From 20 to 21 April 2024, Saint Louis University (SLU) engaged with over a hundred educators and American English Program alumni from all over the Philippines during the official launch of the American English Alumni Association of the Philippines Inc. (AEAAP), also known as AE Alumni PH.
Held at Bayview Manila, Louisian mentors Dr. Stephenie Busbus of the School of Advanced Studies (SAS), including Dr. Geraldine Wakat and Kaye Leah Sitchon of the Languages and Communication Department of the School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts (STELA), joined the launch which was a project grant from the English Access Microscholarship Program (Access), FHI 360, supported by the Regional English Language Office (RELO) of the US Embassy in the Philippines.
An AE Alumni is one who successfully participated in and completed any of the American English (AE) programs, like the Online Professional English Network (OPEN) program, among others.
The two-day gathering was highlighted by plenary sessions, AE alumni talks, a sharing of best practices, as well as the election and oathtaking of the AEAAP Board of Trustees, which commenced right after the general assembly.
To formally open the event, Dr. Stephenie O. Busbus of SLU SAS and the Secretary of the Board of Trustees of AEAAP welcomed AE Alumni from various regions of the country.
Dr. Carleen Velez, Regional English Language Officer, US Embassy Manila, then addressed the body, saying, “This is your organization. I am excited to see how you do your very Filipino thing and grow and build this organization to be uniquely yours, uniquely Filipino, uniquely the American English Association of the Philippines.”
Dr. Kirsten Dyck, the English Language Fellow at Angeles University Foundation (AUF), gave the first plenary on “10 Ways to Make Your Students Hate Reading,” which shared helpful insights and practical action points on how language teachers can effectively instill a love for reading among students that ultimately leads to increased literacy.
Dr. Margarita Consolación-Ballesteros, Director of the International Cooperation Office (ICC) of the Department of Education, then discussed “Establishing Partnerships, Networks, and Linkages.”
Day 1 continued with the afternoon Alumni Talks. Moderated by Dr. Mitchellene V. Rivo, Education Supervisor II, CHED Regional Office I, the panel discourse was made enriching by representatives from NCR, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The panel members are Dr. Jay Begania, Dean of the College of Innovative Teacher Education at the University of Makati for NCR; Dr. Melda Uychoco, Professor IV at Don Mariano Marcos State University for Luzon; Dr. Corazon Padilla, Professor at the Visayas State University for the Visayas; and Dr. Jeryl Casilao-Mindanao, Principal IV.
The second session followed through the sharing of best practices by notable AE Alumni: Dr. Aurelio Vilbar (Visayas), Professor at the University of the Philippines Cebu Director and Director for UP Cebu Pahinungod/Volunteerism; Dr. Irish Mae Fernandez-Dalona (Mindanao), Professor at Mindanao State University; Dr. Romualdo Mabuan (NCR), Academic Chair at Far Eastern University; and Dr. Meejay Domingo (Luzon), Associate Professor and Director of the External Linkages and Partnership, Mariano Marcos State University.
On the second day, the program was focused on the AEAAP world cafe, general assembly, and election. Right after, Dr. Busbus, the Secretary of the AEAAP Board of Trustees, along with BoT members, took the oath of service.
As a Community of Practice (CoP), American English is a resource center for teaching and learning about the American language and culture. The Office of English Language Programs in Washington, D.C., provides academic expertise, advisory services, resources, and materials worldwide. Programs are all implemented by Regional English Language Officers (RELOs) at American embassies and consulates around the world. Among the resources and programs offered by AE are English materials, distance education programs, and teacher training workshops. (KLCS)
