1. Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program - Philippines
NEEDS ASSESSMENT

2. English Language Proficiency
Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program - Philippines
English Language Proficiency
Oral Proficiency Evaluation
English Placement Test

3. Methodology Evaluation focused on the following: comprehension fluency
Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program - Philippines
Methodology
Evaluation focused on the following:
comprehension
fluency
grammar
vocabulary
idioms
pronunciation
confidence

4. Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program - Philippines
Remarks:
Under each item, the FEs were rated weak, fair, average, good or excellent
For the Placement Test, the FEs were tested on grammar, vocabulary and listening comprehension

5. Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program - Philippines
Recommendations
For FEs at levels 2 and 3, BLC, through their specially designed programs to upgrade their oral and listening skills, can move up to two levels.
For FEs at levels 4 through 8, BLC, through appropriate courses in reading and writing skills appropriate to graduate study, can move up to one level

6. Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program - Philippines
Action taken
The eight FEs at levels 2 and 3 took an intensive 4 – week English language training course.
All FEs underwent a two-week Technical Writing training course

7. Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program - Philippines
Results
For the 8 FEs who took the intensive English, there was a slight improvement in their scores from the pre-test and post-test in writing. However, the impact of the training in raising the reading scores from the pre-test was very minimal
In the overall evaluation of the training course on technical writing, half of the participants rated the entire training course on technical writing in English as good while six trainees (38 percent) assessed it as very good

8. Computer Competency Assessment
Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program - Philippines
Computer Competency Assessment
Microsoft Office Application Tools
Troubleshooting and Basic Computer Operations
Internet Research and Application Facilities

9. Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program - Philippines
Recommendation
The 22 FEs with minimal knowledge of computers will be trained in basic computer operations, Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Internet Applications.

10. Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program - Philippines
Action Taken
A 40-hours computer training spread over two weeks was designed to meet the required computer skills of the 22 FEs.
Result
A good 80 percent of the FEs passed the training course on computer skills. The participants rated the modules on word processing, presentation graphics and introduction to internet as the most applicable to their work and interest. The overall assessment of the training course was very good.

11. Research Needs Assessment
Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program - Philippines
Research Needs Assessment
Methodology:
Questionnaire Survey and Open Forum
background information
research training
research experience
computer literacy
internet use
research needs

12. Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program - Philippines
Recommendations
Research training program should include basics of research, statistical analysis and interpretation, and writing

13. Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program - Philippines
Action taken
The PSSC custom designed a two-week 80-hour training workshop on social research conceptualization and methodologies including recommended research topics..

14. Educational Advising and Counseling
Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program - Philippines
Educational Advising and Counseling
Initial group and individual advising were conducted. FEs who required additional guidance were referred to a specialist in specific field.

15. What worked? English proficiency
Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program - Philippines
What worked?
English proficiency
Grouping of FEs based on levels of proficiency
Custom-designed training course to raise level

16. What worked? Computer training:
Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program - Philippines
What worked?
Computer training:
For FEs with minimal skills, more confidence in using computers for research and presentations

17. What worked? Research methodology:
Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program - Philippines
What worked?
Research methodology:
Presentation of research proposals by FEs to showcase research and technical writing skills

18. Recommendations to improve needs assessment and pre-academic training
Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program - Philippines
Recommendations to improve needs assessment and pre-academic training
Administer the institutional TOEFL as part of needs assessment
English training courses to be conducted before FEs take the TOEFL and IELTS
Customised research training workshop for the social sciences and humanities

19. Recommendations to improve needs assessment and pre-academic training
Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program - Philippines
Recommendations to improve needs assessment and pre-academic training
Intensive course on technical writing
Maximize ties with British Council, PAEF, NGOs involved in research, and academics for educational assessment and advising