YEREVAN, Armenian — The American University of Armenia (AUA) is pleased to share that creativity and hard work have led Rubina Gasparyan, lecturer in the Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) program and the B.A. in English and Communications (BAEC) program, and Syuzanna Torosyan, BAEC program lecturer and TEFL recruitment coordinator to participate in two prestigious conferences: the Barcelona Conference on Education (BCE) and TESOL France 2024.
Gasparyan and Torosyan conducted interactive workshops emphasizing the importance of implementing communicative activities to foster creative thinking (BCE); and incorporating creative activities in the process of language learning informed by recent studies in neuroscience (TESOL France). In addition, Gasparyan presented a case study highlighting the significance of peer assessment in providing learners with reflective strategies to promote autonomous learning.
All the sessions encouraged active participation from attendees. “It was a pleasure to see our colleagues from different countries and institutions actively engaged and, even more rewarding, to have them reference our presentation in their own talks,” remarked Gasparyan. Torosyan added, “Both conferences provided us with a wonderful opportunity to investigate and adopt some best practices and methods that can enhance and foster high-quality education, as well as establish valuable connections with participants — representatives from other local and international institutions — for further collaboration.”
Both lecturers agreed that participating in such large-scale conferences is not only a rich learning experience but also an opportunity to showcase their expertise and proudly represent AUA.
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.
