Bangkok, Thailand, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by Associate Professor Wu Siew Mei, Director of CELC, and Associate Professor Preang Kitraporn, Chairman of the Meetings of Rajabhat University Presidents. The signing of the MoU was witnessed by Thailand’s Vice Minister of Education Ms Chaweewan Klangsand, Singapore’s Ambassador to Thailand Mrs Chua Siew San, Chief Executive Officer of Temasek Foundation Mr Benedict Cheong, and NUS Vice Provost (Student Life) Professor Tan Tai Yong.
H.E. Phongthep Thepkanjana, Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister, said, “Investing in our teachers is the key to reversing the high rate of secondary drop out and poor performance in key subject areas. I thank our partners for many professional development initiatives for teachers (through Rajabhat Universities) to help address the issue of student learning and school performance. We need to build human capital needed to drive economies and ensure sustainable growth under the ASEAN Community.”
In line with its strategic goal to increase the competency of Thai students in English for economic and communication purposes, the Ministry of Education of Thailand has appointed a cluster of 25 Rajabhat Universities to partner CELC and Temasek Foundation on the programme. The Rajabhat Universities are one of the university systems in Thailand, which traditionally focused on teacher education. In recent years, this focus has expanded to include a comprehensive range of disciplines. With this broadening of scope to provide opportunities for tertiary education to more students, the learning of English and the competency to communicate in English have become increasingly important for students as they graduate and enter the workplace. The key thrust of this 18-month programme is therefore to work with lecturers of Rajabhat Universities to enhance their knowledge and skills to facilitate a revamp or development of methodologies, strategies and activities in order to better enhance the teaching and learning of English in a foreign language environment, in particular, in the Thai context.
The programme which runs from January 2013 to June 2014 will involve a series of workshops, consultation sessions between lecturers of 25 Rajabhat Universities and CELC, as well as the piloting of strategies and activities at respective universities. Upon the completion of the programme, the lecturers will have a collection of effective motivational strategies, activities and materials that have been piloted and revised in the Rajabhat Universities context, which will be shared with the wider English language teaching community in Thailand.
Mrs Chua Siew San, Singapore's Ambassador to Thailand, said, "I am happy to see this mutually beneficial initiative. The project will not only help to facilitate the transfer of knowledge from CELC to Thai lecturers and students, but also help CELC to gain new insights and make new friends. Such collaborations strengthen the people to people linkages between Singapore and Thailand, as we continue to work towards our common vision of an ASEAN Community."
Mr Benedict Cheong, Chief Executive Officer of Temasek Foundation, said, “Over the past three years, Temasek Foundation had worked with the Ministry of Education in Thailand to enhance capabilities of master teachers and supervisors of English language from Thai primary and secondary schools. To complement our earlier efforts, we are supporting the ministry’s efforts to build capabilities and capacities in teaching methods of English for business communications at the tertiary-level, to assist university students in learning English as a second language. Through this programme, the participants will be able to develop a training framework and training materials which they will subsequently share with their peers and colleagues.”
Professor Tan Tai Yong, NUS Vice Provost (Student Life), commented, “NUS is pleased that with the support from Temasek Foundation, CELC is launching yet another meaningful programme, this time collaborating with the Rajabhat Universities and the Ministry of Education of Thailand to boost university students’ interest in the learning of the English language. I am confident that the collaboration with the 25 Rajabhat Universities across Thailand will be another platform for all the participating partners to share the best practices in motivating students to learn English and communication skills. More importantly, I hope for a cascading effect where participants involved in the programme will be able to share what they have learned with other colleagues either within the same or beyond the institution.”
Since 2009, CELC has worked with universities in the Southeast Asian region in addressing critical and relevant questions about the learning and teaching of English in this region. Together with partner universities and institutions such as the University of Philippines, Visayas and Los Banos, Vietnam National University, University of Cantho, Satya Wacana University, and Politeknik Negeri Jember, CELC has successfully led in various initiatives to effect revisions and concrete changes in curriculum and materials as well as the way in which English language lecturers engage with their students. Last year, with support from Temasek Foundation, CELC initiated a programme to review and enhance teaching methodologies for English academic writing in teacher training colleges in the Lao People's Democratic Republic.
