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Perspectives on Teaching English in Burma Today and Yesterday

Abstract Because of the recent military governmental takeover of Burma (Myanmar) and the university student uprisings, few teachers of English outside of Burma have access to information about conditions for English teachers in Burma. The purpose of this article is to raise awareness of the problems faced by English teachers and students on all levels in Burma. The following report is based on interview data from current and former English teachers and students that I gathered during a trip to Burma several years ago. Several of the interviewees contrast the teaching of English during their student school days with the situation today faced by English teachers in public schools or private schools. Teaching methods and teacher development methods are also addressed in the interviews. From the interviews and my observations, it is evident that some problems for English teaching in Burma are similar to those occurring in other countries but that some problems are specific to Burma and are very serious.