MTB MLE teacher-training component that can be incorporated into regular teacher education programmes in established institutions. 10
Until a formal training programme is in place, other options are available and have been proven successful in many parts of the world. Respected individuals who are fluent in the students’ MT can become excellent MTB MLE teachers if they have good teaching and learning materials, good pre-service and in-service training and regular, supportive supervision.
Lessons learned regarding MTB MLE teacher recruitment:
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People recruited as MTB MLE teachers must be fluent speakers of their MT and the official school language.
•• They must have a legible handwriting, on paper and on the chalkboard.
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They must be trusted and respected in their community. Pre-training assessment and practice
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New trainees are tested on their ability to read and write the MT. If necessary, they should have time to( 1) learn their alphabet and spelling system,( 2) practice writing words and sentences neatly and fluently on paper and on the chalkboard,( 3) practice reading stories and other classroom materials aloud and fluently, and( 4) practice using the MT for teaching.
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New trainees are also tested on their ability to understand, speak, read and write the official school language. They need time to practice speaking, reading and writing that language to ensure that they can use it fluently, correctly, and effectively in the classroom.
Essential components of pre-service teacher training
MTB MLE RESOURCE KIT Including the Excluded: Promoting Multilingual Education
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Trainees learn about the MTB MLE curriculum and the importance of helping students achieve the learning outcomes for each subject, each grade.
•• They discuss and practice using theories that underlie effective child-centred teaching. 11
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They learn about and practice the dual focus in language education: helping students learn to speak, read and write accurately and to speak, read and write meaningfully— to communicate and learn.
10 A resource for institutionalizing teacher training can be seen at http:// www. sil. org / sites / default / files / files / institutionalizing _ teacher _ training _ for _ mtb _ mle _ 12-2011. pdf( Note that you must have Adobe Reader to view this document.)
11 Especially important for teachers: Jean Piaget’ s developmental theory, Richard C. Anderson’ s schema theory, Albert Bandura’ s social learning theory and Lev Vygotsky’ s socio-cultural learning theory.
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