Applied Linguistics Archives - AUA Newsroom https://newsroom.aua.am/category/humanities/applied-linguistics/ News and views from the American University of Armenia Fri, 15 Mar 2024 09:22:34 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 AUA’s CRAL Teachers Shine at Teaching for Success 2024 Conference https://newsroom.aua.am/2024/03/15/auas-cral-teachers-shine-teaching-success-2024-conference/ Fri, 15 Mar 2024 09:22:34 +0000 https://newsroom.aua.am/?p=62220 Held on March 2-3, 2024, the conference attracted over 800 English language educators from diverse backgrounds, both online and offline.

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YEREVAN, Armenia English teachers from the Center for Research in Applied Linguistics (CRAL) at the American University of Armenia (AUA) made a significant impact at the “Teaching for Success 2024” conference, organized by the British Council Armenia in collaboration with the Republic of Armenia (RA) Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport (MoESCS). Held on March 2-3, 2024, the conference attracted over 800 English language educators from diverse backgrounds, both online and offline.

The event commenced with speeches by esteemed speakers, including the RA Minister and Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, who laid the foundation for dynamic discussions. Guest speakers followed with opening remarks, leading into plenary sessions, concurrent workshops, and engaging English language teaching (ELT) voices.

English as a Foreign Language Instructor Margarit Gevorgyan (MATEFL ’18) was notably selected as an ELT voice, exemplifying the expertise present among the ELT community.

Among the other CRAL teachers who presented at the conference were Naira Stepanyan (MATEFL ’09) and Lena Simonyan (MATEFL ’09). Their session focused on “Improving Reading Skills Through Effective Methods and Different Modes,” highlighting interactive reading activities aimed at enhancing comprehension and enjoyment in the reading process.

Anna Avetisyan, instructor in AUA’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences, led a session on the “Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity (DMIS),” emphasizing the importance of smooth intercultural communication in diverse classrooms. Avetisyan’s workshop provided insights into the various stages of DMIS and offered collaborative linguistic tools to support students facing cultural communication challenges.

Venera Melkonyan (MATEFL ’16) and Gevorgyan also presented on the “Integrated Approach in ELT,” showcasing the benefits of merging receptive and productive language skills to foster natural learning and student motivation.

The CRAL teachers’ participation underscored AUA’s commitment to excellence in English language education and research. Their contributions further enriched the conference’s discourse and provided valuable insights for educators striving to enhance their teaching practices.

The “Teaching for Success 2024” conference served as a platform for collaboration, innovation, and professional development, leaving a lasting impact on the English language education community in Armenia and beyond.

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values. AUA’s Office of Development stewards the University’s philanthropic efforts exclusively for educational purposes.

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MATEFL Organizes Seminar for EFL Teachers https://newsroom.aua.am/2023/09/27/matefl-organizes-seminar-for-efl-teachers/ Wed, 27 Sep 2023 09:35:06 +0000 https://newsroom.aua.am/?p=58197 MATEFL organized a seminar for EFL teachers on “From Educational Reform to the Classrooms: Learning From the Uruguayan Experience.”

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YEREVAN, Armenia — On September 15, the American University of Armenia (AUA) College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (MATEFL) program organized a seminar for English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers on “From Educational Reform to the Classrooms: Learning From the Uruguayan Experience.”

The seminar was led by well-known experts from Uruguay, Aldo Rodriguez and Javier Polatian. Professor Aldo Rodríguez serves as the director for language policies at Administración Nacional de Educación Pública. In addition to his role as a secondary school teacher, Professor Rodríguez is a teacher trainer, book author, researcher, educational consultant, and responsible for teaching foreign languages in the country, including Eastern Armenian. 

Professor Javier Polatian has 15 years of experience and is a secondary school teacher, researcher, and educational consultant for the Armenian General Benevolent Union Uruguay. He has actively contributed to the development of materials for Armenian as a foreign and second language, competency-based learning, and active methodologies.

The focus of the seminar was motivated by the current educational reform in Armenia. During the seminar, the speakers introduced participants to key concepts such as competency-based instruction, project-based learning, and formative assessment. They placed emphasis on teaching methods that place the student at the center of learning and also covered assessment and evaluation approaches. Additionally, the presenters discussed some of the challenges and potential solutions for championing educational reform based on the Uruguayan experience. 

