Basco, Batanes, January 28, 2026—From January 19 to 20, the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines, through its Regional English Language Office, equipped 50 high school teachers from across Batanes with innovative American teaching approaches that integrate artificial intelligence (AI), critical thinking, and communication skills.

Led by two English Language Fellows who are American experts from the U.S. Department of State’s English Language Fellows program, the “Engaging Learners: Communication, Criticality, and the Future of Instruction” workshop highlighted the strong academic partnership between the United States and the Philippines as the two nations celebrate 80 years of diplomatic relations in 2026. 

“The U.S. Embassy is proud to invest in the educators of Batanes by sharing American excellence in education through expert facilitators and world-class resources,” said U.S. Embassy Regional English Language Officer Jeff McIlvenna.  “By expanding their teaching methods, Batanes educators are ensuring that the next generation of Ivatans are well-prepared to enter the workforce—positioning the province for greater international collaboration and as strong future partners of American companies.”

“We are grateful to the U.S. Embassy for this multidisciplinary approach,” said Department of Education Senior Program Supervisor Kym Clyde H. Moro.  “The program provided our teachers with practical tools that will greatly improve how our students learn and communicate.  This is a meaningful investment in our teachers and the future of education in Batanes.”

Participants also developed “action projects” that integrate real-world data and hands-on learning, including lessons on Ivatan stone houses to promote community resilience, debates on future investment in Batanes using economic data, and cultural exchange activities comparing U.S. and Philippine traditions using American AI tools.  These projects ensure classroom learning is directly connected to local community challenges.  

The Regional English Language Office team also shared information on additional Embassy programming resources, which empower participants through first-hand exposure to American best practices.  By investing in education and innovation, the United States and the Philippines continue to work together to make both countries more prosperous.
 

Batac, Ilocos Norte, November 19, 2025—Three American experts from the U.S. Department of State’s English Language Fellows program trained 40 pre-service teachers from across the Philippines in Project-Based Learning, or PBL, a teaching method widely adopted in the United States where students learn by focusing on real-world problem-solving through hands-on projects. 

Organized by the U.S. Embassy in Manila’s Regional English Language Office (RELO) and Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) from October 22 to 26 in Batac, Ilocos Norte, the “Moving Ideas to Impact: A Project-Based Learning Design Workshop” promoted PBL as a student-centered pedagogical approach rooted in the American educational philosophy that education must be active and connected to real life.

By focusing on practical methodologies drawn from American educational standards, the workshop equipped the next generation of Filipino educators with knowledge and tools to shift from traditional, lecture-based instruction to leading innovative, student-centered classrooms that encourage research, analysis, creativity, collaboration, and curiosity at a young age.

“The success of this workshop is a clear demonstration of our nations’ shared dedication to building educational excellence,” said U.S. Embassy RELO Officer Jeff McIlvenna.  “By investing in these 40 pre-service teachers, we are strengthening our bilateral ties and ensuring that American innovations in education, like PBL, will multiply across Filipino classrooms and help improve learning among young Filipinos.”

By the end of the workshop, each participant crafted a Community-Connected PBL Blueprint—a ready-to-implement unit plan designed to address a local challenge or opportunity within their home communities. “Each participant leaves as a ‘multiplier of knowledge’ who will shape their own institutions, preparing the next generation to be globally competitive and community-engaged citizens,” McIlvenna added.  “This focus on immediate, tangible impact ensures the teachers’ newly acquired skills are applied directly to address needs in the Philippine educational system and the local community.” This initiative reinforces the enduring partnership between the United States and the Philippines ahead of the 80th anniversary of U.S.-Philippine bilateral relations and the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence in 2026.  U.S. English language programs emphasize education as a critical pillar of cooperation and innovation through the development of English language learning and effective communication skills in the next generation of educators and their students.   

Mactan, Cebu, September 30, 2025—On September 26 and 27, the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines’ Regional English Language Office (RELO) hosted a two-day intensive training in Mactan, Cebu, to equip 48 educators from various regions across the Philippines with innovative strategies for integrating artificial intelligence (AI) in their classrooms. 

