Part I.pdf - MTB-MLE Network

UNESCO-APPEAL, the Office of Non-formal Education Commission has piloted a research projectto develop bilingual literacy materials to promote literacy for the Pwo Karen in Omkoi District ofChiang Mai, northern Thailand. The purposes of the project were to study conditions and learningneeds of the people in the target area, develop a curriculum framework and content for materialsdevelopment, develop bilingual materials in cooperation with Pwo Karen community members,pre-test the materials, and disseminate these to the learners. It was anticipated that this would providean effective educational model for potential replication to other ethnic minority communities.Action research approaches were adopted in cooperation with many different agencies –administrators, academics, Pwo Karen teachers from non-formal education learning centres, Pwostudents and Pwo Karen children and adults from the village site of Nong Ung Tai, Omkoi. Theylearned together, shared experiences and worked with SIL International 8 consultants to developa Pwo Karen writing system. The project, therefore, was designed to promote ownership by thePwo teachers and community.Research findings from SIL International, basedat Payap University, provided the foundation fordevelopment of the target area’s Pwo Karenwriting system. The process involvedexamination and analysis of the Pwo soundsystem, word list checking with Pwo people atthe village site and a workshop for Pwo alphabetdesign. The Pwo Karen continued to test thewriting system by producing materials, includinga draft alphabet chart, picture dictionary, spellingguide and “The Rabbit and Snail” booklet. Theteachers studied the cultural themes of thevillage, and made a cultural calendar as a basis for curriculum development. They produced sixbig books for teaching, and these big books were also duplicated into small booklets for individuallearners. Word cards were also made. The teachers were encouraged to produce more big booksand other materials for literacy class to promote further use of the writing system.Viet NamThe Vietnamese (or the Kinh) are the largest group in Viet Nam, accounting for about 88% of thetotal population. The remaining 22% of the population are members of some 53 ethnic minorities,mostly living in the mountainous regions. There are 24 ethnic minority groups with scripts. 9In Viet Nam, the ethnic minority people tend to live in mixed communities – it is common forseveral minority groups to live in one commune or geographic area. Using only one minority languagein a class as medium of instruction poses a serious obstacle to learning for those who do not speak8SIL International is a non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to promoting language-based development with minoritylanguage communities. SIL works in partnership with governments, educational institutions and other NGOs facilitating languagedevelopment through linguistic research, translation, literacy programmes and practical service.9They are Tay, Thai, Hoa, Kh’mer, Nung, H’mong, Gialai, Ede, Bana, Xo Dang, Ko Ho, Cham, Hre, Mnong, Raglai, Xtieng,Bru (Bru, Van Kieu), Kotu, Gie Trieng, Co, Ta oi (Pa Co), Cho ro, Chu ru, and Lao.20