Educate young villagers in Burma

Project Duration: June 2013- March 2014 (10 months)

Project Location: Mai Ja Yang, Kachin State, Burma-China border.

Budget amount received (2013): USD 6485

At the beginning of the school year (June 2013), there were changes to student numbers and the overall teaching capacity at the Mai Ja Yang Intensive English School. There are 90 students enrolled this school year, 66 are new and 24 are second year students.

The first school director retired and new director has been appointed. New Director, Ja Htoi Pan, is an alumna of the school and recent graduate with an MA in Anthropology from Northern Illinois University. She has returned to the Mai Ja Yang community to offer her skills and support. There are currently 6 full-time teaching staff, 2 full-time pastoral staff and 2 volunteers supporting the running of the school.

There have been some improvements in curriculum. Social studies subjects have been expanded for both first and second year students. Literature subjects have been introduced to the second year curriculum.

The Mai Ja Yang Intensive English school is currently running its 14th session (10-month course) and has produced more than 460 graduates thus far. A large majority of them are now teachers in the Kachin education system.

The communities' feedback on the Mai Ja Yang Intensive English school continues to be overwhelmingly positive. By the end of the school year, the school often receives calls from community and non-government organisations who are interested in hiring their graduates. Community leaders have testified that most graduates of the school stand out in their villages and communities. 

Curriculum 2013-14

Session 14, Level I:

1. ESL 101.  Think English

• Think English Pre-Intermediate, English for Myanmar students. Educasia, Myanmar

2. Engl 102. Grammar

• Practice Makes Perfect: Elementary English Grammar for ESL Learners/Edward Swick (2005, The Mcgraw-Hill Companies Inc.)
• Practice Makes Perfect: Intermediate English Grammar for ESL Learners/Edward Swick (2008, The Mcgraw-Hill Companies Inc.)

3. Engl 103 Pronunciation

• Well Said: Pronounciation for Clear Communication/ Linda Grant (2^nd  Ed, 2001). Boston: Heinle& Heinle Publishers. (Book and Audio Cassettes)

4. Engl 104. Writing Basics

• Practice Makes Perfect English Sentence Builder/Edward Swick (2009, The Mcgraw-Hill Companies Inc.)

5. Engl 105 Reading Practice

6. Engl 106 Vocabulary Enhancement

• Practice Makes Perfect: English Vocabulary For ESL Learners/Ed Swick (2006, The Mcgraw-Hill Companies Inc)

7. SS 101. Introduction to Social Sciences

• Introduction to Social Studies (3^rd Ed, 2011)/ Curriculum Project
• Systems of Democracy (1^st Ed)/ Curriculum Project
• Man and Environment/Educasia

Session 14, Level II:

1. SS 201 Introduction to Law and Politics

• On Common Ground Civics Education Program for Advanced ESL Students/ Sally Beaty et.al. 1999. Pasadena, CA: INTELECOM (Work Books & Videos)
• Democracy: A Beginner's guide
• Introduction to Political Science in Kachin Context

2. ESL 201 4 skill Core Course

• Animal Farm by George Orwell/Educasia

3. Engl 202 College Writing

4. Engl 203. Introduction to Literature

• Romeo& Juliet, a play by Shakespeare /Educasia
• Modern Short Stories. Introductions to Modern English Literature for students of English/ Alex Martin and Robert Hill/ Longman
• Kachin Literature

5. Seminars and Workshops 

• Guest Speakers, Kachin community leaders, Debates, Civil Society/NGO workers, etc.

Prospect Burma will be sending the next traunch of funding to the school in March 2014.

Links:

• Alumni Facebook Page