This professional development was facilitated by three American English Language Fellows—Laura Roach, Maryann Miller, and Michael Schapiro.  These Fellows are highly-qualified U.S. TESOL professionals selected by the U.S. Department of State for 10-month assignments abroad to support public diplomacy and educational capacity building. 

The workshop, entitled “The Educator’s Edge: Mastering Literacy, AI, and Critical Thought,” focused on creating an integrated learning module that guides learners from basic language skills to critical thinking skills.  This module will serve as a tool for the educators to utilize in their own classrooms and share with their colleagues, creating a multiplier effect in enriched pedagogical practices. 

The training also provided hands-on experience to implement American-developed instructional technology.  Educators were given a showcase and practical experience with a half-dozen U.S. AI/EdTech tools designed to personalize learning and increase classroom efficiency.  These tools enable teachers to streamline tasks like content creation, assessment, and differentiation, allowing them to focus more on student interaction and critical thought development. 

U.S. Embassy Regional English Language Officer Jeff McIlvenna framed the initiative as an investment in a critical bilateral relationship.  “The paradigm of this activity was specifically designed by our American trainers for the professional development of Filipino educators,” he said.  “This program is a concrete example of the robust bilateral cooperation and shared values between the United States and the Philippines, providing revolutionary techniques, and showcasing American excellence in English teaching in the Philippines.” 

The program is the latest in a series of initiatives by the U.S. Embassy’s RELO to support education in the Philippines.  American English Language Fellows are currently teaching and assisting in projects at Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Southern Leyte State University, and Mariano Marcos State University, actively building long-term collaborations in education. 

Davao City, June 9, 2025—On June 4 and 5, the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines’ Regional English Language Office (RELO) and the Philippine Department of Education (DepEd) Davao City Division conducted an intensive workshop that trained forty newly hired teachers under DepEd’s Alternative Learning System (ALS).

Facilitated by two American trainers from the U.S. Department of State’s English Language Specialist Program, this is the first ALS workshop supported by the United States in Davao City.

The activity entitled “Embracing Student-centered Learning: Art as Expression” provided participants with knowledge and tools to integrate innovative, hands-on teaching in ALS curricula, ensuring that students are active participants in the learning process.  The workshop included teaching demonstrations, an introduction to creating sustainable and engaging teaching projects, and peer learning.

The American trainers also introduced free English language teaching resources from the U.S. government that will help enhance curriculum development and facilitate engaging classroom activities.

“The insights and strategies shared by our American teacher trainers are designed to significantly enhance the learning experience for ALS students,” U.S. Embassy Regional English Language Officer Jeff McIlvenna said.  “This initiative underscores the United States’ direct investment in the professional development of Filipino educators, reinforcing our shared dedication to expanding access to quality education and fostering human potential across the Philippines.”

“DepEd’s ALS champions inclusivity by reaching the lost, the least, and the last,” DepEd Davao City Division superintendent Reynante Solitario said.  “Supporting ALS teachers is vital so they can teach better and ensure that every learner, regardless of circumstance, is embraced and given a chance to thrive.”

ALS is a parallel learning system in the Philippines which provides a vital pathway to basic education for out-of-school youth and adults who lack access to formal schooling due to socioeconomic or geographical barriers.

The U.S. Embassy’s RELO is committed to supporting Philippine education through its English Language Specialist Program.  Previous initiatives include an early literacy project for K-7 teachers in Negros Occidental, which improved reading scores among students through intensive teacher training and community volunteer support in 2024.  Last year, RELO hosted an English proficiency training for the Philippine Army in Tarlac.

RELO also supports long-term educational partnerships.  Three American English Language Fellows are concluding their academic year with three universities in Bohol and Leyte, where they led preservice training for future teachers.  RELO is also in the process of establishing five new two-year English Access Scholarship Programs around the Philippines, which will provide deserving teenagers with intensive English language instruction and cultural immersion to boost their educational and career opportunities.

The Regional English Language Office (RELO) at the U.S. Embassy in Manila is pleased to invite proposals from educational institutions and non-governmental organizations to provide logistical support for an English Access Microscholarship Program Mindanao Teacher Training project in Manila from May 8 – May 19, 2023. Applications should be submitted no later than 11:59 pm January 20, 2023. 

