Ijevan Branch of Yerevan State University

TRAINING COURSE ON “ACADEMIC ENGLISH” IS BEING CONDUCTED FOR YSUIB LECTURERS

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In the second semester of 2018-2019 academic year, the training course on “Academic English” is being conducted by PhD, Associate professor of YSUIB Department of English Language and Literature Narine Gasparyan and Assistant of the same Department Zaruhi Antonyan.

The training course aims at developing English writing and speaking skills of learners (YSUIB lecturers), to create the basis for academic and scientific communication, which will enable to convey thoughts in English in terms of subjects and understand what is being read or heard within linguistic material.

“There are manifold reasons to learn English today. For example, English is an international language. English is the language of 5 world’s largest media centers. Knowledge of English enables learning abroad and improving the quality of education. Armenia’s strategic plan is tourism development, but being a small country, Armenia can not develop tourism in its language (in Armenian): it is possible only in English … Most of YSUIB lecturers are not fluent in English, as French has been widely used for a long time in the region. Taking into account the above mentioned and many other factors, YSUIB carries out training course on “Academic English” for its lecturers”, underlined Z. Antonyan.

The training course aims at developing communication skills in 4 main skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing), as the four types of linguistic activities make it possible to create a natural linguistic and communication environment.

 It is designed to implement 6 levels of learning (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2), which will allow the learner to use English in specialized literature, to comprehend written and spoken scientific discourse, as well as to communicate on professional issues.

The professorial staff of YSUIB has been grouped according to the level of English proficiency and is currently conducting the English language A1 training course, that includes the Branch 29 lecturers.

Within the framework of this training course, the lecturers will be provided with basic knowledge of English phonetics, grammar and vocabulary. In general, the English A1 level is aimed at combining traditional and intensive methods to build students’ ability to listen, read, translate, and retell.

The total duration of the training course is 10 weeks (60 hours) and will end on June 28, with an exam (English language test).

The training is being held in an engaging and interactive atmosphere and the lecturers show great interest.