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Content-Based Instruction probed in a Seminar-Workshop

By Venus R. Parmisana and Judith S. Cagaanan

Almost two hundred participants attended the whole-day seminar-workshop on Content-Based Instruction (CBI) held at the CED Amphitheater on November 14, 2009. Organized and hosted by the Department of English, of the College of Arts and Social Sciences, the said seminar was conducted by Prof. Robert J. Dickey, who shared a thorough knowledge on the subject matter.

Robert J. Dickey is an Associate Professor of the Department of International English & Tourism in Geongju University, South Korea. He is also the past President of Korean TESOL and has been teaching in Korea since 1994.

Volunteered to travel in Mindanao as it was to be his first visit, Dickey had found an ally in Prof. Lynnie De Ocampo, a newly-hired faculty of the English Department, who facilitated his trip, making the said academic assembly possible.

In a quite unorthodox pedagogy in delivering the lecture, Prof. Dickey certainly charmed both teachers and students in such an engaging seminar. The students turned in some comprehensive outputs that were presented in the afternoon despite time constraints as Dickey needed to leave same day. He later confirmed the participants’ good contribution for a successful seminar. “I had a great time with the participants especially the young teachers”, said Dickey in an e-correspondence. “My short stay in Iligan was worth my time,” he further disclosed.

Written assessments from the participants were gathered to ensure proper documentation. Prof. Paula K. Alinsangan, a senior faculty of the said department later iterated: “The seminar certainly enriched students’ knowledge in language teaching.” She further said “Students’ active participation in preparing and presenting CBI instructional materials ultimately made the seminar more challenging. Indeed, they apparently enjoyed it.”

cbi seminar workshop cass

Overall, the seminar was well-attended as shown by the presence of the Assistant Dean of CASS, Prof. Edwin Peter S. Hernando, who gave a very inspiring opening remarks; senior faculty members of the English Department; teachers from CED, Related Studies Department from SET, from various schools in the MSU System and other private schools; and students from the English 120 course- Current Trends, Approaches and Issues in English Language Teaching in the classes of Professors Venus Parmisana, Ma. Theresa Villabona and Lynnie De Ocampo.

Prof. Maria Theresa Panzo, also a new faculty, served as the Master of Ceremonies. In a lighthearted mood, Chairperson Nancy Q. Echavez gave the welcome remarks. The different committee members put all efforts to deliver another fruitful endeavor – such an added success story for the English Department.