French classes to be offered in 13 science high schools next school year

MANILA (PNA)—To prepare Filipino students for their role as global citizens, Education Secretary Jesli Lapus and French Ambassador Thierry Borja de Mozota on Monday inked an agreement to formally introduce French in 13 science high schools starting school year 2010-2011.

“On account of globalization, our graduates are competing with people from other countries when they join the workforce. Learning a widely used international language early on will give our graduates that competitive advantage,” Lapus said.

He said six science schools from the National Capital Region (NCR) and seven in Region VII (Central Visayas) were selected in the pilot phase of the Special Program in Foreign Language.

The science high schools in NCR include Quezon City, Makati, Manila, Caloocan, Mandaluyong, and Muntinlupa.

He said those in Region VII are the science high schools in Cebu City, Mandaue City, Minglanilla, Toledo, Tagbilaran, Medellin as well as the Science Tech Education Center.

These pilot schools had high Mean Percentage Scores in English. They are expected to serve as lead schools in the regions in mainstreaming the Special Program in Foreign Language.

Earlier, Spanish was offered in 17 selected regional schools in the country.

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Overseas graduates lack language and social skills, study finds

Foreign students in Australia are struggling to find full-time work in their chosen field because they don't have the social and language skills to fit into the Australian workplace, according to a report.

The investigation, commissioned for the Australian Government, indicates graduates may well have the right qualifications but employers are concerned about whether they've integrated into the Australian culture.

According to presenter Emily Bourke, the study by Melbourne University's Centre for the Study of Higher Learning has raised fresh questions about whether overseas students are graduating with the right skills and are prepared for the Australian workplace.

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Parents get “virtual school gate”

BBC News

Parents are to get access to a social networking site linked to their children's school, under a new government-backed scheme. Through the site acting as a virtual school gate, parents will be able to discuss their children's education and issues like bullying in the online community. And those considering sending their child to a school could get information from parents already doing so.

Children's Secretary Ed Balls said it could boost parents' involvement.

Mr. Balls said: "We need to find innovative ways of involving parents in schools, particularly secondary schools.

"I like to think of it as a 'virtual school gate'—where parents can chat to each other online, find out what is happening in the schools and pass on useful information to each other."

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Annual campaign to promote English held in Malaysia

Aiming to enhance students’ English Language skills, the Tunku Abdul Rahman College (Ktar) recently held its annual Promote English Campaign. The year-long campaign is activity-oriented so as to engage students in sharpening their skills in language learning.

Organised by the institution’s Extra-Mural Studies Department (EMSD), the start of the campaign coincided with the Freshie Orientation Week, making the event more meaningful for the new students.

Aside from encouraging students to speak well and write better in English, the event hoped to help students cope with their studies by improving their presentation skills and self-confidence in using the language for self-expression and social interaction.

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