The central message of the workshop was about making a shift from a fixed mindset, where the teacher is at the center of the classroom, to a growth mindset that places the student at the forefront of the learning process. Professors Aldo Rodriguez and Javier Polatian emphasized the importance of prioritizing teaching competencies in lieu of elaborating on content. They stressed, “Our aim should be to teach students how to learn, rather than dictating what they should learn, as content can change, while competency remains perpetually relevant.” The workshop advocated for authentic and inquiry-based learning aimed at providing students with opportunities to analyze and synthesize information, essentially fostering a metacognitive learning framework.

The workshop ensured the proactive engagement of all participants. Monica Topchyan, an EFL teacher from Global Bridge, remarked, “At times, we teach language intuitively; the workshop addressed the common challenges faced by educators.” Another freelance online English teacher noted, “In online classrooms, teachers often impose limitations on themselves. However, the competency-based approach opens new horizons in teaching.”

At the end of the seminar, participants received certificates from the MATEFL program, recognizing their active participation and pursuit of professional growth.

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.

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MATEFL Organizes Workshop for Armenian Teachers https://newsroom.aua.am/2023/09/20/matefl-organizes-workshop-armenian-teachers/ Wed, 20 Sep 2023 10:59:06 +0000 https://newsroom.aua.am/?p=58145 MATEFL program organized a workshop on "Teaching Young Learners Armenian as a Second Language."

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YEREVAN, Armenia — On September 13, the American University of Armenia (AUA) College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (MATEFL) program organized a workshop on “Teaching Young Learners Armenian as a Second Language.” The first part of the event was conducted in Armenian by CRAL Research Associate and MATEFL Instructor Dr. Irena Galikyan and dedicated to discussing the challenges instructors face when teaching Eastern Armenian in Armenia, focusing on the intricacies of how children learn a new language.

Dr. Galikyan highlighted several important points, including learning new vocabulary, focusing on the most frequent words, purposeful and incidental learning, and the significance of repetition. The participants actively engaged in these topical discussions and eagerly shared their classroom experiences, particularly in relation to the instructional strategies they used for teaching 4th and 7th graders. 

During the second part of the event, Professor Aldo Rodríguez, director of the Language Policies Office for the Uruguayan Government, and Professor Javier Polatian, director of the AGBU Nubarian School in Montevideo, presented the pedagogical principles behind “Luys yev Armen,” an Eastern Armenian textbook they recently published in Uruguay. Both speakers elaborated on the diverse teaching approaches used in Armenia and Uruguay, highlighting the inclusive and communicative language teaching pedagogies implemented in the textbook. The workshop participants had the opportunity to review the textbook and discuss questions related to Armenian identity and the language in Armenia and abroad.

“We are deeply passionate about this initiative and are eager to share it with schools in Armenia. I believe that collectively, we can do such that our students learn better,” stated Prof. Aldo Rodríguez. 

At the end of the event, several attending teachers also shared their views on the current approach of teaching Armenian as a second language in Armenia. Hasmik Hambardzumyan, a public school teacher, mentioned: “Unfortunately, the textbooks in our schools do not fully meet the needs of the students who do not understand or speak the language; it is crucial to make changes and maybe also consider the ‘Luys yev Armen’ textbook.” 

Anahit Hovhannisyan, head of the Armenian Language group at Ayb school, also emphasized, “As Prof. Javier Polatian said, teaching Armenian as a second language and especially this textbook raises the significance of connecting language with identity and how that can influence learning Armenian in the diaspora.”

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values. 

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MATEFL Hosts Panel Discussion with Education Leaders https://newsroom.aua.am/2023/05/08/matefl-hosts-panel-discussion-with-education-leaders/ Mon, 08 May 2023 07:18:14 +0000 https://newsroom.aua.am/?p=55207 The event was organized within the scope of the course Leadership and Management in Language Teaching.

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YEREVAN, Armenia — On April 27, the American University of Armenia (AUA) Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (MATEFL) program students had the opportunity to meet with leaders in the field of education in Armenia: Azat Soultanov, director of CIS Armenia International School; Nara Magtaghyan, managing director of Teach for Armenia Program; and Aram Pakhchanian, chairman of the Board of Trustees of Ayb Educational Foundation and adjunct lecturer at AUA. 

