Book launched to promote teacher’s mastery of English

AS front liners in producing globally-competitive graduates, teachers should be properly equipped with the tools and the skills necessary for a successful teaching-learning process.

Last April 20, a group of Speech teachers launched their book titled “Accents and Voices – A task-based approach for Speech Improvement.”

The book is designed to help teachers achieve verbal proficiency in English so they can successfully deliver their lectures using the language.

Witnessed by teachers of English from various schools, colleges and universities, the launching at the SM City Cebu conference room was highlighted with short lectures on task-based approach in English language by Dr. Rouel Longinos, Communication competence for global competitiveness by Prof. Hazel Aguisanda, Language Pedagogy by Dr. Laiza Grace Cavales and Word drill techniques by Prof. Norma Maratas.

Dr. Cavales, one of the authors, said students can also use the book as a self-learning module. Users of this book will learn to speak in standard American English.

Another author, Prof. Aguisanda, said Accents and Voices is distinct from other textbooks because of the relevance and practicality of its approach. Lessons are presented in modular form; the words used are taken from terminologies across industries. The book , she added, goes with an audio compact disc as guide for individual learners and as a tool for class drill exercises.

Dr. Longinos, on the other hand, underscored task-based approach as a method that is focused on performance that engages students to a variety of fun-filled learning activities. These performance activities improve oral communication skills and can be assessed through the use of rubrics.

While working for a managed healthcare company in Newport Beach, California, USA, Hazel Aguisanda took graduate studies in Speech Communication with emphasis on Intercultural Communication at California State University, Fullerton Campus. She also took speech communication courses at the Saddleback College, Orange County and completed the Dale Carnegie Course in Public Speaking and Human Relations in Anaheim, CA.

Hazel is one of the training pioneers in the call center industry in Cebu and continues to be an active training professional in the field of business process outsourcing.

Hazel represented the Philippines in the 1990 Toastmasters International Prepared Speech Competition held in Dallas, Texas USA.

Laiza Grace R. Cavales teaches Mass Communication and Speech subjects to college students. She shares her experiences as a media personality through giving lectures to aspiring journalists and broadcasters all over the Philippines. She completed the degrees, Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication at St. Theresa’s College, Master of Arts in Development Communication at the University of the Philippines and Doctor of Arts in Language and Communication at the Cebu Normal University.

The authors conduct free training workshops for high school and college institutions. They can be contacted through 0917-6381782, 0906-2052600 or 0922-8298070 or through e-mail at [email protected].