Seminar Daily

Samara Training Site

Organizers: Yuliya Alexandrovna Markushina, Marina Alexandrovna Kulinich

Session # 1.

Presenter: Galina B.Golub, coordinator of educational programs of Samara branch of "Open Society Institute".

Presentation: "How to Plan a Project"

Basic ideas about projects: project as a form of planning (based on a purpose, goal, broad understanding), narrower understanding of a project - step by step activity, performed by a team within a limited period (time) and limited funding, targeting a principle change.

A scheme was presented: how to define a goal, how to define objectives. Three teams were formed and they each planned a project and then gave presentations of mock drafts of their projects. The first project was presented by Victoria I. Tuzlukova (Rostov-on-Don): "Improvement of quality training of students-philologists through introduction of Internet technology into educational process". The second project was presented by Olga Vladimirovna Ignatieva (Togliatti): "Setting up of a resource center for EFL teachers on the basis of the American-Russian Center". The third project "Setting up an association of EFL elementary school teachers within SELTA" was presented by Saratov participants.

Comments, discussions, answers and questions followed the presentation..

Session # 2.

Continuation of Project Planning: details , project stages, types of planning, budget. Discussions.

Ideas for future projects:

- Problems of intercultural communication ;

• Creating websites of methodological databases;
• Creating information mini centers (independent organizations);
• Distance learning for rural teachers;
• Project work in in-service teachers' training;
• Creating English-Russian dictionary on social work;
• Creating a guide to EFL textbooks (info for the teachers with the ideas how to adjust foreign textbooks);

Session #3.

Presenter: Simon Winetroube (English Language Officer, responsible for projects, cooperation with the Russian teachers in the area of EFL) from the British Council Presentation: the current work of the British Council in Russia.

Information about the British Council as a structure. (An autonomous organization that officially represents GB in the areas of Education, Science and Technology and Culture) Major funding comes partly from the British taxpayers through a Foreign Office grant. The British Council earns money through administering exams, managing projects for other international donor organizations and more. It receives some private donations. Although it is a charitable organization, it also serves to develop good relationships with different countries - mutual benefit is the keyword. Learning English has become more important and necessary in many countries. English language competence leads to stronger ties, expansion of trade, and better understanding between our countries. Building partnerships and relationships is one of the goals of the BC. Areas of work: Arts, Science, Education and English Language teaching (part of Educational Reform in general). BC has offices in Moscow, St.Pete, Nizhni Novgorod, Ekaterinburg. Smaller offices in Volgograd, Yaroslavl, Omsk, Krasnoyarsk, Sochi, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Tula. Two new offices will be opened this year in Samara and Irkutsk

Working systemically and simultaneously through EFL teaching means working in the following areas:

PRESET: Tula project based on Polish experience which is aimed at training teachers during first 3 years at Tula pedagogical college. Students will have a chance to continue education at Tula Pedagogical University while working at schools. The model is going to be disseminated in 6 regions. The purpose of the fast-track program is to help solve the shortage-of-teachers problem that currently exists in Russia.

ASSESSMENT: The St. Pete project is developing a new school-leaving exam system, not school based, that is standardized and evaluates the success or failure of students. The exams are communicative. The goal is to reform assessment and overall to effect teaching reform.

MATERIALS: A competition was held and a team of 20 plus teachers was selected for training in Plymouth. They are working on a new textbook for secondary schools.

INSET: The project started in Krasnoyarsk, with Soros support. The BC got involved in the project about 5 years ago. It is called "Continuous Professional Development" and is project- based. This model has been adopted in Sochi, Volgograd, Sakhalin, Omsk, and is about to be introduced in Irkutsk and Ekaterinburg.

Simon emphasized that a change in one of the four areas affects the others and reform will only be successful if the effects of that change are understood and implemented in all other areas.

The following smaller projects are under way: BRITISH STUDIES; YOUNG LEARNERS; ESP. BC is involved in the Presidential Initiative as well. There is a plan to expand their work in ESP dramatically and to work with the Soros Foundation for bigger projects. ESP, which is so far underestimated, is becoming one of the major areas. BC works closely with Americans, "we are not rivals, and we work together." Together with our Russian partners we all will be able to do a lot.

Presenter: Nick Brieger. Mr. Brieger participates in the Presidential Initiative Program and supervises the training of teachers of English.

