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Birthright Armenia Next Step Alumni Project
Next Step Report
Betterment of English in Schools of Armenia
Sponsor: Birthright Armenia
Participants: Chilingaryan, Shoghakat
Avagyan, Nare
Date of Report: November 9, 2011
Project Duration Date: June 27, 2011 – August 30, 2011
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
MISSION AND GOAL OF PROJECT
STEPS TAKEN TO MEET PROJECT GOALS
TARGET POPULATION
STRUCTURE/PLAN OF ORGANIZATION
STRUCTURE OF CLASS
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY
GRADUATION CEREMONY
WHY CONTINUE?
WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS?
FEEDBACK FROM STUDENTS
FEEDBACK FROM TEACHERS
BUDGET
RECEIPTS
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“Vision without action is a dream. Action without vision is simply passing the time.
Action with vision is making a positive difference”
MISSION AND GOAL OF PROJECT
o Provide opportunity for students in Armenia to develop a deeper
understanding of the English Language
o Create an environment for students to feel open and expressive, while
developing a deeper understanding of individual awareness
o Inspire and motivate youth to see newer possibilities for the future
o Help students improve language skills required for university entrance
tests as well as increase employment opportunities which require mastery
of the English language
STEPS TAKEN TO MEET PROJECT GOALS
Developing self-expression
o Creative writing assignments
! Example: “Where would you like to see yourself in 5 or 10 years?”
o Games which promote usage of vocabulary and interaction between
students in order to develop creativity and discover additional ways of
communication
o Group discussion and analysis of reading topics on “self-expression” – an
indirect way to inspire and introduce valuable ideas to students, while
improving communication skills in English
o Creating opportunities for students to socialize and bond with each other.
(Trip to Tsaghkadzor, class outdoors)
o Creating and acting out skits with different scenarios
• Inspire and motivate youth to see new possibilities for the future
o Sharing our own educational experiences through question/answer based
discussions
o Students sharing their own experiences (example: Haykuhi Harutyunyan
who studied abroad in the US through a program which gave students
from different cities in Armenia the opportunity to compete for a lifetime
learning opportunity)
Students introducing each other Students acting out different scenarios
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TARGET POPULATION
o Why High School?
! Transitions to real life – Students are in a transitional point where
they are preparing for university entrance exams and discovering
new opportunities. Support and guidance is important during the
transitional period, during which students are making serious
decisions about careers.
! Employment opportunities after high school; there is a higher
demand for proficiency in the English language.
! Communication with other professionals around the world: i.e:
internship opportunities, study abroad programs, (FLEX),
familiarity with field specific research (ex: pre-med students
reading articles on medical advancements, etc.)
o Why Hrazdan?
! Eager school staff – school #1 – known to be a challenging school
– students have eagerness to expand their academic horizons
! Lack of academic opportunities for ambitious students in Hrazdan
! Exchange of information with international students – Hrazdan has
relatively low exposure to tourists – hence not as much exchange
of ideas
o Why English?
! To increase global understanding
• English is the lingua franca in almost every country around
the world and thus the knowledge of English will allow
communication with a wide variety of cultures and
individuals
! Create new vision of life
o “A different language is a different vision of life.”
o Learning English language will give students in Armenia a
glimpse into the American culture and way of thinking. The
intention is not to wash away the rich Armenian culture that
already exists among the students, but instead it is to
introduce a new way of viewing the world that may
potentially open up new and bright ideas among the
students.
o A fully developed knowledge of English language can develop wider
career opportunities for individuals.
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STRUCTURE/PLAN OF ORGANIZATION
o Contacts
! Started with mission/goal of project
! Contacted interested schools in Armenia
! Approval from 3 participating schools
o Participating schools
! About 20 students from each of 3 Avag schools in Hrazdan
! Classes held at #1 High School
! Students were initially contacted by school directors to be
informed about orientations
o Orientations
! Separate orientations were held at each of the participating schools
during which the program objectives and goals were presented to
the students
! During the orientation, interested students were registered into the
program
With Mrs. Movsisyan (Director of Avag School #1)
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STRUCTURE OF CLASS
o Basic Level: For students with little or no knowledge of the language
o Advanced Level: For students who have had exposure to the language
whether through school or private lessons.
! Daily agenda
• “Do Now” warm up activity – written assignment about
specific topics – purpose was to have the students
independently work on thinking and writing allowing them
to review the vocabulary and grammar learned. Warm up
activity also consisted of class discussions about the
previous day or any topic chosen by the students.
