The Way We Should Teach

"Good teachers are simply good peers to their students. They know the kind of experiences students go through in the classroom and respond constructively to these experiences. They identify with students by being a learner. They constantly express to students that they are 'with them' -- in good times, in bad times, in successes, in failures, and above all, in the process of learning."

-- Dr. Edward Roy Krishnan

I could not agree more to this statement from Dr. Krishnan in his book 'It Takes a Learner to Teach a Learner'. As teachers, we have to understand our students and remember that we were once students like them. Although were were raised in separate generations we have to understand the complexity of our students' emotions and thoughts brought by the changes which ate up the recent generation. Thus, give them the appropriate treatment. Learning could be easily carried out if the learners feel that their teacher is for them and not against them. We love to learn with our friends (somebody who is related to us) and not with the people we hate -- the same is true to our students.

Teaching Mathematics in the Vernacular Language

The present secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd) has signed the Department of Education Order 74 nullifying the three and a half decades old Bilingual Education policy which directs the use of Filipino and English as the only media of instruction from basic education to higher education. Take note that none of those languages mentioned is the mother language of most of the Filipinos.

It might take ages before this policy could be implemented but I appreciate the current administration for redefining the Philippines' surge of education. I believe that such policy, if properly implemented, would not only help in preserving the cultural values of our nation but it would also lessen the frustration of our learners. If carried out, the order would bring out the teaching of Mathematics using the learners' mother language as medium of instruction.

If we have noticed, the Philippines, in general, has been poorly performing when it comes to Mathematics although we stood out in recent international Mathematics competitions. Learning the concepts is very essential in Mathematics yet mathematical concept formation has been a problem for most of the Filipino students. The reason behind is that, the students have to understand the language first before they understand the concept and most of the times when they fail to understand the language their frustration in understanding the concept arises.

If our goal in mathematics education is for the students to enhance numeracy (which involves understanding of the concepts), I do not see any point of teaching the subject in a language which is strange in the part of the learners. Concepts could be better understood if taught in a language that is comprehensible. Instead of adding frustration to the students by teaching Mathematics in English, our government could focus more on enhancing the teaching of English as a separate subject. In fact, the teaching of English in the Philippines is a problem because it is very structured (grammar is given more focus) instead of teaching it in communicative approach.

From the Philippine Countryside to an International Degree in Thailand

Almost five years ago, I dreamed of pursuing my post-graduate studies in another country. I knew that such dream was so ambitious for a man whose parents' fickle income only depends to a very little farm in the remote area away from the Philippines' irrigation program. If pursuing bachelor's degree in a state college through a government aid was that tough back then, how about an international degree in another country? Such dream was so pathetic for a struggling part-time crew in a fastfood chain.

Not minding the resources that we have, a very strong lesson on valuing one's dreams (whether big or small) has been taught to us by our parents. As a child, whenever I told my parents about my dream of becoming a teacher, a lawyer, an owner of a nice vehicle and a beautifully landscaped concrete house and other things that an innocent child could think for the future, my parents would usually answer back with the word "POHON" which means "in the future". For sure, they knew what they could only afford. I understood that they did not try to give me false hope. Instead, they instilled an inspiration and strong conviction that with patience, hardwork and faith I would be able to achieve all my dreams. My mother, a religion teacher, used to tell me, "Iampo lang." (Just pray for it). Her statement inspired a resounding faith to me.

Bragging aside, me and my four siblings were able to finish college not because my parents had all the resources to send us to college but because they all had the desire and the vision to see their five children finishing a college degree no matter what. As students, we were always reminded not to indulge ourselves into unnecessary things because all of those could be enjoyed by us in due time. If we want to achieve our dreams, we need to sacrifice for nothing is instant in this world. Everything that comes to life, you have to work for it.

Last year, I have embarked for an international master's degree in Educational Administration here in Thailand, still, with my parents continuous encouragements. Although trials came along the way and some are still coming for sure especially for a self-supporting student like me, I still believe that no limitation could hurdle a determined dreamer. Right now, I am on the final stage of my study -- thesis writing. While working as full-time Mathematics teacher, I also have to work for my research study which will be hopefully scheduled for internal panel defense soon.

I could not imagine how I came this far. From a simple dream woven by a poor man from the Philippine countryside, thoughts are gradually turning into reality. I know it's not something that I could brag about but I am sure that this story of a dreamer could be an inspiration to hopeless individuals who think that we could do nothing with our present. Precisely, as my parents have taught me, we can always choose which path to trudge and do the best that we could to turn our dreams into reality.

Suroy Suroy by Missing Felimon

It's another pride of Bisaya Rock (BISROCK) by my favorite Bisaya Band Missing Felimon. Ever since, Missing Felimon has caught my attention because of their meaningful songs and various genre of music. Besides, they never failed to tickle my fancy.

Suroy Suroy is another song from Missing Felimon worthy of fans' boisterous applause. It talks about the realities of life in Cebu, the Philippines' Queen City of the South. The song portrays a variety of dilemmas that affect the future generation. I encourage everyone to listen the song and have a little time for reflection on what is happening with the hopes of our fatherland.

Here's the song from Youtube...




Other songs of Missing Felimon that I really like are Inglesera and Principal. The latter reminds me of my students who do nothing in my class but make sure that they look physically good while their mind is just milling around the corner. My advise to them, "Pag-artista na lang, ayaw na ka eskwela...." hehehe

Three Years in Thailand and Still Counting

I thought I would never be in this foreign land this long but unbelievably, I am already here in Thailand for exactly three years. On board the Philippine Airlines, I first arrived here September 6, 2006. The country was so strange to me then -- the food, the people, the place. But now, it seems like I am already well-adjusted in the Land of Smiles for I have been doing what Thai people usually do.

Being here for three years now, I already have a good grasp of the Thai language. Apparently, I won't hesitate anymore to answer back when somebody would greet me "Sawatdee Kha/Khrap!" I do eat the hot and spicy Thai food from time to time and have been used to eating raw vegetables together with the delicious somtam (papaya salad). I have ridden tuktuk (Thai vehicle with three wheels like the one in VISA Electron advertisement before). Yes, I have done so many things that the locals do and for that, I am happy that I was able to adopt my host country's culture and ways of living although I still have complaints sometimes.

Remembering, I had my first teaching job in a government school in the smallest province of Thailand. I first taught English as Foreign Language (EFL) to Grades 1, 2 and 3. That was really awesome! I am glad I did it. After working there for one year and six months, luck has stricken me when I was hired in a prestigious Catholic learning institution in Bangkok. I first taught Mathematics to Grades 2 and 4 students and then presently, to Grades 8 and 11.

The number of years for me to stay here is not yet fix but I am planning to stay here for a maximum of five years. It all depends to my work. If I could see that I am continuously growing and earning good amount of bucks then I would probably stay although my heart is whispering me to go back to my country and serve my countrymen. I do hope to do that. I am very positive on going back to Philippines for good for we all know that there's no place like home.

For now, I could do nothing but thank all those people who have helped me in every step of my life abroad. To the strangers I met who became my close friends and even my family here in Thailand. To my unexpected acquaintances who unexpectedly lend their support when I was struggling here. Indeed, they will always be a part of me. I am still here in Thailand because of their generosity. May they will be blessed more and more!

My online community, Siam Pinoy, is really worth of a mention. I am so blessed to have found this online community which later became a part of my growth as a professional in Thailand. The trust and the online network support with my fellow kababayans Siam Pinoy has given is more than what I could ask as neophyte . I hope that the community will continue to grow and will endlessly help other Filipinos in the kingdom.