Presentation: ELT Organizations

IATEFL (International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language). The organization was founded in the 60s in U.K. It was aimed at bringing together all teachers in ELT and influenced countries throughout Europe. At annual conferences members who were invited to come have a chance to exchange information about the current situations in their countries as well as to listen to experts. Usual participation is about 2000 people. This year it is going to be held in Dublin in March. Each country was encouraged to set up its affiliate, something like IATEFL/Italy to promote the interest of teachers in the country. One single organization couldn't represent the interests of all teachers of English in all countries. A second development was the SIGs (Special Interest Groups). Particular groups who had interests in special topics set up their SIGs. The groups that exist today are:

• Young learners (6-10 years old with special curriculum and textbooks. A growing market)
• Teacher development (Mini projects, research for teachers to develop their professional careers)
• Learner Independence (working environment in the classroom that allows learners not to be dependent on the teacher. The best learner is an independent learner)
• Pronunciation
• Business English (what and how Business English should be taught)
• ESP
• Global Issues ("methodology in search of a subject" - what is the content within which English can/should be taught. The idea is to help students to communicate with others about global issues, it gives something to communicate about)
• Literature (teaching English through Literature)
• Testing (a very hot issues, moves away from accuracy based testing to a whole evaluation process)
• Multi media (how do we use the new technologies to support ELT: Internet, e-mail, newspapers on PCs, etc. It deals with the way the new technologies facilitate ELT. Plus CD-ROM materials)
• ELT Management (everything relating to provision of EL Teaching. Managers in private EL Schools should be specifically trained)
• British Studies
• Teacher Training

There are international and local SIGs.

TESOL (Teachers/teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) is an American organization. It is similar to IATEFL. Members of IATEFL, TESOL participate in annual conferences, produce journals. Participation is quite expensive. You can get information on how to become Associate Organizations on a website. Now IATEFL is starting a wider membership scheme. The basic idea is to offer assistance to teachers to join IATEFL from countries that can not afford it (At prices that match the country's cost of living) There will be a limited number of these memberships available.

http://www.iatefl.org/wms.htm IATEFL members sometimes get publications for free.

Session # 2.

Presenter: Lyudmila Anatolyevna Shanskaya

Presentation: Local Professional Associations of EL teachers' activities.

Short-term teacher retraining courses (seminars, summer schools) for non-language educational establishments make a great input to professional ELT. Native speaker instructor role at such seminars: to give information, teach cultural realities of their native country, etc. They do not participate in the seminar in our usual way and their understanding of the seminar content differs a lot from our understanding. Seminar topics which were useful: International Exams (Speaking and Writing Tests), ESP (Case study, Public Relations, Presentations), Phrasal Verbs, US Educational System, Political Correctness: How it is reflected in the English Language, etc. Such topics as critical thinking are not interesting to Russian Teachers who participate in the seminars. That's why if a foreign scholar is invited to the seminar a variety of topics that are of interest to the Russian teachers are suggested. (1.Practical Issues (Measure Words, Subject/Verb Agreement, Article, Essay Writing, Idioms, etc.) 2. Cross-cultural Issues (Legal Aspects of Everyday Life, Generation Gaps, Holidays, Students Life, etc.) 3. Methodology (teaching Vocabulary/Grammar, Testing, Curriculum Development, Group Activities, Business English, Text Book Evaluation)). Participants get certificates after 40-48 hour seminar.

Session # 3.

Presenter: Marina Kulinich

Presentation: Samara TESOL - once a month 2-hour session (1 native speaker, 1 Russian teacher).

There are about 200 members in Chapter. Four conferences have already been held. Membership fee - about 1 USD a year.

Session # 4.

Panel Discussion: how to organize seminars and workshops for teachers of English in regions.
Moderator: Marina Alexandrovna Kulinich (Samara)

Panel Members: Natalia Ivanovna Rossomagina (Perm Lyceum # 1)

Natalia Petrovna Grubman (Karelia In-Service Teachers' Training Center)

Alla Valentinovna Kurova (Penza In-Service Teachers' Training Center)

Galina Vyatcheslavovna Lashkova (Saratov Center, SELTA President)

Questions to be discussed: working language of the conference, conference proceedings, and posters.

Galina Golysheva brought booklets and explained how conference proceedings are published (at the expense of POIPKRO, very low cost, sold immediately, and very popular among teachers of the region. POIPKRO has a very good publishing facility.)

Vyatcheslav Buzhinsky shared his experience in organizing an International Conference in Kursk on Phonetics with the help of USIS. He invited 12 professors from the Black Soil Region to participate in the conference in addition to 80 teachers from Kursk. The USIS grant covered transportation and lodging expenses of the 12 professors as well as publishing conference proceedings costs.

