BukSU Student Joins US-Funded Service Learning for English Teachers Program

Bukidnon State University (BukSU) student Althea Kate C. Borlasa joined 39 other pre-service and early-career English teachers nationwide in a professional development program on service learning held at Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) in Ilocos Norte from October 23–25, 2025.

Borlasa, a Bachelor of Secondary Education major in English student from the College of Education, attended the Service Learning for English Teachers Program together with faculty member Katrina Faith M. Melig of the Secondary Education Department, who served as her mentor and chaperone.

Supported by international funding, the program selected 40 participants out of 350 applicants from various higher education institutions across the country. It focused on integrating service learning into English language instruction through student-centered methods, cultural immersion, and capacity-building sessions.

The opening of the three-day event included a welcome dinner hosted by MMSU and the English Language Fellows. Participants later joined a series of educational and cultural immersion activities held in Ilocos Norte and Vigan, Ilocos Sur.

During the training, participants observed teaching demonstrations at the MMSU College of Teacher Education. They also visited historical and cultural landmarks such as the National Museum, Calle Crisologo, and Plaza Salcedo, as part of their cross-cultural learning experience.

Interactive workshops led by English Language Fellows Laura Roach, Michael Schapiro, and Maryann Miller focused on Project-Based Learning (PBL), which connects classroom instruction to real-world applications. Participants worked in groups to design PBL units, explored ways to apply authentic assessment using AI tools, and presented their projects during the concluding session.

A Cultural and Socialization Night was also held, where participants presented traditional clothing, regional cuisines, and creative performances representing their local identities.

According to BukSU, Borlasa’s involvement in the program contributes to its initiatives for developing globally competent and community-engaged pre-service teachers. The university said the knowledge and experiences gained through her participation are expected to enhance its English education program and its alignment with 21st-century teaching practices. (Katrina Faith M. Melig, COE-IALU Coordinator)