TACLOBAN CITY – Two American educators have joined the faculties of two state universities in Leyte as part of a 10-month initiative led by the United States’ Department of States Regional English Language Office (RELO).
The program, established in 1969, seeks to enhance English language proficiency in partner countries such as the Philippines.
This year, three English Language Fellows were deployed to the Philippines, with two assigned to Leyte.
Emily Box, from Utah, is currently teaching at Leyte Normal University (LNU) in Tacloban City, while Maureen Rooney, a native of Texas, is based at Visayas State University (VSU) in Baybay City. The third fellow has been assigned to Bohol.
Box, who holds a Master’s degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Utah and brings over 30 years of teaching experience, expressed her enthusiasm for working with Filipino students.
“Many students here are curious about the world and eager to learn from different perspectives. While travel opportunities may be limited, having someone come to the university to share experiences can greatly broaden their horizons,” she said during a November 11 interview.
Rooney, who also has over three decades of experience teaching English, highlighted her students’ eagerness to engage and communicate.
“It’s inspiring to see students breaking down language barriers by speaking English fluently and connecting with a native speaker. Their enthusiasm makes teaching a joy,” she noted.
In some instances, Rooney invited her 20-year-old college-attending son to join her VSU class online, allowing her students to ask questions about the life of a college student in the United States.
Prior to her current role, Rooney taught in Taiwan at National Sun Yat-sen University and Kaohsiung Medical University, also as an English language fellow.
In addition to their regular English proficiency classes, which meet twice weekly and for one hour and 30 minutes, both educators have immersed themselves in local culture and community life, further enriching their experiences in Leyte.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to collaborate with the community, learn about its culture, and build meaningful relationships,” Box added.
The RELO program extends beyond classroom teaching, supporting curriculum and materials development, teacher training, and professional development initiatives.
Across the Asia-Pacific region, RELO operates in countries such as Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Brunei, and Papua New Guinea. Collaborating with ministries, educational institutions, and various partners, the program aims to strengthen mutual understanding between the United States and its partner countries.
Since its inception, the English Language Fellow Program has deployed more than 1,000 fellows across 80 countries.
In the Philippines, 22 fellows have partnered with local institutions since 2004, fostering educational and cultural exchange.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
