English Teacher Training Introduces New Teaching Methods to Local Schools

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YEREVAN, Armenia – On June 24 and 26, 2014, the American University of Armenia (AUA) Center for Research in Applied Linguistics (CRAL) conducted a two-day in-service English teacher training at the Siamanto School #162. It was conducted by Dr. Raichle Farrelly, assistant professor in AUA’s Master’s Program in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (MA TEFL), along with Adelina Khachaturyan and Syuzanna Gasparyan, teaching staff from AUA’s Experimental English Classes. The purpose of the program was to introduce communicative and innovative methods to foreign language teachers. The participants were in-service English language teachers from Siamanto and Yerevak schools.

On the first day of the training, Dr. Farrelly discussed the concept of reflective teaching from teachers’ perspectives, classroom management, teacher-centered vs. student-centered teaching, as well as methods for teaching reading skills. Presenters and participants shared their values and beliefs about teaching in general and the teaching experience in particular.

On the second day, Adelina Khachaturyan and Syuzanna Gasparyan led a session about appropriate techniques for error correction. The second half of the session was focused on more practical activities. A number of sample communicative activities and games were demonstrated for teachers. The most enjoyable part of the session was when teachers themselves assumed the role of students. This was done so that participating teachers could see how the activities worked in action. They were all engaged in the activities with enthusiasm.

This training is a result of the efforts of Syuzanna Gasparyan, a graduate of AUA’s MA TEFL program and an English teacher in the Siamanto and Yerevak schools. She would like to thank Dr. Farrelly for her readiness to share her teaching experience with local language teachers and Anna Stepanyan, the director of the Siamanto school, for her support and enthusiasm.

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia and affiliated with the University of California. AUA provides a global education in Armenia and the region, offering high-quality, graduate and undergraduate studies, encouraging civic engagement, and promoting public service and democratic values.

Dr. Raichle Farrelly on the first day of the training.

Dr. Farrelly discussed the concept of reflective teaching from teachers’ perspectives, classroom management, teacher-centered vs. student-centered teaching, as well as teaching reading skills.

Participants enjoyed the interactive and informative training.