The students attending the panel discussion had the chance to address their concerns and insights about leadership and management in education. The event was organized within the scope of the course Leadership and Management in Language Teaching.

First, the speakers discussed their leadership experience, focusing on the topic of bringing change through education. Then they each touched upon the mission and vision of their respective organizations; the role of innovation in education; equitable access to education in Armenia; and related topics.

Speaking of leadership and management in schools, Pakhchanian remarked, “You should have a careful balance between control and freedom, and it all depends on the situation. Instead of checking everything and being a critical thinker in doing so, you should probably develop proper intuition to focus on what is wrong. Even as a leader, you can make mistakes, but beware of mistakes that lead to mismanagement.”

The discussion also touched upon changes in the system of education in Armenia, particularly the change from summative to formative assessments in schools. Students and experts engaged in a lively discussion, bringing up arguments and counterarguments on that change. “I agree that some teachers are reluctant toward this change because formative assessment involves more work. However, a supportive wave could take on with just one inspiring teacher embracing the change. If we start with the most important stakeholder in education, that is the student, we can realize changes easier. When we start asking our children the right questions — not what grade they got but what they learned and how they felt in school — the changes will not be painful for teachers either,” remarked Magtaghyan. Soultanov added, “You have to plan for change in advance. If formative assessment is to be implemented, discussion about that has to start a year in advance.” In conclusion, the attendees agreed that building a culture of continuous improvement in education along with sharing success stories can help overcome resistance to change.

Reflecting on the discussion, Anna Poghosyan (MATEFL ‘24) said, “The experience was informative, inspiring, and interactive. I got to learn about major educational projects and organizations in Armenia, their histories, and missions. Above all, it was highly inspiring to consult with successful leaders in the field and connect with their visions.”

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values. 

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Arpine Sargsyan (MATEFL ‘08): ‘One size never fits all’ https://newsroom.aua.am/2023/02/16/arpine-sargsyan-matefl-08-one-size-never-fits-all/ Thu, 16 Feb 2023 11:00:26 +0000 https://newsroom.aua.am/?p=53618 Today, Arpine works at AUA Open Education as General English instructor.

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Arpine Sargsyan (MATEFL ‘08) graduated from the American University of Armenia (AUA) Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (MATEFL) program. Since then, she has worked as an English language teacher mustering years of experience as a TOEFL instructor. She has published six articles, two of which have appeared in international journals. Today, Arpine works at AUA Open Education as General English instructor. She has also opened an education center in her hometown of Ashtarak and is currently working on a new project where she would blend her painting hobby with teaching English. 

AUA and Career Change after Graduation

I came to AUA to pursue my second profession; I had earned my first degree in international relations and diplomacy from Yerevan State University (YSU). While studying at YSU, I would come to AUA almost weekly in order to access the professional literature at the AGBU Papazian Library. So AUA was an important spot for me even before I enrolled at the University. Alongside my studies at YSU, I worked on a USAID-funded project called “Project Harmony,” which was part of the Armenian School Connectivity Program. I was the regional education coordinator and worked with several colleagues whose work stood out to me: their reports were more professional; they demonstrated self-confidence in every situation; and they took a professional approach in addressing issues. I always wondered where they had acquired all of that. As it turned out, they were AUA graduates. That is what prompted me to seek an AUA education and apply to the TEFL graduate program.

Coming to AUA was the right decision. It gave me the skills and competencies that an English language teacher should have. In addition to the professional skills, AUA imparted values of great importance to me, as a person and as a citizen. I learned many life skills at the University; it changed my mindset. As a student here, you learn to solve problems in different real-life situations and become a more creative and critical thinker. I was also taught to be self-confident and express myself without fear of being misunderstood. This is something fundamental that I gained at the University.

