My Classroom: Burma
Article
Resource
If you are an English teacher in Upper Burma, particularly in Mandalay, you probably know Nyein Ei San. Ms. San has been active in the English language teaching (ELT) community in Burma for the past decade, teaching English as a foreign language and training English teachers in her local community. Ms. San works as what is commonly considered a private teacher. Being a private teacher in Burma means that she is not affiliated with a single school, but instead teaches at multiple institutions.
Ms. San realized she wanted to teach English when she was a university student, through an unusual situation. “Most of my friends were my students, as they did not understand the lessons our teachers taught,” she said. “And from that time on, I tried to find teaching methods to make my friends understand more. It was then that I realized that I wanted to become an English teacher.”
Still, even though she had chosen her career, Ms. San had to overcome many obstacles on her professional journey. For example, during her time at Mandalay University, the university was frequently closed down, so often that it took her more than ten years to finish her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Yet Ms. San persisted; during the multiple university closings, she instead visited the local American Center in Mandalay to work on her English. No challenge could have changed her goal of becoming an English teacher.
Author:
Marie Snider
Downloadable Resources
| File | Format | Size | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| etf_54_2_pg40-43.pdf | 520.15kb | Download |
English Teaching Forum 2016, Volume 54, Number 2
What is a mind map? How can you use concept mind mapping, collaborative mapping, and human mind mapping in your classroom? Find out in the latest issue of English Teaching Forum.