Lyudmila Alexandrovna Kozhevnikova talked about the Samara experience. Lyudmila noticed that nearly every presentation started with the words of gratitude towards USIS. In many cases it was USIS (now ELO) that helped arrange conferences, establish associations, and network. Ms. Kozhevnikova also noticed that many universities and centers ask for support from the BC, USIS, and other agencies for organization of similar seminars and conferences. Ms. Kozhevnikova thinks that sometimes the funds are not spent effectively and thinks that a new umbrella network of different associations/ centers could help with the flow of information that will go both ways and will benefit regions and various agencies. The Umbrella Network will help to define cities that either major in some aspect of EFL or where there is a need for development of this or that aspect. The Umbrella Network could help with arranging support for visiting/academic guest speakers, channeling efforts and information. It will be easier for BC and USIS to more effectively inform ELT community about events, possible funding, and guest speakers through an Umbrella Organization.

Session # 5. Presenter: Simon Winetroube

Presentation: "ELTeCS" (English Language Teachers Contacts Scheme set up in 1990 by BC).

This is an e-mail list where people exchange info on conferences, for people who are seeking information about topics that interest EEL teachers, i.e. availability of retraining courses, etc). It started as a resource for Central and Eastern Europe, now it's international.

(http://britishcouncil.org/english/eltecs/mission.htm)

Simon highlighted TEA WORKSHOP IN TASHKENT

(http://www.britishcouncil.org/english/eltecs/tea/intro.htm)

A list of ELT ORGANIZATIONS can be found at

(http://britishcouncil.org/english/engorgs.htm)

SEAL (Society for Effective Affective Learning), BAAL (British Association Applied Linguistics)

Simon discussed the idea of starting a new Umbrella Network Organization. It would be very helpful in selecting the best requests for support of different conferences, workshops. The BC could help with publications, newsletters. British Council could distribute its publications through the Umbrella Organization. A website would be another very good idea with links to other organizations such as BC, TESOL. However, a website requires space on a server and regular maintenance. The quickest way is to start an e-mail list, but that will be time consuming. BC could think about finding support to cover it.

Session # 6.

Presenter: Elena Lubnina

Presentation: activities of the English Language Office at Public Affairs Section (see flyer)

Session # 7.

Presenter: Natalia Ivanovna Marchenko (Voronezh)

Presentation: Activities of Voronezh TESOL Chapter.

The Voronezh chapter started its work in 1992 and it was the first to become the chapter of TESOL-RUSSIA(1995). Now there are about 100 members. The work of the Voronezh Chapter is assisted by the USIS, the British Council, CUP, OUP, Longman, Dinternal, European Book Company, and Centercom. There are several SIGs within the organization: business English, English for the young, translation, ESP, country studies, English in secondary schools, American communicative behavior. In 1997 Voronezh Association co-sponsored by the Voronezh State University held the 4^th annual TESOL-RUSSIA conference. About 400 participants took part in it, among them were 30 foreign guests (USA, UK, Poland, Ukraine). In 1997 the agreement was signed between Voronezh association and NYS TESOL on joint research in the field of American communicative behavior and the report has been accepted for the TESOL Convention in Vancouver, March 2000. Within this time several conferences have been held and proceedings were published (the working languages English and Russian).Some interesting activities have been launched for students: essay competitions, Olympiads, publishing students "Never Before" newspaper. USIS, Dinternal and sometimes the British Council kindly presented prizes for the winners of the events. Four members of the Association sponsored by the USIS took part in the teachers developing programs in the USA. In the last four years a Newsletter has been edited and published by Marina Abramovna Sternina, current association president (email: sternina@vmail.ru website: http://sternina.adeptis.ru/ Tel: (H) (0732) 54-27-80. Recently she started a Newsletter for NATE as its Editor-in-Chief. By now everything has been arranged to start a website and go on with the webpage on the basis of the Voronezh State University Internet Center. In between the conferences the Association members work within the SIGs. Thus the school education SIG holds seminars on the modern trends in school education dealing with bilingual biological studies, international telecommunication projects, students' publishing activities ("Cultural Horizons" magazine, Sweden; "Ecological Congress Ecological Journal", Ks USA, "The rainbow of Fantasies", Euro school Russia"), European Language Portfolio.

Session # 8.

Presenter: Shirley Hinrichs

Presentation: Peace Corps weekly seminars for Pskov teachers and self-esteem.

