with Liz O’Sullivan
Feature image: Liz O’Sullivan Preparing teachers for the Cambridge English Test. “Did they watch Leave it to Beaver?”
Palms Program English teacher Liz O’Sullivan is getting busy preparing for schools to open again in Banklothor Public School in Northern Thailand. Liz provides professional skill development for local teaching staff and teaches students from the Nu Po refugee camp and villages in this remote region.
The Ministry of Education in Thailand requires some Thai teachers to do the Cambridge English Test to assess their proficiency. In June Liz ran a two-day workshop to help prepare teachers from different schools in the local area.
The teachers worked hard on preparation tasks and practise tests in Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. Although some tasks were quite challenging, they said they appreciated the feedback and know now the areas they need to develop to improve their English.
Palms is currently scoping requests for other teachers in Thailand. There are similar positions in other countries also looking to improve the opportunities in communities where English provides that potential. Palms arranges living allowances, airfares, insurance and has negotiated agreements with employers for up to two years leave-without-pay for those taking up a teaching assignment.