Funding Amount: Up to $50,000 
Opening Date: December 16, 2022 
Closing Date: Midnight, January 20, 2023 
Program: English Access Microscholarship  

Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy 
1201 Roxas Blvd. 
Ermita, Manila, 1000 
Metro Manila, Philippines 

E-mail: RELOManila@state.gov

Background:

In order to build stronger cultural links between the U.S. and host countries around the globe, the U.S. Department of State created the English Access Microscholarship Program (Access) in 2004.  Access provides youth from economically disadvantaged communities with English language and other global citizenship skills that improve educational and employment prospects, build stronger self-esteem, and provide a deeper multi-cultural understanding of American values.  The program serves as a viable educational model for communities with leadership, creative and critical thinking, information technology, and civic outreach components.  Additionally, Access provides alumni and teacher training programs that reinforce this educational model.  Since its inception in 2004, students and teachers in more than 84 countries have participated in the Access Program.

Project description: 

The goal of the Access Mindanao Teacher Training project is to provide 5-day pedagogical workshops to talented high school and university English teachers from Mindanao.  These workshops, which will take place in Manila, are designed to enhance overall English language teaching skills and create a stronger Philippine-U.S. cross-cultural understanding.  Potential pedagogical skills to be taught include critical and creative thinking, leadership, information technology, civic outreach, and media literacy. 

A successful proposal for the logistical support of this teacher training project will meet the following requirements: 

1. Location:
   • The program will be implemented at a hotel in Metro Manila.  Applicant will identify hotel and budget accordingly. 
   • A priority hotel will be one that serves halal food and/or allows outside halal catering to be consumed on the premises.
2. Budget:
   • Program budget cannot exceed $50,000.
   • The cost of the program should be itemized in the budget into the following categories:
     • Travel (roundtrip transportation between Mindanao and Manila for 60 participants – 30 participants coming from cities and 30 participants coming remote areas)
     • Accommodations (double-occupancy accommodations: Week 1 – 15 rooms from Sunday to Saturday for 30 participants, Week 2 – 15 rooms from Sunday to Saturday for 30 participants)
     • Food and Beverages (Week 1 – 30 people need halal meals: breakfast, lunch, and AM/PM snacks from Monday to Friday; dinner meal vouchers for Sunday to Saturday, Week 2 – 30 people need halal meals: breakfast, lunch, and AM/PM snacks from Monday to Friday; dinner meal vouchers for Sunday to Saturday,)
     • Other costs (workshop room rental, including data projector and screen, for 10 days)
     • Administration (including salaries and wages, benefits, travel, etc.)
3. Program Timeline:

Application:

Interested providers are invited to submit their statement of interest and budget template to RELOManila@state.gov via email no later than 11:59 P.M., January 20, 2023. Proposals may be submitted by Philippine or U.S.-based non-profit organizations.

Please download the budget template here: bit.ly/accessTT2023

D-U-N-S Number Requirement: U.S. Federal Government contractors and assistance awardees are required to have a D-U-N-S Number. For information on how to obtain a D-U-N-S Number, see: http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/index.jsp

Successful proposals will be selected on a competitive basis by a selection panel at the Embassy.

Download the PDF version of this notice here.

U.S. Embassy in the Philippines Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Heather Variava joins Philippine Department of Education Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction Diosdado San Antonio, DepEd Bureau of Learning Delivery-Teaching and Learning Division Chief Rosalina Villaneza, and American English language specialists Dr. Elaine Gallagher, Professor Ann Mayeda, and Dr. Constance Dziombak at the closing ceremony of the six-week “Integrated Language Learning in Early Childhood: Focus on Literacy and Numeracy” webinar series.

Manila, April 27, 2022—Today, the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines and the Philippine Department of Education (DepEd) culminated the six-week webinar training series on “Integrated Language Learning in Early Childhood: Focus on Literacy and Numeracy” that provided K-3 teachers and school heads with guidance, methodology, new techniques, ideas, instructional materials, and resources to assist them in addressing the needs and concerns of K-3 learners. 

Approximately 3,000 K-3 teachers and school heads from Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao participated in the live Zoom sessions, and the series had a Facebook reach of over 700,000 people. 

