I just came from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Region 1 Office in San Fernando City, La Union. We, the next batch of trainers for Project SPELL (Strengthening Proficiency of English Language Learners), sat down together today to formalize things for the next training scheduled from April 20-26, 2006 in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.

Dr. Evelyn Pascua, CHED Region 1 Director, spent time with us as we strategize to make this upcoming training a success. We are thankful that we have been tapped by CHED RO1 to be its partners in its desire to improve the English language proficiency of the English teachers in higher education. Since college English teachers are the last English language mentors of students going to their professional life, CHED is making sure that these English teachers become able and equipped in their craft. The students’ remaining curricular encounter with the English language should be greatly emphasized because many students don’t seem to realize the valuable role of English proficiency in the world of work.

On cue are thirty (30) trainees from several higher education institutions (HEIs) in the four provinces of Region 1 namely, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos sur, La Union and Pangasinan.