Inside the Black Box
By Khunying Kasama Varavarn
Presented at the 30th Annual Thailand TESOL International Conference on ELT in the Next Decade: Sharing, Caring and Daring
It is an honor to have been invited to speak in the Thailand TESOL International Symposium on the theme of “ ELT in the Next Decade: Sharing, Caring and Daring”.
I would like to congratulate Thailand TESOL for successfully organizing international conferences for many consecutive years, illustrating English teachers’ commitments to professional development.
In this symposium, we would have the good opportunity to learn about the latest policy development and advancements in knowledge and technology relating to the teaching of English. Within recent years, the Thai government has devoted considerable efforts and financial supports for training of English teachers. It is a credit to all English teachers and the supporting agencies that the outcomes have been most gratifying. Because of your hard work, the government seems encouraged to continue providing the necessary supports. I am fully confidant that within the next few years, we shall witness marked improvement in English proficiency among Thai students and hopefully, their O-NET scores as well.
However, progress achieved in the past does not guarantee our success in the future. Having read Professor Michael Fullan’s book on “The Six Secrets of Change”, I try to assess our current strategies in terms of his proposed conditions for successful transformation of a large scale educational system.
He begins by reminding us that even though we must focus on our customers, we must “love our employees” as well. If we apply his recommendation to our child-centered approach to education, it means that we have to take good care of our teachers to insure that they are well motivated and well supported. They should have opportunities to improve their competencies and benefit from meaningful interaction with fellow teachers.
I have always taken pride in our efforts to assist our teachers from recruitment, training to career advancements, but coming to this symposium today and learning that many basic education teachers are unable to attend this important symposium due to lack of funds makes me wonder whether we have loved our teachers enough.
Professor Fullan further recommends that in order to bring about changes, we must help to “connect peer with purpose”, “build their capacity” , recognize that the most effective learning must be related to their work and continuously develop our system in support of these changes.
I was most interested in his emphasis that “transparency must rule”,namely,we must open the “black box” of instruction to analyze what works and what does not works in order to help our teachers more effectively.
Last Updated ( Thursday, 04 March 2010 21:57 )
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The 30th Thailand TESOL Annual International Conference in a Nutshell
Monday, 08 February 2010 10:54
administrator
A collection of video clips from the lastest Thailand TESOL Annual International Conference, "ELT in the Next Decade: Sharing, Caring, and Daring," held at the Twin Towers Hotel, Bangkok, during a period of January 29-30, 2010.
Thailand TESOL is now 30-year-old; we are more caring, sharing and daring.
Last Updated ( Monday, 08 February 2010 16:20 )
Welcoming Message from Thailand TESOL President
Monday, 25 January 2010 22:05
administrator
It’s time! Thailand TESOL’s annual international conference is approaching. It’s an exciting time for all of us who are involved in the organization and running of the conference and indeed for everyone planning to attend.
For so much of the year we remain somewhat isolated in our own work environments, burdened by what often feels like overwhelming demands on our time. For this reason we take pleasure in the communal atmosphere of the annual conference. It truly is a time to take stock; to share with others the successes, the challenges, and the new discoveries we have made. It’s a chance to learn about other approaches, other contexts, and other aspects of ELT that may enrich our own working lives and the lives of our students.
With the growth of English as a Lingua Franca, the conference provides an ideal opportunity to collaborate with, learn from, and consider the work being done by educators throughout Asia and beyond. Whether from an inner circle country, and outer circle country or an expanding circle country, there is a growing awareness that ELT theory and practice needs to be tailored to one’s individual environment. A conference such as this is the perfect forum to consider alternative approaches and broaden our horizons. It is indeed a melting pot.
As President of Thailand TESOL, I take immense pleasure in welcoming all participants. Come with an open mind and a caring attitude. Come with a willingness to share ideas and perspectives. Come with a daring state of mind; willing to take on board fresh ideas and perspectives.
We hope you all will enjoy the conference and find it a stimulating experience. We also hope you will enjoy the chance to meet with old friends and make some new ones, content in the knowledge that regardless of our working context, we all ultimately have a similar objective: to enrich the lives of our students.
Ubon Sanpatchayapong
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 26 January 2010 09:41 )
2010 Conference Handbook
Tuesday, 29 December 2009 20:57
administrator
Last Updated ( Thursday, 04 March 2010 22:34 )
Committee 2009-2011
Sitting (from left to right): Suchada Nimmannit, Prof. Surai Pongthongchareon,
Ubon Sanpatchayapong (President), Sonthida Keyuravong, Nopporn Sarobol, and Apisak Phupiphat
Standing (from left to right): Pragasit Sitthitikul, Singhanart Nomnian (behind Pragasit), Sanhapong Khovong, Kanjana Charttrakul, Steve Tait (behind Kanjana), Kruawan Thongwandee, Unchalee Songsermsawad, Chantharat Hongboontri, Pareedar Pakwan, Monthon Kanokpermpoon (behind Pareedar) Suthathip Teerakunkovit, and Channarong Rachabuanoi.
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