• Reading passages – followed by translation and discussion.
Reading was often followed by a group activity where
students were given instructions pertaining to the passage
read in class (ex: handouts, written assignments, skits…)
• Class discussion about specific topics of interest – quote
translation and discussion, role plays, life stories, etc..
• Vocabulary – each day new vocabulary was presented (ex:
common nouns, verbs, adjectives – in addition to new
vocabulary learned from class exercises and discussions.)
• Exams – to test learned material – included grammar,
vocabulary, and reading passages
! Means of testing for improvements
• Written assignment first and last day of class
• Bi-weekly exams to test knowledge of learned material
Correcting sentences Classwork
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Students acting out skits Groupwork
Class-work Students taking an exam
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EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY
o Outdoor class
! Different environment to avoid monotonous activity
! Free expression of thought
! Allow for interaction time for students
o Excursion
! Trip to Tsaghkadzhor
! Break from studying
The purpose of the trip was to allow the students to interact and socialize with one
another in a setting outside of the classroom. It was an opportunity for everyone to get to
know each other better and it created a bonding opportunity for students and teachers.
Overall, the experience of planning and proceeding with the trip brought out important
characteristic traits from the students. Some students were very eager to support with the
planning of the trip. Many students gave good ideas on how to plan so as to assure
smooth flow. Other students played an active role in giving us guidance as to where to
locate various items that were necessary for the trip. It overall gave us, as the
teachers/leaders, an opportunity to observe the strengths of the students and how those
strengths show up in a team setting. When effective observations are made during such
an experience, it later supports the leader/teacher to apply this gathered knowledge in the
classroom in order to better understand how to interact with each individual student. In
addition, when the bonding activity is organized well, it creates an opportunity to connect
with one another on a deeper level which later will support students in the classroom as
they will feel more comfortable as a group.
Trip to Tsakhkadzor
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Visit to Kecharis Chopanuxi ride
Enjoying quality time in Tsakhkadzor Walk to Chopanuxi
Getting ready for lunch Enjoying lunch in fresh air
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GRADUATION CEREMONY
! Students who participated in the program throughout the entire
duration were given certificates of completion
! Selected students who excelled in the program were awarded with
additional certificates of excellence (including perfect attendance)
! Total of 6 students (from both classes) were awarded VivaCell
Calling Cards (1000AMD) for perfect attendance
The graduation ceremony consisted of certificate distribution for all the students who
participated and fully completed the program. Each student who was consistently present
to class received a certificate. We had a total of 50 graduating students.
Graduation Ceremony Group I Graduation Ceremony Group II
Surprise performance by students on graduation day
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WHY CONTINUE?
o The continuation of such a project is at high demand
o We received positive feedback from current students
o Students requested for the program to take place next year
o Need to invest in education system in Armenia
WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS?
o Participate in SKYPE chats with students to establish and maintain
communication
o Support and motivate students to organize/plan their own personal projects
o Give them guidance and listen to their ideas (this can easily be done
through facebook and SKYPE)
o Continue to share motivational stories from our lives in order to spark
creative ideas for our students as well as ourselves
FEEDBACK FROM STUDENTS
Anahit Sargsyan: “1.Learning English is important as it is an international language today
and it can comunicate people from different contries! 2. Program gave me not only
knowledges about English, but also it helped to created new relations and find new
friends! 3. It is very useful project, because it helps us to improve our lenguage, it is not
an ordinary lesson but it is olso a great experience.”
Ashot Yepiskoposov: “1.For me learning English is very important because it is the
international language. 2.I learned many means of the words,how make a sentence and
other important an helpfull things. 3.I think that you can continue this program and help
other pupils.Thank You very much!!!!!!”
Anna Meloyan: “Anglereni imacutyun@ indz ognel e nranov vor hima ayntex vortex es
sovorym em shat lav gitem angleren ev ognumm em myusnerin.”
Izabella Sargsyan: “Es sovoreci angleren shat xosakcakan barer.Dprocum miayn
qerakanutyun enq ancnum , bayc aystex sovorecinq angleren xosel.Shnorhakalutyun em
haytnum im usucichnerin!”
Varduhi Narimanyan: “Ays programi yntacqum es mec informacia staca USA-i
masin,amerikyan anglereni masin yev mi qani angam mecacri im anglereni pashar@ vori
hamar shaat shnorhakal em Nareic u Shoghikic.)
