Bop Htaw Education Empowerment Program (BEEP)
is a 2 -YEAR Residential English Immersion Program Dedicated to Empowering young adults from Burma with the skills and disposition needed to develop civil society through education. The Mission: BEEP was founded in 2000 by the Mon National Education Committee as a two-year advanced English Training Program for young adults of the Mon ethnic group from different regions of Southeastern Burma. BEEP initially set out to develop English Language skills through immersion; however, observation, assessment and continual feedback showed the community had a greater need. Today, BEEP students gain intermediate to advanced level of English language through an integrated skills approach, emphasizing critical thinking, professional development, and teaching and education management. BEEP aims to provide graduates an opportunity to participate in community development with their English Language skills and teaching experience to improve the Mon community school system as well as extend their access to international scholarship awards. |
How it Works
Every year, the applicants who pass the matriculation exam, administered by MNEC staff members, are reviewed for placement in the Bop Htaw program. By the end of the application process, 20-25 students are selected to join BEEP. Criteria for prospective BEEP students include, a high level of English, a strong commitment to work within the community, and experience with teaching. Once admitted, students enter an immersive residential learning environment in Nyisar, Mon State for 10 months; then they transfer to Sangkhlaburi, Thailand for the second 10-month term. During the program, students live on campus with MNEC staff, which allows for ongoing English practice in addition to the six hours per day of English intensive coursework. The students’ coursework includes skills and knowledge applicable to further academic study, as well as teaching practicums in the neighborhood and in a local migrant school. The teaching placement is designed to help students prepare for their roles as teachers in Mon School in South Eastern Burma.
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CurriculumThe curricular framework for Year 2, hosted by the Project for Local Empowerment Curriculum Network was developed in collaboration between World Education and Post-10 teachers. Recently, BEEP teachers have revised the curriculum for BEEP Y1 to update the content and better synergize with the Y2. The curriculum for BEEP draws upon multiple resources; that are easily differentiated and adaptable to the needs of community.
The academic component of BEEP emphasizes three core topic areas: English Language, Teacher Training, and Basic Computer Skills in an environment of English language immersion. Computer class takes place for three hours on the weekend. English classes equally emphasize speaking, reading, listening, writing, and use a wide variety of formats designed to support critical thinking. Teacher Training concentrates on a student-centered approach in low-resource settings including differentiation for learning styles, classroom management, lesson planning and assessment, and basic child protection strategies. In addition, the students practice English teaching at a community-based after school program and at Children of the Forest (COF) migrant school for youth in the local community. Computer classes emphasize Microsoft Word, Excel and Power Point to be able to employ the basic tools for designing reports, databases, and presentations. |
Community Placement
Following the 20-months of academic program, graduates return to Mon communities to assume a two-year contract with MNEC. Graduates may request the region they intend to teach and a few graduates choose to work as education management office staff. During the intensive, the students serve as multi-subject teachers in Mon communities.
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