Lipscomb's EAP hosts Humphrey Fellow for spring semester
Lacey Klotz |
Lipscomb University has a vision to reach individuals globally and expand its influence.
With a diverse community of nearly 4,500 students representing 43 states, 45 nations and 32 religions, Lipscomb’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program desires to ensure it is an environment where meaningful cultural dialog can take place in a safe, respectful, equitable and honest ways, while transforming the lives of all its diverse students.
Housed under the College of Education, the EAP offers intensive English courses for undergraduate students who need to be equipped with, or to improve, academic English skills.
This year, the EAP is hosting Dr. Soe Than, a professor and head of the methodology department at the Yangon Institute of Education in Myanmar, as a part of the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program.
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the Humphrey Fellowship program is a non-degree program that offers individuals invaluable opportunities for professional development through selected university courses, attending conferences, networking and practical work experiences.
The program provides a basis for lasting ties between US citizens and the fellow while strengthening the global exchange of knowledge and experience. One way the program does this is by encouraging fellows to travel away from their host campus to learn more about American culture and network with American peers.
Fellows are selected based on their potential for leadership and commitment to public service. More than 4,000 individuals have been honored in the program since 1978 and 18 major universities across the U.S. host Humphrey Fellows. 
Soe Than is one of these individuals.
A native of Myanmar, Soe Than, has had over 35 years of teaching experience. Highly devoted to public service, Soe Than has held positions as teacher and headmaster, as well as a curriculum developer in primary, secondary and tertiary intuitions.
His main area of interest as an educator is English Language Teaching, especially in decreasing emphasis on rote memorization and examinations.
Soe Than applied for the Humphrey Fellowship program in 2014, and was chosen to study at Vanderbilt University Peabody College in Nashville, Tennessee, from August 2015 to June 2016.
As a part of his professional affiliation, Soe Than was tasked with finding an internship-like opportunity outside of Vanderbilt University where he could actively contribute to the host organization, undertake specific tasks, establish valuable contacts and attain a more comprehensive understanding and appreciation for the host organization.
While researching local English development programs online, he came across Lipscomb’s EAP program, and reached out to its program director, Todd Beard.
“We are very honored to host Dr. Soe Than this semester,” said Beard. “He has a lot of experience in educational settings in Myanmar and comes with a wealth of knowledge, skills and experience that he contributes to our program.”
During his semester at Lipscomb, Soe Than has been tasked to:
- Participate in the English for Academic Purposes program through teaching and observations
- Observe and research best practices in an ESL teaching program
- Prepare a weekly language lab using technology
- Create a language resource library for students and faculty
- Support EAP students and program on campus
Dr. Soe Than explained that in Myanmar, he does not have access to the same resources including technology, an abundant amount of books and Internet conveniences that universities have in the U.S.
“In Myanmar, we don’t have the same access to technology as universities do in the United States, because the government puts a restriction on the budget,” he said. “Therefore, through my Impact Plan, I am working to improve our English teacher training programs and finding best practices for solutions on how to best educate our teachers and our students.”
Soe Than has prepared three libraries in his professional career and has gone through Lipscomb’s EAP library to discover which resources have worked best in that program.
He must also come up with practical ways to distribute these resources to students at the Yangon Institute of Education, so teachers and students can use the textbook at the same time, a problem that often surfaces.
Since January, Soe Than has observed and participated in several classes in the program including reading and writing courses taught by Lipscomb’s 
Adam Abood and Lacey Batey.
“Dr. Soe Than has a very natural interaction with the students, and has also been encouraging to me as we talk about different programs, as well as what works and doesn’t work,” said Beard. “Mr. Abood has had a good time having him in his class, talking about intricacies of language, programming, methodology and pedagogy.”
Soe Than said he believes that if the teachers understand and are good at the English language, then their students will be good too. He knows that because higher education in Myanmar uses textbooks that are written in English, it is also important to teach English to the undergraduate students as well.
Through the Humphrey Fellowship opportunity, Soe Than is learning how to implement these solutions in Myanmar.
“Dr. Soe Than has been an asset to the EAP,” said Beard. “He has a true spirit of learning, he wants to learn and grow professionally. Through observing what we do as an extensive English language program, he will be able to take that information back to Myanmar for the betterment of the Yangon Institute of Education and beyond.”