NDMU Conducts Ongoing Capacity-Building Program for Teachers and Learners of Marist Learning Center in Thailand

The Notre Dame of Marbel University (NDMU) is currently conducting a capacity-building and immersion program for the teachers and learners of the Marist Learning Center (MLC) in Thailand, aimed at strengthening English language proficiency and teaching competencies. This program commences on April 24 and ends in April 30, 2026.

This initiative forms part of NDMU’s community extension, service-learning, and internationalization efforts, reflecting the University’s commitment to extending its academic expertise beyond borders while fostering meaningful intercultural engagement and social responsibility.

Strengthening Communication and Teaching Competencies

The program integrates online capacity-building sessions with a face-to-face training and immersion experience in Thailand, ensuring continuity of learning and practical classroom application. Anchored on the goal of enhancing English communication and learner-centered teaching, the program seeks to improve participants’ proficiency in spoken and written English for academic and instructional use; strengthen classroom communication and teaching strategies for multilingual learners; support the development of innovative lesson plans and contextualized instructional materials and provide NDMU faculty and pre-service teachers opportunities to demonstrate intercultural teaching practices.

The NDMU delegation is composed of six faculty trainers and eight pre-service teachers from the College of Education and College of Arts and Sciences- Language Department. The NDMU team is composed of Dr. Wilter C. Friales, Internationalization Officer; Dr. Ma. Magdalena F. Cobrador, Dean, College of Education; Mrs. Aneyl Romero, Language Department Head; Dr. Caroline Abaigar, Language Faculty; Mrs. Leofer Roxas, Language Faculty and Mr. John Paul Pendon, Education Faculty.

They are joined by pre-service teachers: Franceen Hasmin Ira S. Valdez, Celine Joy C. Junio, Frezelle Myka A. Galicia, Eisa Eleni Q. Palmes, Francine Sophia P. Espulgar, Julienne Ayn B. Ampoyas, John Thyron S. Laguardia, and Mark Paul S. Hallegado.

Warm Welcome from the Marist Community

The NDMU delegation was warmly received by Br. Ismael Valls Pujol, Ministry Head of the Marist Learning Center, together with the Marist Brothers and the MLC community. The visit reflects the shared Marist mission of forming educators and learners grounded in service, compassion, and global solidarity.

Capacity-Building, Immersion, and Cultural Exchange

The on-site component includes a Capacity-Building Program for teachers and a Summer English Camp for learners, creating meaningful opportunities for teaching, mentoring, and experiential learning. Beyond classroom engagement, the program also promotes intercultural understanding and collaboration, culminating in a cultural exchange program scheduled at the conclusion of the training on April 30.

Building Bridges Through Education

As the program continues, both NDMU and MLC reaffirm their commitment to forming educators who are not only competent in their craft but are also responsive to diverse learning contexts. This collaboration highlights the value of community engagement, service-learning, and international partnerships in advancing inclusive and transformative education.