YEREVAN, Armenia — Venera Melkonyan (MATEFL ‘16) an instructor at the American University of Armenia (AUA) Center for Research and Applied Linguistics, was selected as the first-ever recipient of the Headway Scholarship Competition from Armenia. Having run for over 20 years, Headway Scholarship is a prestigious competition hosted by Oxford University Press (OUP) which invites educators to share their experience in teaching English. This year, 311 participants applied for the scholarship from all around the world. Melkonian was chosen as one of six educators selected for this award, which granted her the opportunity to attend a two-week English Language Teachers’ Summer Seminar at the University of Oxford’s Department for Continuing Education. The training sessions and workshops were held at the renowned Brasenose College, fully funded by OUP.
The English Language Teachers’ Summer Seminar brings together educators from across the world who share a passion for advancing English language teaching. This year, 52 educators from 32 countries took part in the seminar. Melkonian attended classes taught by experts in the field, including Shaun Wilden, Hanna Kryszewska, Robert McLarty, and Adrian Underhill. The workshops enabled her to explore cutting-edge methodologies, with a focus on 21st-century skills and teacher well-being. She also presented Armenia at a cultural exchange event and shared her experience of teaching English in Armenia.
Having first applied for this scholarship in 2017, shortly after receiving her master’s degree from AUA, Melkonian’s journey toward this milestone is marked by persistence and a commitment to continuous professional growth. She believes that the skills and knowledge she gained at AUA made the process easier and smoother. As she mentioned during her informal dinner with Liz Soars, one of Headway textbook authors, applying for the scholarship every year seemed like yet another professional development opportunity, and she challenged herself to complete it in order to meet the needs and standards of 21st century teaching.
“It has been an incredible achievement to be recognized on such an international platform!” Melkonian remarks, adding that she has always believed in the power of education and its ability to transform lives. This scholarship not only enriched her teaching skills but also enabled her to bring new practices to her students and colleagues in Armenia.
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.