She started with an activity "Get out of the box" which emphasizes the need to expand your thinking and to go beyond your defined responsibilities. Having a Peace Corps volunteer can be an integral part of expanding your activities. Shirley presented the story of PC in Russia as part of PC history and goals. To illustrate the role of the PCV in the workplace and in the community, Shirley shared her experiences in Pskov. She talked about what to expect from a volunteer, what not to expect and the importance of having a "job" for the volunteer. Shirley described the weekly seminars: purpose, topics as chosen by teachers, structure and the monthly newsletter. She is willing to do seminars at other conferences and encourages people to invite her or ask volunteers in their cities to speak on topics that are mutually interesting and motivating. Information was given on how to invite a PCV. Throughout the presentation Shirley related the importance of self-esteem to teachers, students, and volunteers and in their relationships to each other. A self-esteem exercise was done at the end of the presentation and participants will be able to do the same exercise with their students and colleagues.

Session #9.

Presenter: Lyudmila Alexandrovna Gorodetskaya, editor-in-chief of the newsletter ESP/BESIG Russia (also Associate Professor at Moscow State University)

Presentation: ESP newsletter.

Ms. Gorodetskaya invited participants of the seminar to contribute to the newsletter through e-mail: lgorodet@mail.ru or shkhvatsabaia@limm.mgimo.ru

Don't forget to add info about yourself. Tel of the British Council : (095) 234-02-01

Presenter: Victoria Igorevna Tuzlukova (Rostov-on-Don)

Presentation: current projects "Introduction of new technologies into educational process".

Ms. Tuzlukova shared information on a new dictionary, plans up to 2004, web design, English /Russian Dictionary for Internet User which has been completed and published. You can find info at http://www.edu.donpac.ru,Victoria also recommended the site: www.tversu.ru (susov) - a very good site for linguistics. Ms. Tuzlukova participated in TESOL last year and acquired the information on J.R. Garrott project "Cultured English classrooms through consideration of Cultural Values". She contacted the author of the project and asked her permission to use her idea in telecommunication project on virtual intercultural project. Rostov State Pedagogical University (Russia), Western Kentucky University, Denver University, Colorado, Baylor University, Texas (USA), Lakehead University, Ontario, Canada have expressed their interest in the participation in the project. She also invited her colleagues, participants of the seminar, to take part in the virtual project. Victoria Igorevna Tuzlukova gave information on the up-coming conference at her university "Intercultural communication: global and regional aspects" (May,2000) and workshop on linguistic database.

Presenter: Lyubov Ivanovna Sokirkina (Saratov)

Presentation: European Confederation of Language Centers in Education (CerclesS).

Now there are 7 affiliations of this organization and over 500 members. Language Centers include Language Departments, Centers that deal with commercial activities, etc, The headquarters is in Plymouth, UK. There is an offer to set up a Russian affiliation. CercleS concentrates on the language European policy, IT in language teaching, autonomous learner, language advising. Ms. Sokirkina shared information on a number of European organizations that deal with EL Teaching. One of them is EAIE (European Association of International Education) and its professional section LICOM (Languages in international communication and mobility). This organization pays much attention to intercultural issues and distance learning.

Morning sessions - a visit to Internet Center of Samara State University. Email and Internet training for the participants. City Tour

Presenter: Mariya Valerievna Verbitskaya, Executive Director of NATE (National Association of Teachers of English, Affiliation of TESOL).

Presentation: NATE

NATE was officially registered in 1997 though it actually started its work much earlier. There are some very active chapters in Samara, Voronezh, and Orenburg. A lot depends upon the personality of the leader of the organization. Organizations are invited to become associate members of NATE. NATE can help with targeted advice and methodology. Some SIGs are very active; BESIG even holds international conferences. Logistics: There is a law on non-profit organizations, which means that if no money is going to be involved, there is no need to register as an NGO organization. If not, then you have to register in a Registration Committee. It is better to be registered in the format of non-commercial partnership. "Obschestvennaya Organizatsiya" should be registered in the Ministry of Justice, which is very difficult, as all Parties and Trade Unions belong to this type of organizations. Dr. Verbitskaya recommended to be registered within a framework of non-commercial partnership. In this type of partnership profit is spent on the development of the organization. Participants asked Dr. Verbitskaya to provide information on how to mail using the status of a non-commercial organization, how to present information to Tax Committee. Dr. Verbitskaya shared information on the difficulties of registration of a non-commercial organization and she is ready to share a package of necessary documentation with those who are planning to register an association that in the future will become an associate NATE member. The organization will need to be licensed if it plans to be involved in educational activity or publishing activity. You will have to bring all copies of passports as well as properly processed passports of the founders of the organizations. In a month you are supposed to get a temporary certificate. Then you will have to get registered at a number of institutions such as Pension Fund, Tax Committee, Statistics Committee, etc. Do not ignore accounting activity!!! It is better to open an account in SBERBANK and to hire an experienced reliable accountant. Computer accounting program is a big plus, consultations at reliable firms are worthwhile spending money. When planning salaries within the NGO don't forget that you will have to pay 12% - individual income tax; 29%- Pension Fund, Sotsstrakh, Medical insurance to say nothing of VAT and 2,5% road tax. All in all 40% minimum. NATE representatives will try to help with pieces of advice.

