It is evident that even students had already English subjects in the primary and secondary years, some of them are afraid to use the English language in the classroom in the tertiary level. They find difficulty in expressing themselves using the said language because of several factors. This study focuses on helping the students face their fear in public speaking, which interferes their oral communication skills. The teacher-researcher introduced an intervention called Popsispeak. This study utilized a one-shot case study. A total of 28 students of Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges who were enrolled in the class of the teacher-researcher for the A.Y. 2017-2018 2nd semester served as the respondents of the study. T-test for Dependent Samples was used to determine the significant difference between the pre-test and post-test results of the students' Personal Report of Public Speaking Anxiety (PRPSA) devised by McCroskey. The same statistical tool was also used in determining the level of oral communication skills of the students before and after the intervention. Pearson's Correlation was used in determining the relationship between public speaking anxiety and oral communication skills. Also, thematic analysis was utilized in grouping the responses of the students regarding their experiences in the intervention activity. It was found out that Popsispeak is an effective intervention in helping students elevate their oral communication skills and reduce their public speaking anxiety.

This paper explores possible scenarios for the Research Culture of Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges (CSPC), to be known as Polytechnic State University of Bicol (PSUB). The paper utilized Jim Dator’s four archetypes of alternative futures to construct PSUB’s Research Culture possible scenarios by 2030. This paper highlights the assumption that the research culture in PSUB is of world class quality and all of its faculty members are actively involved in research, its disciplined, collapsed, transformative, or business as usual scenarios. Four plausible scenarios have surfaced in this paper: Progressive Research Culture, Lax and Deficit Research Culture, Sophisticated Research Culture, and Transformative Research Culture. The article explored areas for a preferred future by 2030. It requires multiple drivers along faculty, students, administration and community for a better research culture. This study proved to be useful in crafting and anticipating the future scenarios of PSUB’s research culture. Preliminary as it may, this study highlighted important building blocks of the four future scenarios. Dator’s framework was proved to be very useful in developing the four scenarios, the use of other future study tools will further amplify plausible scenarios for the Polytechnic State University of Bicol.

Regardless of the profession, everyone should possess good communication skills in different contexts. Although scholars have contributed studies showing the communication anxieties and proficiencies of speakers to different languages, there are limited studies that deal with the educators’ context. To add contribution to this field, the researcher utilized a correlational research design to determine the relationship between the educators' oral communication skills and speaking anxiety. The study used the frameworks of Pontillas (2020) and McCroskey (1977). The researcher chose Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges as the locale of the study and utilized 25 teacher-participants from the different departments of the College. The participants underwent an impromptu speaking activity to determine their oral communication skills’ level. They filled out the Personal Report of Public Speaking Anxiety (PRPSA) test developed by McCroskey (1970) to assess their perceived speaking anxiety. The two variables' results were correlated using Pearson’s Moment of Correlation and found a significant correlation between the two variables. Environmental factors, personal experiences, and exposure were factors determined by the researcher affecting their speaking skills and anxiety. The researchers recommend that the institution should implement intervention programs for educators to improve their oral communication skills. Furthermore, Higher Education Institutions offering Education undergraduate programs should add additional communication courses to the curriculum.

Filipino educators are known for their remarkable traits in the teaching profession here and abroad. One of the most in-demand fields is English teachers. Studies have shown that non-native speakers have high regard for Filipino teachers in ESL/EFL schools. Because of the availability of technology in today’s time, Filipino teachers do not need to go abroad to teach international students. This study utilized a single-case research method with a single participant who has been in the online industry for almost eight years now. Teacher John of Company A shared his experience highlighting the opportunities and challenges he encountered as a home-based online teacher. The study is guided with constructivism as the main framework of the study and thematic analysis to generate the themes of the data. The themes identified include: background of the participant; the application process; adjustment and investment to the company; handling a class; company rules and regulations; personal and professional development. The findings of the study showed that the opportunities and challenges faced by online teachers paved the way for their personal and professional development. The researcher recommended that other researchers could explore factors affecting the computer-mediated set-up of English language teaching.

Everyone has lost their footing due to the pandemic. The academic community was unprepared, leaving both professors and students bewildered and without a sense of direction. The goal at the time was to overcome the calamity of educational discontinuity. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 – Education goal aims “to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all” relative to this SDG and the surge of the pandemic, digital divide become prominent, altering the course of educational landscape in all levels across public and private institutions. In the Bicol region, education was delivered in many various forms and variability, predicting the future through strategic foresight could propel the region to a transformed future. This paper discusses in detail the status of education in the region and the possible scenarios using Jim Dator’s Future Scenario Archetypes, Causal Layered Analysis and through Scenario Planning Plus. Four plausible scenarios have surfaced in this paper: STUG-nation of Education, Unstable and Disarray of Educational elements, Flowing-restrained Education, and ORAGON Education. It requires multiple drivers as examined through the PESTEL that includes political, economic, social, technological, environmental, legal aspects. This study proved useful in crafting and anticipating the future scenarios of Bicol Region’s education. Preliminary as it may, this study highlighted important building blocks of future scenarios through foresight methods. Dator’s framework was proved to be very useful in developing the four scenarios, the use of other future study tools will further amplify plausible scenarios for the education of Bicol region and beyond.