After graduation, I always maintained a connection with my alma mater. When, in 2009, AUA’s Open Education (formerly known as AUA Extension) opened a language learning center in my home city of Ashtarak, I started teaching General English and TOEFL iBT there in addition to administering the center. This launched my career as a teacher and instructor: in 2010, I started working at Yerevan State Linguistic University, teaching Testing and Assessment as well as European Press Analysis to master’s students. In 2013, I was invited to teach Testing and Assessment at the Armenian State Pedagogical University, where I also taught master’s students academic writing. Today, I also cooperate with Education USA as a TOEFL iBT instructor. In 2015, I decided it was time to use the skills and competencies I had acquired at AUA to be a changemaker and bring innovative approaches to my community. So, I opened my own language center in Ashtarak, the Anglofun Language and Training Center, where we provide a variety of courses. I also started leading a TED-ED club for teenagers, teaching them how to make presentations. In 2017, I once again started to teach General English at Open Education in my alma mater.

Teaching Became My New Purpose in Life

The decision to apply for admission to AUA’s MATEFL program came to me because of my job at the time, which took me to many schools in rural areas of Armenia. When I saw how many needed good English language teachers, I chose to apply for admission to the TEFL program because that’s how I would realize my newly specified goals and priorities in life. 

I believe that a good teacher or instructor should, first of all, be a lifelong learner: you should never stop cultivating your knowledge because if you don’t learn, you will soon be unable to teach. Teachers and instructors should constantly develop their professional skills. Secondly, teachers should be open to their students and try to understand and address their needs. I believe that “one size never fits all.” As a teacher, you should remember that even when assigning group projects or team activities, you should individually consider each student. Finally, as a teacher, the most important quality to have is to be a motivator. You should inspire students to learn.

Challenges and Motivations at Work

There are many challenges that teachers and instructors face in their careers; for me, the biggest challenge is choosing the right approach. I believe it is essential to change how we think about and perceive education. We should learn for life, not just earn a diploma. By this, I mean that as students, we should envision how we will use the material we are taught to solve real-life problems. Next, whatever we teach, we need to place emphasis on the practical application of knowledge. 

For that, we first need to employ more student-centered teaching approaches, ensuring students develop an ability to take charge of their learning, to be investigators, actors, and initiators. It is also very important and motivating for learners to take responsibility for what they are taught. 

Another critical obstacle we face today, especially in remote areas, is the lack of teaching materials and resources: literature, classroom equipment, audio-video materials, and so on. We should also perceive the value of English as a means of bridging our smaller community to a bigger world. I believe that we have many bright minds who can realize positive changes in the future, and this conviction also inspires me to push forward and never stop teaching and learning myself.

There are many things in my life that motivate me to do my job every day. Most of my encouragement comes from the understanding that I am helping people. I am thrilled and proud when I see my former students entering universities, getting jobs, or obtaining promotions. Besides, teaching English allows me to participate in volunteer work, including teaching English to our disabled soldiers at soldiers’ homes. Right now, I am teaching English to two soldiers who participated in the 44-day war. I thank God every day for such unique opportunities. My younger son, who is currently serving in the military, is my motivator too, and just as our soldiers are doing their best to defend our country, we must do our best to help our country prosper. 

A New Approach to Teaching English

I have a hobby: painting. I am a self-taught artist who started painting four years ago. I do oil paintings and have donated many pieces to charity. I am currently developing an interesting and innovative project that integrates art with English education. At first, this idea may seem odd, but this is a skill I learned at AUA: the ability to integrate two seemingly incompatible things and create something great. I am using this know-how to combine painting classes with English lessons so students can learn English through painting. I believe that this approach will be successful. 

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COAF Teachers Join AUA’s CTEFL to Transform Teaching in Marzes https://newsroom.aua.am/2022/08/31/coaf-teachers-join-auas-ctefl-to-transform-teaching-in-marzes/ Wed, 31 Aug 2022 12:39:33 +0000 https://newsroom.aua.am/?p=49414 The summer classes were held on the AUA campus and in COAF’s Smart Center in Debet, Lori.

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“When our school principal learned from the Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) about the possibility of studying in the Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (CTEFL) program of the American University of Armenia (AUA), he immediately confirmed my participation in the program without any hesitation and even without asking me first,’’ says Liana Karapetyan, current CTEFL student, radiating an upbeat vibe throughout the entire conversation. 

Liana is a beginning teacher of English in COAF’s Smart Center in Debet and in one of the public schools in Vanadzor. Along with 15 other English teachers from different schools in the Lori region, Liana joined the CTEFL program that started with a seven-week intensive study at AUA in Summer 2022. 