NATE CONFERENCE. The Conference in Orenburg was cancelled because of the situation in Russia at that time. The Conference will be held in Tomsk on May 15-17, 2000. Dr. Verbitskaya advertised the following journals: NATE Newsletter, BESIG Newsletter, ESP Russia journal, "Vestnik MGU" and "Hello!" Magazine.

How to start a chapter:

• application letter (request)
• fee (individual membership) - 65 rubles as an entrance fee and 35 rubles annually
• affiliates -"collective membership" - 200 r. and 100 r. respectively
• BESIG + 35 r. and 15 r. for individuals and 100r. and 50r for affiliates)
• Contact info, ##
• List of members
• Plans, reports, etc

Next session: Presenter: Tatiana Alexeevna Grebneva, Representative of IREX
Presentation: how to get information about grant awarding organizations. (See 2 brochures)

Presenter: Pestrikova Valentina Ivanovna, Deputy Director of Volga NGOs association. Address 443041 Samara, Leninskaya St., bl. 137/44 area code: (8462) (OF: 32-31-89, T/F: 33-25-08, e-mail: <povolzje@ssu.samara.ru>

Presentation: "Development as interaction: formation of a coalition."

The purpose of the seminar was the setting up an ELT coalition that will enhance coordination, all activities and efforts of EL Teachers in order to facilitate their professional growth. Now we have a number of small associations. We need an umbrella organization.

The training was interactive and included the following assignments:

First task was to describe how you feel at the moment: interested. missing home already, sleepy, tired a bit, ready to participate, thinking of ideas of implementation.

Second task was to write a few words about your expectations of today's training session.

Agenda: the type of association we need: mission, goals, types of activities. The mission is the statement of an organization that outlines its goals and activities.

Next assignment: Teamwork to formulate the mission of the future organization: each participant should fill out the questionnaire for defining the mission of the ELT umbrella association (15 min):

1. Spend a few minutes to define your idea about the mission of the association.
2. Your draft mission reflects the expected activities and unique characteristics of the association. Write some words defining:

1. Values of organization
2. People it embraces
3. Opportunities of the organization
4. Unique features

3. Discuss with your colleagues and agree on the above-mentioned items.
4. Edit the mission reflecting all your expectations.

Next assignment: new teams are formed and asked to discuss results of questionnaires to define the mission. The result (definition of the mission) should be put on poster paper. (20 min)

The teams presented their definitions highlighting the keywords of the mission: coordination of joint efforts, professional growth, interaction and support, development of international relations. Three versions were presented, one was chosen as the best by majority vote and established as the base draft. Then an editing group was formed to make the final version of the mission.

Next assignment: SWOT analyses (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) - to determine the challenges of establishing the association and how to overcome the obstacles. Each participant got a SWOT form to be filled out within 20 min: Are we able to form our association? Our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, expected risks and threats. The participants discussed SWOTs and drew up their complete list followed by formulation of the expectations of the association in 3 years time.

Next assignment was a role-play when the participants were divided into 2 groups: association members and executive board and asked to discuss the first 10 activities of the association and their potential implementation. It was the role-play "AQUARIUM" when the groups could watch in turn each other's discussions.

The second half of the day was devoted to possible sources of money:

• State and municipal funds
• Donations from charitable organizations
• Sponsors
• Membership fees
• Association commercial activities

According to the law NGO's structure can be as follows:

Mission Statement of "Umbrella" organization is: To unite EFL teachers of Western Russia in order to coordinate the activities of regional associations, enhance professional development, create a website with current information and methods, establish partnerships with international organizations, represent the interests of Russian EFL teachers in Russia and abroad, as well as to influence state policy in EFL teaching in the Russian federation.