Part I.pdf - MTB-MLE Network

of books. There are teacher instruction handbooks for each of the primers. Income generationprojects are included, and enterprise programmes are set-up. The teachers are volunteers.In literacy classes, there are different levels in each class.Although all students start at the same time, some studentsprogress at a faster rate than others. There is an optimalteacher/student ratio of 1:10; however, sometimes thereare more teachers available. There are nine days of trainingfor teachers, and there is in-service training for teachersafter each book has been completed. The District LiteracyCommittee is responsible for implementation of literacyclasses, and the State Resource Centre prepares materialsand teacher training.ThailandIn terms of the development of teaching materials, it isimportant to identify the target group for whom theinstructional materials and the literature are intended.Establishing the goals and objectives for the organizationof the bilingual literacy classes will inform decisions aboutthe materials that should be developed. Information on adult learning psychology and learningstyles inform the process of materials development. It is important that the content is relevant andrelated to the lives of students. Literacy facilitators learn how to make teaching materials – bothbig books and other materials – like learning games.The Pwo Karen learning materials are not printed in colour. They are printed in black and white,and the teachers colour them using pencil crayons. Materials are tested for the suitability of picturesand concepts. After initial testing, the materials are edited.The group is not yet sure of how many primers there willbe because they are still in the process of programmedevelopment. The group has developed a writing book toenable students to practice writing because there was notenough space to write in the original primers.The Thai group facilitated writer’s workshops using theWriter’s Workshop Manual developed by SIL International.The stages of a workshop include:• Introduction: The importance of literature and literacy• Writing Experience 1: What makes a good story?• Writing Experience 2: Write well known folk tales• Writing Experience 3: Basic writing skills whilewriting a personal experience story40