“The success of this webinar is a testament to the importance of early learning and to the great partnership between the U.S. Embassy and DepEd,” U.S. Embassy in the Philippines Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Heather Variava said.  “One of the most important things we do together as nations is expand opportunities for education, employment, and national development.”

This was the third collaboration between the U.S. Embassy and DepEd since the pandemic. 

“With the aggressive capacity building initiatives we have been undertaking—supported by partners like the U.S. Embassy—I am confident that the very elusive quest for high-quality learning outcomes will become a reality, of course, starting with early grades learners fully literate and numerate,” said DepEd Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction Diosdado San Antonio. 

The U.S. Embassy’s team of three American English language specialists—Dr. Elaine Gallagher, Dr. Constance Dziombak, and Professor Ann Mayeda—worked with the team from DepEd’s Teaching and Learning Division, Bureau of Learning Delivery in developing the course to meet the specific needs of Filipino K-3 teachers and learners. 

The virtual series that was launched the week of March 21 was facilitated by the three American English language specialists who also developed an on-demand resource library which will be used by the teachers who participated in the series when they cascade the learnings through the Learning Action Cells to their colleagues in their respective local areas.  This collaboration between the U.S. Embassy and DepEd will ultimately benefit millions of K-3 learners in the country. 

U.S. Embassy in the Philippines officials Public Affairs Counselor John Groch and Regional English Language Officer Carleen Velez flank Department of Education Undersecretary Diosdado San Antonio at the launch of the March 21 to April 27 webinar series facilitated by three American English language specialists.

Manila, March 21, 2022—Today, the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines and the Philippine Department of Education (DepEd) launched a new six-week virtual webinar training series on “Integrated Language Learning in Early Childhood: Focus on Literacy and Numeracy” to further support DepEd teachers and school heads amid the pandemic.

Approximately 3,000 DepEd teachers and supervisors from Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao are expected to participate in the series, which will run through the week of April 25.

The U.S. Embassy, U.S. Department of State’s Office of English Language Programs, DepEd’s Teaching and Learning Division, and Bureau of Learning Delivery co-developed the course curriculum to meet the specific needs of K-3 teachers and learners in the Philippines during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.  The course will provide guidance, methodology, and instructional materials and resources to English teachers via a team of three American English language specialists, who will lead the virtual sessions.

“This morning, we are launching an important project, the third webinar series collaboration between the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines and the DepEd since the pandemic.  I would like to extend my gratitude for this partnership to our program partners from DepEd, led by Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction Diosdado San Antonio,” said Public Affairs Counselor John Groch.

DepEd Undersecretary San Antonio lauded the webinar series for its role in preparing Philippine educators for the future.  “We are glad to collaborate with the English Language Office of the U.S. Embassy in undertaking a very significant and noble initiative relative to our efforts in creating 21st-century learners who possess 21st-century skills,” he said.

Once the course is completed, teachers and school heads will share what they learned with other teachers in their local areas for implementation with K-3 learners.  As part of this webinar series, educators will have access to an on-demand resource library that includes a viewing guide, activities, and discussion questions for local learning communities.

The first six-week webinar series for DepEd teachers and administrators, “Bridging the Distance Together,” took place from September 14 to October 21, 2020 and provided training on flexible learning to more than 1,600 teachers and reached 3.7 million viewers on Facebook.  Approximately 3,000 teachers and supervisors attended the second six-week series on “Teaching Grammar Communicatively in the Philippines” from March 22 to May 6, 2021 that had a Facebook reach of over 1.5 million.

All American English online announcements are posted on our Facebook page or on the American English for Educators Facebook page.  You may also check out the list of American English MOOCs for English Language Learners and American English E-Teacher MOOCs.

The Regional English Language Office (RELO) coordinates the distribution of U.S. government-produced American English resources.  Its flagship publication, the quarterly English Teaching Forum, is a response to a need for theoretical and practical solutions and suggestions in the English Language Teaching (ELT) field.  New and experienced authors are encouraged to contribute their articles.  Click here to read the Forum article submission guidelines.  The Office also collaborates with local authors to create region-specific material that addresses key ELT and cross-cultural issues.

You can also check out English language learning materials for both learners and teachers at the American English at State Facebook page.

