Three students from West Visayas State University (WVSU) are set to join the American Language Village (ALV) Immersion Program in Taiwan from January 18 to 27, 2025, marking an exciting new chapter in the university’s international outreach. This immersive camp will be the first major initiative under the newly established Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between WVSU and the ALV.

The selected students will act as teacher assistants, playing a pivotal role in facilitating group activities, supporting language instruction, and assisting with cultural programs integral to the camp’s curriculum. Maria Fe Tianes is a student from the WVSU Himamaylan Campus, enrolled in the School of Education, while Zoe Marie Baaya and Le Gerlaine Mondejar are both 4th-year Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSED) English students from the Main Campus, College of Education (COE).

Accompanying them will be Prof. Edel Carmela S. Subong-Csoka, Director of the International and Local Linkages Office, and Prof. Esperval Cezhar H. Cadiao, College Secretary of the College of Education. Together, this group of students and faculty members will represent WVSU at the renowned camp in Taiwan, which was established in 1992 as the country’s first and only English immersion camp.

For the WVSU delegation, this opportunity goes beyond the teaching skills they will acquire; it is an invaluable experience that will deepen their understanding of global perspectives and prepare them to become more effective educators. As future teachers, the skills and insights they gain at the ALV will be instrumental in helping them teach their students not only English but also important values of global citizenship, cultural awareness, and environmental stewardship.

This immersion program aligns perfectly with WVSU’s commitment to fostering global learning opportunities for its students. By exposing them to international teaching environments and cross-cultural experiences, WVSU is preparing its future educators to take on leadership roles and contribute meaningfully to the ever-changing educational landscape.