Introduction to Student Teaching Methods: Supporting Future Teachers in Lao PDR

(This highlight was written for  and uploaded to the Department of State's English Language Program's Community of Practice Web platform) 

For a second-year class of English Teaching majors at Champasack University, English Language Fellow Julie Dean co-taught the final 10 weeks of a 16-week course titled Introduction to Teaching Methods, alongside her counterpart, Ms. Somchith Vongphachanh. The course followed the university’s curriculum and textbook, which was written in both Lao and English. Having the materials in two languages helped beginner-level English students better grasp the pedagogical concepts.

Key topics included teacher talk time vs. student talk time, when and how to use Lao in the English classroom, using games to enhance learning and increase student participation, and how to give simple, clear instructions in English. Lessons emphasized understanding these ideas through acitive engagement and  practice in class. This was particularly important as most students had beginner levels of English proficiency.

As part of their final exam, students worked together to summarize what they had learned and explain the concepts using both Lao and  basic English. For their capstone task, each student also participated in a short oral interview in English with Ajan (teacher) Julie, where they explained how they would apply good teaching principles in their own future classrooms.

This was a first-semester course I joined late in November '24 due to visa delays, but from day one, Ajan Somchith and the students warmly welcomed me on board. We jumped right into lessons that demonstrated—and most importantly, practiced—effective teaching strategies.

Some of the most engaging sessions focused on understanding the special needs of young learners, especially teenagers and children, whose short attention spans require movement and activity. The students created their most dynamic demo lessons with this audience in mind. The big takeaway? What works well for kids and teens is often good teaching for adult learners, too!