Workshop Facilitators
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Dennis McInerney is Chair Professor of Educational Psychology and Co-Director of the Assessment Research Centre at the Hong Kong Institute of Education (HKIEd). He has served as Associate Vice President (Research and Development) at the HKIEd for a number of years. |
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George JACOBS has a doctorate in Educational Psychology and works in the areas of language education and student-centred learning. He has more than 20 years of experience teaching in Asia. From 1993-2000, he taught at the Southeast Asia Ministers of Education Organisation’s Regional Language Centre (SEAMEO RELC). Since then, he has taught for many organisations, including the National Institute of Education (Singapore), Ministry of Education (Singapore), James Cook University (Singapore) and Loyola Marymount University (via distance). In 2011, he took part in a National University of Singapore programme in Laos. George is the author of many books, articles and conference presentations, including books and articles with Dr Renandya. |
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Dr. Willy A. Renandya is a language teacher educator with extensive teaching experience in Asia, currently teaching at the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. He is a frequent speaker at international conferences and has published extensively, including an edited book entitled “Methodology in Language Teaching: An Anthology of Current Practice” with Jack C. Richards, (CUP, 2002, 2008). His latest publications include “Teacher, the tape is too fast – Extensive listening in ELT” (ELT Journal, 2011), “Five reasons why listening strategies might not work with lower proficiency learners” (ELTWO, 2012; http://blog.nus.edu.sg/eltwo/), and a co-edited book “Principles and Practices for Teaching English as an International Language" (Routledge, 2012). More details about his works can be found in: http://www.nie.edu.sg/profile/willy-ardian-renandya |
Participants
67 Participants from 24 Rajabhat Universities
click here for more details on participants
Rajabhat University |
Participants |
Phranakhon (7) |
Dr. Wilaichitra Nilsawaddi |
Suan Sunandha (4) |
Ms. Gunniga Anugkakul |
Suan Dusit (2) |
Dr. Kwanhathai Choedchoo
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Moo Ban Chombung (4) |
Dr.Opas Horasit
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Valaya Alongkorn (5) |
Wachiraporn Phadungsilp |
Rajanagarindra (2) |
Ms. Sumali Kanawutikatiworakul |
Rambhai Barni (2) |
Ms. Proyfon Wongchaochan
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Kanchanaburi (5) |
Asst. Prof. Dr. Phongsak Raksapetch
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Nakhon Pathom (1) |
Ms. Pussadee Patoomarak |
Chiang Rai (2) |
Mr. Worrapol Toopmongkol |
Chiang Mai (5) |
Ms. Worasuda Wattanawong
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Lampang (2) |
Ms. Pranom Wongmoenrat |
Uttaradit (2) |
Ms. Neungreutai Duangdun |
Kampaeng Petch (2) |
Dr. Nisakorn Prakongchati |
Pibulsongkram (1) |
Ms. Umaporn Yosjareon |
Nakhon Sawan (2) |
Dr. Prachak Rodtrawut |
Roi Et (3) |
Mr. Yuttachak Lamjuanjit |
Burirum (3) |
Dr. Surachai Piyanukool
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Udon Thani (2) |
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Prayong Klanrit |
Sisaket (2) |
Ms. Thiwaporn Thawarom
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Loei (1) |
Dr. Pongthep Boonroeng |
Phuket (2) |
Ms. Jirawan Suttitam |
Suratthani (5) |
Ms. Rattana Jangpiboonpong |
Songkhla (2) |
Ms. Sommai Chotiratana |
Singapore
| Brad BLACKSTONE is a lecturer in the Center for English Language Communication (CELC) at the National University of Singapore (NUS). Brad has developed and taught entry-level English, English for academic purposes, communication and writing courses over three decades in universities in the United States, Portugal, Malaysia, Japan and now Singapore. He has also done corporate projects and teacher training. His latest publications focus on the use of social media in English language teaching and learning. Brad has also been a recent recipient of both the CELC Commendation for Teaching Excellence and the NUS Teaching Excellence Award. |
