Luang Namtha: Over a third of teachers in the Lao PDR are embracing the challenge of multigrade teaching, where students from multiple grade levels learn together in a single classroom. This approach requires teachers to tailor their lessons and manage their attention across different grades to ensure all students remain engaged and achieve their learning goals. Despite the challenges, multigrade classes offer a rewarding educational environment, where students of varying ages and knowledge levels can learn collaboratively.
According to Lao News Agency, the latest episode of the Role Model docuseries by the Information Media Center (IMC) of the Research Institute for Educational Sciences (RIES) takes viewers to a remote village in Sing district, Luang Namtha province. Here, they meet Ms. Syvone Seirsoualy, a dedicated multigrade and multilingual educator. The documentary delves into her teaching passion and strategies to ensure her students fully participate in learning activities.
During the filming, Assoc
iate Professor Dr. Anoulom Vilayphone expressed his admiration for Ms. Syvone Seirsoualy, highlighting her inspiring dedication and the significant impact committed teachers can have on students’ learning experiences. Multigrade teaching is common in many Lao schools, and it is crucial for teachers to adeptly prepare and manage lessons that engage students across different grades.
Ms. Syvone, with 18 years of teaching experience, shares her insights into effective multigrade teaching. Her key advice centers around meticulous lesson planning, where she adapts activities for each grade level to keep students occupied and focused. Ms. Syvone emphasizes the importance of creating special warm-up activities to prevent students from becoming bored or distracted.
In terms of classroom management, Ms. Syvone suggests establishing classroom rules, pairing students of varying abilities, arranging desks for collaborative work, and creating grade-specific learning materials. Mr. Anoulom noted the innovative use of loca
l resources in teaching, such as Ms. Syvone’s use of local plants and a homemade wooden scale for science lessons, which enhances student engagement.
Ms. Syvone teaches students from diverse linguistic backgrounds, which presents unique challenges. Her students, coming from Akha and Thai Neua communities, often speak different languages at home. To bridge this gap, Ms. Syvone uses body language, images, and seeks help from students who can translate to ensure understanding.
Despite the challenges, Ms. Syvone finds joy in multigrade teaching. She believes in continuous improvement and seeks resources like teacher guides, development videos, and peer support to enhance her teaching. Her commitment to her students’ engagement and learning drives her to refine her methods continually.
Ms. Vanessa Hegarty, First Secretary at the Australian Embassy, emphasized Australia’s support for the Ministry of Education in producing the Role Model docuseries. These videos aim to share best practices and innovative teaching
methods to inspire teachers and improve educational outcomes for students in Lao PDR.
The story of Ms. Syvone is available on various platforms, including Education and Sports TV on Lao Sat Channel 8 and the Teacher Development Video YouTube Channel. The Role Model docuseries is an initiative by the Ministry of Education and Sports, supported by the Australian Government and the United States Agency for International Development through the BEQUAL program. This program aims to enhance educational outcomes, focusing on gender equality and inclusive education.