Turks and Caicos teachers learn phonics techniques for teaching

(July 5, 2012) – More than 50 elementary school teachers from the Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI) were exposed to techniques, meant to improve their teaching practices, at a three-day Jolly Phonics and Jolly Grammar Seminar hosted by the Sandals Foundation.

Jolly Phonics and Jolly Grammar are two Jolly Learning programmes used to develop literacy in schools. Jolly professional trainers, Deb Bible and Barbara Malinger, who are based in the United States, chaired the event that was attended by a group of more than 50 teachers. The TCI-based teachers work with children at the kindergarten, grade one and grade two levels in local schools. They are expected to benefit from the intensive phonics program designed to teach children how to read and write.

The seminar, held July 2-4, which provided training in synthetic phonics – the method of learning the sounds of each letter in the alphabet and reading words by blending these sounds – also included presentations from several teachers in attendance.

Rachel Taylor of Turks and Caicos’ Enid Capron Primary noted: “We are always looking for ways to improve literacy in the schools across the Turks & Caicos Islands, which is why we were keen on inviting the Jolly phonics/Jolly Grammar representatives to host this seminar and ensure that our teachers are well-equipped with the knowledge and skills to deliver the program effectively.

“We are grateful that our sponsor, the Sandals Foundation, was able to host this primary school workshop,” Taylor continued.

Jolly professional trainers are experienced teachers who have applied the phonics method in their teaching practices. They have reportedly achieved excellent results with the program, and are keen to help others do the same.

Deb Bible, expressed her excitement at being able to share the programme with Turks and Caicos teachers and noted that the teachers involved in the seminar should have a firm grasp on the teaching method, in time for the upcoming school year.

Public Relations Manager of Beaches Turks and Caicos, Elanor Finfin Krzanowski, represented the Sandals Foundation at the event. She worked alongside Rachel Taylor, and Dara Thomas of Ianthe Pratt Primary in executing the seminar.

“This is the Sandals Foundation’s way of ensuring that the Government schools reach their full potential and teachers receive the best available training,” Finfin Krzanowski said. “We are happy we were able to host this three day Jolly Phonics and Jolly Grammar event.”

In addition to hosting the seminar, the Sandals Foundation assisted with the purchasing all of the Jolly Phonics and Jolly Grammar materials for a Foundation-adopted school, Enid Capron Primary’s 2012-2013 academic year.