For American English online announcements on programs and resources:

Regional English Language Office Manila, U.S. Embassy in the Philippines: www.facebook.com/RELOManila

The Regional English Language Office (RELO) supports English language teaching and learning programs including the English Access Microscholarship Program, English Language Fellow Program, English Language Specialist Program, American English (AE) E-Teacher Program, American English Live Webinar Series, and Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs).  Programs are done in cooperation with Ministries and Departments of Education, professional teachers’ associations, Fulbright, Peace Corps, public and private universities, and other higher education institutes, among other partners, in order to build a stronger understanding between the peoples of the region and the U.S.

The English Language Fellow Program places highly qualified U.S. English Language Teaching (ELT) professionals in universities, Ministries of Education, and other host institutions throughout the region for 10 months.  Fellows work with host institutions as well as with the local and regional ELT community to create and implement courses, materials, curriculums and training programs that build stronger connections between the host country and the U.S.

The English Language Specialists assist U.S. Embassies in delivering and maintaining quality English language programs overseas and promoting mutual understanding between the U.S. and other countries. U.S. Embassies identify and define the English Language Specialist assignments, which may include teacher training, curriculum and textbook development, or host institution program evaluation. In some cases, digital video conferences or webinars are used to deliver trainings or consultations. Specialist assignments range from 10 working days to three months.

The English Access Microscholarship Program (Access) provides two years of after-school English to academically-gifted, economically-disadvantaged teenagers.  The program emphasizes fluency in English and couples language study with strong cross-cultural, civic, information technology and leadership building components.  All Access sites are strongly encouraged to conduct an “Open Classroom” policy, allowing pre-arranged classroom observations and sharing best practices with area English teachers.

The OPEN Program offers 8-week, online university-level classes to English teaching professionals outside of the United States through the Iowa State University, World Learning, George Mason University, Arizona State University, and the University of Baltimore Maryland County.  Topics include Teaching Grammar Communicatively, Integrating Critical Thinking Skills, Teaching English to Younger Learners, Professional Development for Teacher Trainers, Professional Development for Teacher Trainers, Content-Based Instruction, TESOL Methodology, and Using Technology in the Classroom.  The program is open by nomination only.  Interested English language professionals should contact the Public Affairs section of their local U.S. Embassy.

The American English Live Webinar Series consists of six Facebook live webinar sessions.  Each session is 60 minutes and is held every other Wednesday at 8:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. ET from Washington, D.C. (check https://timeanddate.com for the local time in your region).  Participants may join the live sessions at https://www.Facebook.com/AmericanEnglishforEducators or via Zoom.  Presenters are American English teaching specialists.  Anyone is welcome to attend the live webinar series.

The six online seminars of the series cover a variety of topics intended for teachers of English or future teachers of English around the world.  At the end of each event, participants will have the opportunity to earn a digital badge that verifies their participation.  Viewing group hosts, Public Affairs Offices, and Regional English Language Offices also have the option to issue e-certificates for those who attend four (4) out of six (6) sessions.

Interested participants are encouraged to follow us on the American English for Educators Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanEnglishforEducators to see schedules for and updates about live webinar sessions.

Recordings of the webinar sessions and videos for English language learners and teachers can also be found on https://www.youtube.com/user/StateAmericanEnglish.

The U.S. Department of State sponsors free Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) for English language learners and teachers.

The American English MOOCs for English Language Learners help pre-intermediate, intermediate, and advanced level learners improve their English skills in five major career fields.  Each MOOC is free, self-paced, and five weeks long.  For more information, visit https://americanenglish.state.gov/american-english-moocs.

• English for Media Literacy
• English for STEM Fields
• English for Business and Entrepreneurship
• English for Journalism
• English for Career Development

The American English E-Teacher MOOCs are free 5-week online courses designed for non-native English language teachers and open to an unlimited number of participants.  The program offers both facilitated and self-directed MOOCs.  The program offers several types of MOOCs: Facilitated Teacher Training MOOCs; Self-Paced Teacher Training MOOCs; and Self-Paced English Language Acquisition MOOCs.  For more information, visit https://www.aeeteacher.org/MOOC.

For American English online announcements on programs and resources:

Regional English Language Office Manila, U.S. Embassy in the Philippines: www.facebook.com/RELOManila