YEREVAN, Armenia — Gurgen Piloyan (MATEFL ’27) is a first-year graduate student pursuing his Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (MATEFL) at the American University of Armenia (AUA). Having started his teaching journey during his undergraduate years in the Bachelor of Arts in English and Communications program, Gurgen came to realize that passion alone was not enough. “At some point, I realized I needed theory to support my practice,” he explains. “So I decided to apply to the MATEFL.”
Gurgen’s background in English and communications has been a valuable asset, particularly in developing what he considers one of the most important human traits: adaptability. He believes the humanities help educators connect with people across all disciplines. This ability to relate to others, he notes, proves useful in everyday life — even in something as simple as a conversation on a bus.
Through his experience teaching at various educational centers, Gurgen has developed a keen eye for the “gaps” in the current system. Rather than viewing these issues as roadblocks, he sees them as opportunities for growth. “When you see a problem, it’s also a gap — and gaps can be filled,” he says. This mindset drives his current work in the MATEFL program, where he has been developing a specialized course. One of his primary goals is to challenge the ingrained belief that learning must be tedious. “Many students come in expecting learning to be boring. When they realize it isn’t, they get suspicious — as if they aren’t actually learning if they’re enjoying it. But learning should be exciting,” he asserts.
In a field where male educators are relatively rare, Gurgen emphasizes that the most important quality of a teacher isn’t gender but the ability to recognize what needs to change. “If you don’t recognize what’s broken, you’ll just continue repeating it,” he notes.
To students interested in education, Gurgen offers a simple reminder: knowing a subject and teaching it are two different skills. He encourages aspiring teachers to study methodology and observe experienced educators closely. While it may feel like “copying” at first, he believes that over time, every teacher develops a unique style shaped by what they have learned.
At the heart of Gurgen’s approach is empathy. “It’s easy to get frustrated when students don’t understand something right away,” he says. “But patience and understanding are essential. At the end of the day, I really believe that care and respect — what we might simply call ‘love’ — play a huge role in education.”
Looking ahead, Gurgen plans to bring his philosophy to a public school after graduation. His vision, however, extends beyond the classroom; he hopes to eventually contribute to education at a systemic level, potentially influencing educational policy.
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.