Diana Khachatryan: “karciqov angleren@ shaaaat anhrajesht lezu e,qani vor ayn
mijazgayin e.angleren@ Hayastanum hamarvum e otar lezu,sakayn shat ayl erkrnerum
ayn hamarvum erkrordakan kam arajnayin lezu.Karcum em vor shutov Hayastanum el
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ayn kdarna erkrordayin lezu,qani vor grete bolor ashxatavayrerum pahanjvum e anglereni
[email protected] shat mardik aysor irenc apagan tesnum en Hayastanic durs,vortex
angleren@ pahanjvox lezu e.AncamB es programic cerq bereci shaaat giteliqner,voronq
inc nerkayis anglereni parapmunqnerum ognum en.Cerq bereci nor @nkerner ev hacheli
usucichner voronq mer hamar naev @nkerner ein.Project@ ancnum er shaaat hiasqanch
xaxerov u cicaxov li,vochvoq cher cancranum ev cher poshmanum projectin
masnakcelu ,amarayin arcakurdner@ parapmunqnerin tramadrelu hamar.Karcum em vor
programi sharunakutyun@ partadir e ayl erexanerin hachuyq patcharelu ,giteliq
poxancelu hamar.”
Emma Khachatryan: “Engish is lenguage of comunication.It is important for everyone to
learn or improve his Enlish. This program help me to improve my English knowledges. Is
was a big opportunity for us and thank you Nare and Shoghik fot it. I hope you will
cotinue this program.”
Mariam Khazhakyan: “I think it is important because it's internetional language and
English is used in almost all countries Nare and Shoghik you are good teachers and I
know many children who wish to participate in your program... We and the other children
ask to <Depi Hayq> ,that the program continued .”
Haykuhi Harutyunyan: “1.Learning English and knowing talking in English is really
important. It is a 21 century language, it's international. You just got to know English if
you want to get good information, knowledge and new friends.
2. First thing I want ton say THANK YOU. I have probably said it like 100 times but I
am saying it again. Thanks to Nare, Shoghik and to people who sponsored and helped
this program to become real. This program helped me to a lot. I learned many English
common words expressions. I got to know many wonderful people and be friends with
them. I really enjoyed being part of that program 3. I think that you should continue this
program definitively. Students learn English at school in here but it is not enough and
usually they can't talk in English very well. This program helped many students improve
their English and start to talk in it easily than before. So we expect to see you here next
year too. You are doing a great job.Go ahead!! Good luck, Miss you very much!!.”
Anna Meloyan: “Es husov em vor myus amar noric klini nman cragrer.”
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FEEDBACK FROM TEACHERS
Nare Avagyan
It is hard to grasp the idea that what was just a simple idea about a year ago became a
reality – an experience that allowed me to grow in many ways. First and foremost, I feel a
sense of accomplishment for having taken a risk to work on a project with little
experience. The journey of organizing and planning the details of the project with a great
friend, allowed me to realize my own potential. The idea of giving back to Armenia has
always been a dream. What I realized after working in Armenia, meeting and interacting
with different people, is that it takes motivation and ambition to make what is just a
dream into something bigger – something that will motivate me so much more to
continue expanding my steps.
The success along with the obstacles faced during the planning of the project, including
the initial communication with the school directors in Hrazdan, allowed me to understand
my own strenghths and weaknesses. It was hard to explain the objectives and goals of a
project which we ourselves did not know much about – it was hard to predict how what
we envisioned would turn out to be once we started to work with the students.
Working with the students allowed me to see their ambition for knowledge, new
opportunities, and potential to succeed academically. Often times, we had class breaks
during which we discussed about different topics, where students would have to share
their opinions. I realized how day by day the students were becoming more confident in
expressing themselves. The interaction between the students, who were from different
schools, allowed them to exchange ideas, become more self-aware and also build
friendships.
Seeing the positive impact of the program on the students as well as on us, only motivates
me more to take part in bigger projects. I have become more aware of my potential to
make a difference. I look forward to engaging in other projects and continuing to work
with the intelligent, driven, and supportive people who contributed to the success of the
project. I especially thank Birthright Armenia, for the guidance throughout the planning
of the project, in addition to the financial support, without which the project would not
take place.
Shoghakat Chilingaryan
3 Reasons why others should take part in such a program as BESA
1) Influential position that will allow you to make a difference in the lives of others.