Through a partnership between AUA and COAF, the CTEFL program was adopted as the recognized teacher training platform for the “English Speaking Rural Schools” project, implemented jointly by COAF and the U.S. Embassy in Armenia. According to COAF, “the mission of the project is to employ education-led approaches aimed at improving the quality of English language education in rural Armenia, with a particular focus on schoolchildren and English instructors.”

“Our TEFL team at AUA has been trying out new solutions to bring our teacher training programs closer to in-service teachers from remote regions of Armenia and Artsakh. This year, we joined efforts with COAF to offer CTEFL to English teachers from Lori as part of their grant program, which in turn leverages the support of the RA Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sport and the U.S. Embassy in Armenia. We believe such partnerships multiply the effects of individual players into something bigger. I hope this experience is just the beginning of our further collaboration to support English teachers from many other marzes in Armenia and Artsakh,” remarks Dr. Irshat Madyarov, AUA TEFL program chair.

The summer classes were held on the AUA campus and in COAF’s Smart Center in Debet, Lori. Yerevan’s hot summer days and Lori’s mild weather, along with sleepless nights and endless assignments, shaped the participants for a productive and skillful experience. “I’ve seen lots of positive things happening; students adjusted quickly and effectively to the intensity of the program. They continuously challenged themselves aiming to achieve more,” notes Talin Grigorian, TEFL instructor at AUA.

“The curriculum is perfectly organized. I wish all the universities could prepare teachers upon entering the classroom the way the TEFL program does,” says Alla Saroyan, current CTEFL student and English teacher at Alaverdi’s primary school.

The nine-credit CTEFL program will end in Fall 2022 with a teaching practicum component in the schools where COAF-sponsored teachers work. Of note, the CTEFL program credits earned can be transferred toward studies in the Master of Arts program in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (MA TEFL). The credits also count for teachers’ voluntary attestation and qualification upgrades with the RA Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sport.

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values. 

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CRAL Holds Formative Assessment Workshop for English Teachers https://newsroom.aua.am/2022/05/10/cral-formative-assessment-workshop-english-teachers/ Tue, 10 May 2022 09:44:42 +0000 https://newsroom.aua.am/?p=46840 AUA Center for Applied Linguistics (CRAL), in cooperation with Oxford University Centre for Educational Assessment (OUCEA), organized a Formative Assessment Workshop for teachers from different educational institutions of Armenia.

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YEREVAN, Armenia — On April 22, the American University of Armenia (AUA) Center for Applied Linguistics (CRAL), in cooperation with Oxford University Centre for Educational Assessment (OUCEA), organized a Formative Assessment Workshop for teachers from different educational institutions of Armenia. The workshop was delivered by Marianna Asatryan, head of Undergraduate Admissions at the University of Oxford, her alma mater, and was supported by the Santander Academic Travel Awards, Oxford University.

Today, educators place a greater emphasis on formative assessment as best practice in teaching. In this interactive workshop, the speaker focused on specific formative assessment techniques, such as feedback and self-assessment, and discussed how these techniques could enhance teaching and learning in a TEFL context. She led the discussion sharing her expertise and knowledge in the field. The participants had ample opportunities to also discuss their own experiences. Rubina Gasparyan, AUA lecturer and head of the EEC after school English program remarked, “Assessment for learning is a topic that attracts many teachers and educators today. This workshop was very effective in addressing the benefits of formative assessment with a close focus on the positive outcomes of feedback.”

The workshop was a lively and successful event that left both the presenter and the participants with a valuable experience and warm memories to cherish for a long time. 

The American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university affiliated with the University of California. AUA is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission, 1001 Marina Village Parkway, Suite 402, Alameda, CA 94501, 510.748.9001, www.wscuc.org. 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.

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Sona Adamyan (MATEFL’ 22) Wins Best Teacher of the Year Award https://newsroom.aua.am/2021/11/16/aua-student-wins-best-teacher/ Tue, 16 Nov 2021 07:59:38 +0000 https://newsroom.aua.am/?p=44065 Congratulations are in order to AUA graduate student Sona Adamyan (MATEFL ’22) who has emerged as the Best Teacher award winner, as announced by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture […]

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Congratulations are in order to AUA graduate student Sona Adamyan (MATEFL ’22) who has emerged as the Best Teacher award winner, as announced by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia in October 2021. We sat down with her to find out more about the road to her successful win, the sources of her inspiration, motivation, and inner drive to teaching excellence. 

