VEN: Volunteer Educational Network

VEN often needs volunteers to help with workshops or other programs. We do not charge any application fee, however we do require that potential volunteers tell us about their professional qualifications or experience.

Download this form and return it to get started: VEN application form

What kind of volunteers participate in the workshops?Although VEN organizes professional development workshops, we are looking for all kinds of people who might be interested in getting involved with the group.
Previous experience in development-style workshops as well as other kinds of volunteer work are a plus. We are also looking for people who are willing to help teachers in Southeast Asia develop themselves as professionals.

Have a look at the list below and see if there is an area (or areas) that interests you.

1) Giving a presentation:
You could give a presentation on a topic that you feel is useful, appropriate or practical for teachers in rural areas of Thailand. Duration of previous presentations have ranged from 45 to 120 minutes and have included topics on learning how to learn, reading strategies, listening skills, etc.

2) Workshop
This is a more practical, ‘hands-on’ approach that will offer local teachers the chance to exchange ideas, materials and opinions on teaching. The duration of these slots go from 90 to 180 minutes and topics that have been previously covered include: vocabulary development, student self-assessment, adapting textbooks to suit your students; using the Internet as a learning resource, story-telling in the classroom, authentic materials, songs, games, etc.

3) Networking
This is for volunteers who would be interested in helping local teachers getting involved in the setting up and maintaining of local professional development groups, running a newsletter, organising future conferences, etc.

4) Language support
Many of the local teachers get little or no chance to practise their English. Some just wish to brush up on their speaking skills, while others are looking for more structured lessons and will seek help with reading, writing, grammar or pronounciation activities.

If you think you could help out in some way please
Contact@vensite.org for more details on the next workshop.
Thank you

UPDATE: This was a great event and we hope to have one again soon. Thanks to both Pauls - for leading the tasting and hosting the event - as well as everyone who attended!

Thank you.

A wine tasting event to raise funds for VEN will take place on Sunday, May 22nd at Shimokitazawa’s Heaven’s Door starting at 4:30. (Thanks for use of the venue, Paul!) The delightful and ever-knowledgeable Mr. Paul Knighton will be the compere for the afternoon and his theme for the day will focus on wines which have aged gracefully. The entry price is 5.000 yen and includes fine wine, light food, and good company. Of course, all proceeds will go to support VEN.

LaoTESOL Report

March 17th -18th 2005. Vientiane College, Lao PDR

By Nicole White

The 6th annual LaoTESOL conference was held at the Vientiane College in the Lao PDR, March 17th and 18th, 2005. This is the largest and most important annual training event for English teachers in Laos bringing together hundreds of teachers from provinces throughout the Lao PDR.

VEN sponsored 6 teachers from Surin province in North-eastern Thailand, where we have been conducting teacher professional development workshops for the past 3 years. The teachers in attendance from Surin were Chatchai Chumnum, (teacher supervisor, Surin Educational Service Area Office, Zone 1, Surin, Thailand), talking about Learning Styles, and the World Map project with Siriwan Rammana,; Theeranath Meesith presenting Concentrated Language Encounters (CLE); Usa Kakandee, presenting teaching English through stories; Aree Jujuieam, presenting English Project Work and Suraneebhorn Jongiairaksa presenting Games to help your students read.

Continue reading ‘Nicole White Reports on LaoTESOL 2005′

Six teachers from past VEN workshops in Surin, Thailand attended LaoTESOL 2005 in Vientiane, Lao PDR. Each teacher presented at the conference, but also reported on the conference to teachers in their home educational area. Spreading and multiplying the benefits of workshop and conference attendance is one of the primary goals for VEN in Northeast Thailand.

Three reports from teachers are now available for downloads as .pdf files:

• LaoTESOL Report Aree Jujuieam
• LaoTESOL Report Chatchai Chumnum
• LaoTESOL Report Siriwan Rummana

LaoTESOL was a great professional development experience for all involved. By sponsoring these teachers to attend the conference, VEN was able to assist local teachers in sharing the development experience with their peers.

VEN and the local education administration in Surin Province have finalized the list of presenters to be sponsored by VEN at LaoTESOL in 2005.

These Thai educators have all participated in previous VEN workshops and are now taking another step in professional development by presenting at the international teaching professionals’ conference LaoTESOL 2005 in Vientiane, Lao PDR.

• Suraneeporn Jongjairak
• Siriwan Ramana - World Map Project
• Miss Theeranarth Meesith - Teaching English Through Concentrated Language Encounters
• Usa Kakarndee
• Aree Jujui Iam - English Project Work
• Chatchai Chumnum - Learning Styles

If you would like to know more about their presentations before the conference, please download their proposals and abstracts here:

• Chatchai Chumnum’s LaoTESOL Presentation Outline
• Theeranath Meesith’s LaoTESOL Outline

If you are attending LaoTESOL, please consider attending these presentations from experienced teaching professionals and VEN workshop participants. All VEN sponsored presenters will return to Surin for a follow-up session to build on the experience of LaoTESOL and bring the benefits of the conference back to their co-workers.

Help VEN support professional development at Lao TESOL 2005

Continuing with our commitment to aid professional development, VEN is collaborating with the Surin Educational Board to send a group of local English teachers to present at the upcoming LaoTESOL conference: Encouraging Change in ELT, in Vientiane from March 16-18th 2005.
Continue reading ‘VEN Goes to LaoTESOL 2005′

VEN often needs volunteers to help with workshops or other programs. We do not charge any application fee, however we do require that potential volunteers tell us about their professional qualifications or experience.

Download this form and return it to get started: VEN application form

Volunteering for VEN is a safe and fun activity. However, VEN cannot assume any liability for illness or injury you may experience while you are volunteering. Please make sure to arrange medical and travel insurance before attending any VEN activities.

Please submit this form VEN Release Form.

Use this handy pdf file to promote VEN.

What is VEN? 2 page pdf handout for easy printing

Please just download, print, copy, and distribute. It is that easy. Plan ahead and bring some handouts to conferences, school, or meetings of like-minded organizations.

Thanks