Placing myself in the role of teacher, I realized what an important position I was in
because of the fact that I could so easily influence a group of young students who have
the energy and motivation to grow and learn new things. Finding myself in such an
influential position made me more self-aware, in the sense that I constantly had
motivation to work and improve on myself so that what I project to my students would
be the most ideal version of me. I kept telling myself that however I project myself
during my interaction with my students, would be the messages that my students would
pick up from the experience. For example, if I gave myself the permission to let go of
my ego and be self-expressive by openly sharing with my students about my limitations
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and challenges, it would support them to overcome their limitations and feel
comfortable to express themselves as well. I constantly shared with them my
limitations of the Armenian language and asked for their support to enhance my
Armenian vocabulary and overall self-expression in the Armenian language. My intent
was to support my students to feel more comfortable to speak and self-express in the
English Language.
Being in a space where I can make a difference in the lives of others makes me feel
very good and gives me lots of motivation in my life. Teaching is one option that I
would highly recommend for others to consider if they also have the desire to make a
difference.
2) Opportunity to develop leadership skills
I was placed in this role with little knowledge of what its like to be a teacher other than
what I have observed from the teachers I have had in my life. This experience
supported me to gain and develop my leadership skills. The following is what I gained
from the experience.
a. Managing and leading students to a common goal (In our case learning
English)
b. Developing speaking and communication skills.
c. Developing skill to connect with a variety of individuals of various
personalities and learning types.
3) Opportunity to gain deeper understanding of the culture in Armenia and to connect
with the people
We were placed in all kinds of new experiences as we participated in the project. We
visited and communicated with the department of education opened up dialogues with
principles, teachers, staff members, and students in Armenia. This allowed us to
observe and understand the challenges that currently exist in the education system. We
also learned about the positive areas of the current education system in Armenia and we
will incorporate those techniques into our BESA project in order to further enhance the
quality of education we provide.
Finally by interacting with so many locals throughout the process of our journey, we
became even more enmeshed and felt more part of the culture in Armenia. Due to this
involvement, we gained a deeper understanding of the culture that is of the same root as
the culture we were raised with, yet has branched off in many directions that we did not
have the opportunity to understand because of the fact that we grew up in different
environments. The branches of our culture developed in different environmental
conditions from the branches of the culture that has developed in Armenia, yet there is
a common root that ties all of us together and gives us the opportunity to understand
one another on a level that other cultures cannot. With this common root as well as the
overall experience of meeting and working with locals in Armenia, we developed a
very strong understanding of what the culture is like in Armenia and this supported us
to connect with the people as well.
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BUDGET
Budget in USA
1) Basic Grammar Book - $19.80
2) Basic Grammar Workbook - $12.36
3) Basic Grammar Book - $30
4) Nonfiction Reading Compression – $8.99
5) Inferencing Workbook - $6.99
6) Sales Tax - $4.48
Total in USA: $82.62
Budget in Armenia (6/20/11 – 8/30)
7) Transportation (Yerevan-Hrazdan) –137,000 AMD a. 27,000 AMD (with different taxi drivers) b. 110,000 AMD (with primary taxi driver)
8) Class Excursion –37,600 AMD
a. 10,000 AMD (bus/transportation)
b. 15,000 AMD (Super market)
c. 750 AMD (bread)
d. 6,850 AMD (fruits+veggies)
e. 5,000 AMD (park fee for 4 hours)
i. To promote group activity
ii. Interaction, games, incorporate information based discussions (ex:
FLEX, Armenia-US exchange student opportunity
9) Other supplies – 1200 AMD a. 340 AMD (notebook)
b. 860 AMD (chalk, pens etc.)
10) Xerox/Copies of worksheets and reading handouts - 47,220 AMD
a. 22,660 AMD (with receipt)
b. 24,560 AMD (without receipt)
i. Copies were made for total 55 students
11) Communication with students and taxi driver – 6,000 AMD
a. Viva cell phone card
12) Certificates – 5,980 AMD
a. 4,600 AMD (50 sheets of Thick Paper)
b. 1,380 AMD (Print)
13) Gift for Principle – 2,000 AMD 14) Rewards for students with perfect attendance – 6,000 AMD
15) Information packets – 5,790 AMD
a. Packet is for further study (topic: grammar + vocab)
Total Armenia: 248,790 AMD = $692
Grand Total: $692 + $82.62 = $774
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Basic Grammar Workbook Monday, August 22, 2011 2:38 AM
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