Filamerians Participate at the First Philippine International English Language Conference

The First Philippine International English Language Conference which was held on January 31 to February 1, 2009 at SMX, Mall of Asia was the most long awaited event for Filamerians especially the AB-English students of the College of Arts & Sciences including me as an English teacher. In fact, last year 2008, almost all of the AB-English majors were made aware of this international conference to look forward to,  but because of the financial constraints on the part of the students, only few were given this rare opportunity to participate.

The AB-English students who attended the conference included four seniors and two sophomores. Three among the six participants were able to attend the British International conference because they availed themselves the fifty percent share of the school on the total expenses. This financial assistance was given them as they are officers of the newly organized English club named as Filamer Association of Majors in English or FAME. The students and I as the FAME adviser are ever grateful to the valuable assistance the school had provided.

This international English language conference was the first event ever organized by the British Council Philippines specifically by its club known as English Teacher’s Club which I am a member.

Ms. Frances (one of the speakers) and I

The Speaker (middle) with Filamerian participants (AB-English students and I as their FAME adviser

As I saw the AB-English students queued for registration, I could see on their faces this undeniable excitement where they seemed awed or mesmerized as they were surrounded by people who speak English so natural. These included teachers, few students, school administrators, call center agents who can be identified as Filipinos, Thais, Americans, Europeans, Koreans, and other Asian looking participants whom the nationality could not be really recognized as their English accent was quite different from Filipinos. Said conference was described by the organizer as overwhelming as it attracted more than 900 participants all over the world making it the biggest English language conference in the Philippines thus far.

The first day of conference was absolutely a matter of exploration as we just stayed at the back of a very huge, fully air-conditioned plenary hall of SMX Function Room because almost chairs were already occupied. Nevertheless, we were quickly accommodated with the provision of more chairs. The British Council Philippines was quite organized in its schedules of break-out sessions as they were shown on the two huge white boards placed on the front of the plenary hall.

More so with the technical aspect where each speaker can be seen clearly even from afar as there were two wide screens on both sides of the platform. All speakers lectured with the assistance of the state of the art equipment provided by the SMX, Mall of Asia.

After the plenary session, break-out sessions followed which were held in separate smaller function rooms. The participants were given the option to choose the topic and lecturer based on their point of interest and application as topics followed by lecturers were displayed on the huge whiteboard outside. Consequently, my students and I did choose different sessions and we just met and gathered again in the plenary hall for the last plenary session in the afternoon.

I have two female students who are both young mothers. They were the ones who indeed appreciated the parallel sessions especially the session about learning English the fun way: The pedagogy of using technology in the language and content classroom.

This session was prepared for participants who really love to teach children with the English language. As my students gave their feedback, they were amazed how a simple song can be maximized to create an interesting activity for students to learn the English language in an exciting way. Furthermore, one Manila teacher participant told my three students for being lucky as they were able to attend this kind of conference considering that they are from the province.

Aside from the First Philippine International English Language Conference, there was also the 11th UK Education Fair where leading universities in the UK made orientation with participants and provided them information on scholarship offerings and at the same time prospectus of the different courses.

The two-day international conference left us a positive perspective and meaningful experience. AB-English students have realized the value of being English majors- thus; they indeed appreciated the choice they have made- that is taking up AB-English in Filamer Christian College.

The students have also realized that this conference gave them the confidence to grab and avail themselves of greater opportunities and benefits in the future as they became connected with the different school websites in UK as well as with the website of the British Council Philippines which offers international scholarships. I also have realized that teacher should also find means of tapping international links or clubs to be updated with related and relevant teaching methods and trends. This way, it is not only the teacher who is benefited but as well as the students of his/her school.

AB-English students who attended the conference became more confident, well-driven, and united. They excitedly made a PowerPoint presentation about it during the CAS convocation where the English organization, FAME, was the sponsor. They are also determined to hold activities which will promote the FAME.

The conference further provided us the realization that it is indeed possible to reach great things, and that academic opportunities and enhancements are not only for students and teachers who are in Metro Manila but to all regardless of the school where they belong.

Written by: Ferlee A. Fernando-Soquiño, the  author/owner of this blog named as  Capizupdates.