Please tell us about your background. How did you get to study at AUA?

I first attended the Linguistic University after Brusov where I received a BA in Translation/interpretation (English-Armenian/Armenian-English), and subsequently an MA in Education Administration. Following my graduation, I served as an EVS volunteer in Poland working with Chechen refugee children, teaching them English and helping them with after-school activities.

From 2012-2013  I studied Chinese at Shanxi University in Taiyuan, Shanxi China. After returning from China, I started teaching English in a public school. In 2015, I became an eTwinning ambassador in Armenia and took part in many international seminars, conferences and workshops in Poland, Germany, etc. It was then that I understood I would need pedagogical education to be able to teach effectively and succeed in the field. So I applied to AUA, which was one of the best decisions in my career. 

How long have you been teaching?   How have your AUA education and the MATEFL program contributed to building your professional skills? 

In the words of the eminent American motivational writer William Arthur Ward, “The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” 

I began teaching about nine years ago and have taught not only in Armenia but also in Poland and China. Although my teaching and volunteering experiences abroad have shaped the way I taught then, I owe most of my current teaching philosophy to the MA TEFL program of the American University of Armenia. It is here in  this program where I learned how to motivate my students to learn, how to make the lessons more engaging and fun, how to develop lesson plans, what type of feedback to provide my students, how to do error correction, what activities to use, whether to use or not to use technology in the classroom, etc. My beliefs and philosophy of teaching have dramatically changed since I enrolled in AUA.  Now I believe that one of the most important elements of teaching and learning a language are designing a curriculum that incorporates different learning styles, raising students’ motivation and encouraging them to learn, integrating technology in the teaching and learning process, and last but not least creating the desired atmosphere both in the classroom and in the workplace. 

In fact, the AUA MA TEFL program has given me the greatest confidence and motivation in my career. It has enabled me to demonstrate curiosity and passion in my subject area, to work well and productively in a team and share my knowledge and expertise with peers and teachers, to motivate and inspire positive traits not only in my students but also in my colleagues. And most importantly, AUA has taught me to inspire. And I am sure that I will bring a positive attitude and high expectations to both my classrooms and my school.

You have been teaching in various places over the years. What do you consider the easiest and the most difficult thing about teaching?

The current globalization and technological advances have led to numerous challenges in our education system. As a result, the whole education system needs to be changed in order to provide new skills and competences for students to be successful both in their lives and in their careers. From my perspective, the easiest thing about teaching is to make good relationships/contact with students of all ages. However it is extremely challenging nowadays to motivate the current generation of students and engage each of them in the lessons. 

I would add that teaching is a process where you learn from your students, parents, colleagues and the community. It is a lifelong process during which you acquire new knowledge, new teaching methods and consequently grow and develop as a professional. 

You will be completing the MATEFL program soon. What is the topic of your capstone project?

My capstone topic is “The impact of eTwinning on EFL students and teachers learning and teaching”. There is a lot of research and articles published on eTwinning in many countries. But so far, in Armenia, we have not done research in this field. Thus, I want to be one of the first to see whether or not eTwinning improves students’ language and learning skills and how it impacts teachers in the process. As a matter of fact I want to become an “eTwinning” teacher trainer and create a lot of online professional development courses for eTwinning teachers worldwide. I would have never thought of this had I not studied at AUA and taken all the courses and, most importantly, got motivated from my professors. 

You were recently awarded the Teacher of the Year Award. Tell us about the award. What does receiving this award mean to you?

Every year the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of the Republic of Armenia organizes the competition for the “Best Teacher” of the year. Since 2018/2019 the format of the competition has changed allowing teachers to come up with their own projects which may include completed projects or those that will be done later in the year. In fact, the competition had several categories ranging from preschool education to secondary. I was the winner in the category of “Preschool education best pedagogical project” with my eTwinning European winner project in 2020 called “Busy Bugs in my Bag”.  