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Peggie CHAN is Senior Lecturer in the Centre for English Language Communication (CELC), National University of Singapore (NUS). She obtained her first MA (American Literature) from the University of Malaya, and her second MA (English Language) from the National University of Singapore. Currently, she teaches Intermediate Level Writing to graduate students, and embedded modules in the Faculty of Engineering. She is heavily involved in the development of materials, and assessment. Peggie won the Centre’s Commendation for Teaching Excellence in 2006 and 2008, and the NUS Annual Teaching Excellence Award in 2009. Her research interests are in the teaching of writing and professional communication. She regularly presents at staff seminars and international conferences. Her latest publication is in a co-authored volume entitled Communicating in the University Culture. |
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Dr DENG Xu Dong is currently a Senior Lecturer in the Centre for English Language Communication (CELC) at the National University of Singapore (NUS). He has taught English Proficiency, English for Academic Purposes, Cross-Cultural Communication for undergraduate students, and a PhD Thesis and Research Paper Writing course for doctoral students. Xudong received the CELC Commendation for Teaching Excellence award four times. Xudong obtained his PhD in Applied Linguistics at Edith Cowan University, Australia. Earlier he received two Master’s degrees, one in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics and the other in Linguistics for English Language Teaching. Xudong has presented and published papers on a wide range of topics, including syllabus design, curriculum development, material design, use of IT, course evaluation, classroom teaching techniques, pragmatics, and cross-cultural communication. To find out more about Xudong, please click here. |
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LEE Kit Mun has spent the past 20 years in Science and English Language education, in classroom teaching and publishing of educational resources for teaching and learning. She joined the Centre for English Language Communication (CELC), National University of Singapore (NUS), as a full-time lecturer in 2010, and since then, has taught academic writing and communication modules for undergraduates, in addition to English Language bridging courses for MOE scholars from the People’s Republic of China, as well as grammar and pronunciation workshops for NUS staff. Prior to joining CELC, she taught part-time at the National Institute of Education and Singapore Institute of Management University (UniSIM), where her students were mostly trainee or practising school teachers. Kit Mun received the CELC Commendation for Teaching Excellence in the category of EAP for the academic year 2011/2012. |
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Jeffrey MOK has for the last 18 years been teaching University students including trainee teachers. Holding a Doctorate in Education from U.K., Jeffrey specialises in online learning and student centred learning strategies such as collaborative and problem-based learning; he has blended these approaches to enhance student motivation and self-directed learning. A co-editor and co-author of educational and English textbooks, Jeffrey has also received a best research paper award. Having taught and trained teachers in Hong Kong (3 years) and Japan (6 years), he has also trained in Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, Malaysia, Cambodia and Thailand. Jeffrey also prepared lecturers to teach in a polytechnic for 5 years. |
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WONG Soon Fen teaches English and Communication courses at the Centre for English Language Communication (CELC). Since joining CELC in 2007, she has taught undergraduates and postgraduates across different faculties. Soon Fen has also coordinated bridging courses for the Ministry of Education Senior Middle 2 scholars from the People’s Republic of China. Prior to CELC, Soon Fen’s journey in English Language Teaching as teacher, teacher trainer and project manager in Raffles Girls’ School, SEAMEO Regional Language Centre and the Singapore International Foundation gave her the privilege of engaging with beautiful communities in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Nepal, Timor Leste and Vietnam. |
Contact Us
Please contact us if you would like to find out more about the project.
WU Siew Mei
Contact Number: 651-63865 |
Susan TAN
Contact Number: 651-63873 |
