LOS BAÑOS, Philippines — The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), in partnership with the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) College of Development Communication (CDC), has piloted the YES! (Your English Sidekick) Micro credential, an online learning initiative designed to strengthen the English language proficiency of SEARCA scholars.
The YES! Micro credential builds on SEARCA's long standing language support initiatives, particularly the Basic English Course, which previously provided month long, face to face training to incoming scholars as part of their onboarding before deployment to their study posts. Over time, changing scholar profiles resulted in fewer participants requiring in person instruction. In addition, increasingly frequent typhoons and other weather related disruptions often affected the program's traditional July schedule in Los Baños.
"These developments highlighted the need for a more flexible and accessible language support program that does not require scholars to travel," SEARCA said. "The YES! Micro credential was developed to respond to this need while maintaining strong instructional quality."
Delivered through an online learning environment, the YES! Micro credential is a structured, competency based program that supports scholars in building practical academic communication skills. The program includes focused modules on basic English grammar, academic reading, and academic writing, providing learners with a guided yet flexible pathway toward academic success.
Participants access course guides, announcements, learning materials, activities, and assessments through a learning management system. All quizzes, assignments, and feedback forms are completed and submitted online, allowing centralized monitoring of learning progress and the timely provision of feedback.
To accommodate diverse learning preferences and varying levels of internet connectivity, each module is offered in three formats: structured Moodle lessons, downloadable PDF modules for offline study, and video lectures. While the materials are available in multiple formats, Moodle serves as the official platform for course completion and assessment.
SEARCA and UPLB CDC conducted two pilot runs of the YES! Micro credential in early 2026. The first run, held from 27 January to 19 February, involved SEARCA scholars. The second run, conducted from 18 to 28 February, engaged 14 Bachelor of Science in Development Communication students from UPLB. With their background in distance learning and instructional design, the students provided valuable insights on platform usability, instructional clarity, and overall learner experience.
Feedback from both pilot runs was generally positive. Participants found the modules clear, relevant, and effective in improving their understanding of key concepts and enhancing practical language skills. They also reported that the Moodle platform was accessible and easy to navigate, contributing to a positive learning experience.
Encouraged by the results, SEARCA will continue offering the YES! Micro credential to its scholars as part of its Graduate on Time (GOT) Program. The Center is also exploring the possibility of extending the program to non scholars, particularly beneficiaries of its Institutional Development Assistance initiatives.