YSU Ijevan branch hosted an event dedicated to La Francophonie organized by Sveta Ohanyan, lecturer of the Department of French Language and Literature, on October 10, 2018.

 It is common knowledge that this year,  the 17th summit of the Francophonie International Organization takes place in Armenia on October 7-12, on the occasion of which numerous delegations from different cities of France, as well as other countries of La Francophonie arrived. The French language and French spirit is prevalent everywhere in Armenia and YSU Ijevan branch is no exception.

The event was dedicated mainly to the places of interest of Paris.

Students of “French language and literature” and “English language and literature” specialties presented songs and poems.

They also presented Paris Eiffel Tower, Champs-Elysee Avenue, Concorde Square, Toulouse Park, and the Panthéon, Louvre and Musee d’Orsay.

It was emphasized that Louvre was one of the most visited museums in the world, encompassing a well- known La Gioconda, Hammurabi code and other world-famous masterpieces.

Musee d’Orsay was primarily featured masterpieces of the Impressionist movement, such as Manet, Edgar Degas, Paul Cezanne, Renoir and others.

The most famous paintings and sculptures in the above-mentioned museums were also presented.

Our students once again proved that French was a language of love and music.

 In 2018, on October 9, YSU Ijevan Branch Hall hosted non-formal education training, with participation of 60 teachers of Tavush Region “Luys Mankanc” Project, YSU IB lecturers.

The program, together with Tavush Diocese, with the blessing of cleric Bagrat Galstanyan, is aimed at children’s spiritual upbringing and development.

The speaker of the training was education expert, Areg Tadevosyan.

During the training, the participants performed practical work, identifying 10 issues in the field of education.

The trainer presented the current challenges of education.

Expected educational outcomes (knowledge, savoir), skill (savoir faire), approach (savoir être) were thoroughly explained.

Key skills have been pointed out:

1. Communication in the native language
2. Communication in Foreign Languages
3. Mathematical, basic scientific and technological abilities
4. Digital abilities
5. Learn How To Learn
6. Initiative and entrepreneurial abilities
7. Cultural awareness and self-expression

The training participants, being teachers and lecturers, have the opportunity to share their knowledge of non-formal education training with pupils and students.

 The fourth-year students of YSU IB Faculty of “Applied Art” and “Design”, supported by YSUIB Directorate, visited Amberd where the students studied the 10th century architecture on October 7, 2018.

The students were accompanied by the lecturer of the Department of “Decorative-Applied Art “and “Design” of YSU Ijevan branch, chief architect of Tavush Region, Misak Melkumyan.

The university students also visited Yerevan where they studied various architectural structures, sculptures, landscapes of gardens and parks.

At the end of the day, the students visited Gallery.

During the study visit, students performed sketch work and selected and clarified their graduation paper topics.

Within the framework of the International Summit of La Francophonie, the official delegation of the French town of Valence headed by its mayor Nicolas Daragon and a group of 40 tourists visited YSU Ijevan branch on October 7, 2018.

The delegation included Valence Mayor N.Daragon, Deputy Mayor Frank Domas,  Chairman of  Valence Branch of ”Armenian General Benevolent Union” Kevin Markaryan, President of  ”Valence Twinning  Committee”  F.Rishben, Mayor Advisers, M.Maren, G.Rastklan, N.Ilozer, Assistant Director of “Maestris” University, E.Tan and other representatives.

 The meeting was attended by members of the Armenian General Benevolent Union, the former lecturers of the branch G. Danset-Hamzyan, Silvi Kochyan-Basmajyan, Silvian Geranyan, who promote pro-Armenian activities in Valence and hosted our students and lecturers during their previous visits.

Acting Director of YSU Ijevan branch, A. Cuculyan welcomed the official delegations of the town of Valence.

He expressed gratitude for visiting the University, promoting pro-Armenian activities in France, and supporting student exchange programs. Mr. Cuculyan put emphasis on French-Armenian friendship, noting that France became a settlement after the Armenian Genocide for many Armenians who have used their power for France prosperity. He also put forward that the student exchange program greatly contributed to the spread of La Francophonie.

Valence Mayor N.Daragon, thanking for the warm reception, noted that French Armenians rapidly integrate and make achievements in their work.

The mayor emphasized that France would support the student exchange program.

He expressed his readiness to cooperate with YSU Ijevan branch in terms of “Applied Art” and “Tourism” specializations. Mr. Daragon added that during this academic year, a group of 10 people would be invited to improve their French language at “Maestris” University.

After the exchange of views, the members of the delegation met with YSU IB foreign language learning students.

During the meeting Valence Mayor spoke about future plans and answered the questions of the students and lecturers.

The guests left with warm impressions and intentions to continue bilateral cooperation.

 In 2018, from October 5-7, Acting Head of YSU IB English Language and Literature Department, PhD, Associate Professor K. Harutyunyan, Ph.D., Assistant N. Gasparyan, Ph.D., Assistant A. Karapetyan, lecturers E. Temrazyan and A. Simonyan attended workshop within “Teacher Development with British Council Armenia” program.

Among the participants were English Language Teaching (ELT) specialists working in Armenia as well as professionals from neighboring countries, including the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Georgia.

 A well-known British specialist, Penny Ur, who is a renowned teacher, educator, writer and speaker and is well-known for her works in the field of teaching methodology, delivered talks and training sessions for English Language Teaching (ELT) specialists working in Armenia.

Penny Ur took graduate and post-graduate degrees at Oxford and Cambridge Universities, and moved to Israel in 1967. She has thirty-five years’ experience as an English teacher in elementary, middle and high schools. Her primary interest is practical aspects of effective English language teaching, on which she has presented lectures and workshops at TESOL, IATEFL and other English teachers’ conferences worldwide.  Her books include Grammar practice activities (2nd Edition) (2009), Vocabulary activities (2012) that is widely used in Armenia.

The workshop was held in a very active and warm atmosphere. Within three days, Penny Ur introduced the peculiarities of English teaching methodology, the relationship between scientific research and language teaching, the peculiarities of working with students having different abilities and opportunities, as well as her secret teaching methods.