Frankly, I have always wanted to win this competition. Although last year my application for the competition was not accepted due to some technical issues, my hard work and persistence paid off this year, and I was able to be one of the winners. Currently I am working on two other projects so as to be able to apply for the “Best Teacher” competition next year and win again. It’s not only about the winning/prize but the great motivation, satisfaction, appreciation, and pride the award gives me. It makes me understand that yes, indeed, teachers are the changemakers and the champions every student needs nowadays. 

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.

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CHSS Open House https://newsroom.aua.am/2021/10/22/chss-open-house/ Fri, 22 Oct 2021 06:41:24 +0000 https://newsroom.aua.am/?p=43721 Join us on November 13, 2021, starting from 11:00am!

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< 1 min read

The American University of Armenia (AUA) invites you for a master’s degree Open House for the following programs: Political Science and International Affairs (PSIA), Laws (LL.M.), Human Rights and Social Justice (HRSJ), Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), and Graduate Certificate Program in Teaching English as a Foreign Language. 

During the Open House, you will get detailed information about the programs, admission process, application requirements, course offerings, financial aid, campus life, career opportunities, and much more.

Join us on November 13, 2021, starting from 11:00am, by completing the pre-registration form.

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AUA MATEFL Alumna on Studying and Teaching Online https://newsroom.aua.am/2021/08/24/matefl-alumna-studying-and-teaching-online/ Tue, 24 Aug 2021 08:23:35 +0000 https://newsroom.aua.am/?p=43020 Luiza Vardanyan highlights that the education at AUA far exceeded her expectations.

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3 min read

After earning her undergraduate degree in English and Communications from the American University of Armenia (AUA), Luiza Vardanyan stayed on for graduate studies subsequently completing the MA in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (MATEFL) program. This year the AUA double alumna had the chance to celebrate her graduation at an unprecedented double commencement ceremony for the Classes of 2020 and 2021.

Vardanyan highlights that the education at AUA far exceeded her expectations. Besides providing her with a high-quality education, AUA has also equipped her with important skills she could use in most life situations. “AUA has shaped me into a global citizen, someone who can think both critically and analytically in any circumstance, someone who can be both an active listener and an effective communicator, and someone who dares to be an initiator and think out of the box. All of those are skills I gained in class and through involvement in many extracurricular activities that AUA encourages students to take part in, such as student clubs, campus events and workshops.”

Due to the unprecedented restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, educational institutions worldwide had to shift to an online mode. As an MATEFL student, Vardanyan experienced first-hand both sides of the coin: she studied and also taught online. 

“I had always anticipated that virtual classrooms would someday take over traditional ones. That is what drove me to research and experiment with teaching through videoconferencing,” notes Vardanyan. She started teaching online long before the outbreak of COVID-19 experiencing early on the challenges and upsides of teaching via virtual platforms. So, when AUA shifted to online classes, she did not face any difficulties. Instead, she took on the opportunity with enthusiasm to complete her graduate studies online and simultaneously work as an English language instructor. “My teaching role was insightful as I could see and feel what it means to study online from the students’ perspective. This helped me to reconsider my teaching methods and philosophy of distant learning.” 

Vardanyan believes that online teaching is more challenging than face-to-face teaching. “Instructors who wish to teach online need to be extremely patient and willing to lend a helping hand to those students who struggle with online technologies. As for professional skills, online teaching demands more rigorous skills in classroom management, lesson planning, and attention to detail. To be in control of what students do during online lessons is rather arduous and demands long hours at my desk devising methods of how to keep students’ attention on the lesson. We are lucky to live in an era of technological advancements that have availed us of online applications, games, and quizzes in virtual learning platforms that enrich students’ learning experience and help them enjoy the learning experience.”

AUA has returned to face-to-face instruction with both faculty and students ready to implement what they have learned during the past year and a half. Vardanyan advises current AUA students to help make the most of their AUA learning experience. “Make memories at AUA, spend time in the Student Union, play games and socialize with classmates, work on assignments at the AGBU Papazian Library, and take active participation in campus events” she counsels. 

At the moment, Vardanyan works for AUA Open Education as an instructor of General English and exam preparation courses. Apart from that, she is also developing her own English learning blog, which aims at enhancing learners’ knowledge of English and confidence in speaking the language. A life-long learner by nature, she is looking forward to reaching higher peaks on her career path.

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.

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