Monthly seminars held this winter

There were couple of seminars this winter: Sociolinguistics for EFL teachers, run by Phillip Hains (Peace Corps Volunteer) and Justice:  A Journey in Moral Reasoning, hosted by Rebecca Gong (Peace Corps Volunteer). Although there were not many attendees but both seminars introduced some fascinating ideas. E.g. what the reasons are of close and loose relationship with people; who the people are that you have loose relationship and why? These very questions were discussed with Phillip.

And there were hot debates on the attitude of authorities, family to some personal problems or even tragic situations. There was an idea that if a person who is involved into tragedy is familiar to you or identified then you would do your best to safe him/her. But if you treat people like a crowd then you would consider them like a mess not very important matter. And there's a chance that the crowd would be sacrified for the sake of the country. Would you agree? These questions were discussed with Becca! join us at the conference where we would continue this discussion!

Computer and Web Technology in EFL classroom for rural teachers

TESh gained Hornby Trust Funds, British Council, Kazakhstan, and is the provider of the training. Together with the Centre of New Technology Implementation into Education we arranged the seminar for 21 teachers  from Kentau, Turkestan, Dzetysaj, Sairam and Lenger. These days a training is successfully going on at the Academy of languages KUFN.

Seminar participants are getting new knowledge and skills in teaching English FL with the help of computer software and internet. I'm happy they've enjoyed working with HotPotatoes and developed various vocabulary and grammar exercises with Jmix, Jmatch, Jcross and other tools. Another amazing platform they tried was google.doc. Participants tried to write a document and make corrections on-line.I must add that seminar materials are compiled on the basis of 3 trainings arranged by the British Council: Professional Training Programme (Almaty, 2001-2003), 'Bringing Technology into the EFL classroom' (Hornby School in Kolomna 2007) and English for Teaching-Teaching for English (ETTE- 2008-).

Every time we try new tool we compare work on paper and computer. And everybody would agree that computer tools and software just assist teachers and learners to gain new knowledge and skills in English.

Much work should be done to implement computer tools and software into the teaching process and local classroom. Meantime I would thank the trainees for their enthsiasm and kind support in conducting the workshops.

Follow the link to see a collection of pictures

Merry Xmas

Merry Xmas and Happy New Year!
We send our warmest greetings to all the members and learners at TESh!

On the 30th December there was a Xmas party arranged by learners of Access MS Programme. The program of the party was fully scheduled. Learners did crosswords, solved puzzles, and definitely played numerous games and demonstrated their talents in dancing and signing. Another joyful activity was the contest among Santa Clauses (Zach Sheid and Phillip Hains). They competed in dances, their strengths and mind.

But the most exciting event was the performance of Puppy T heater. The script, costumes and decorations were created by learners themselves. And we express our gratitude to Amina Abelhanova and Enlik Kudajbergenova, who greatly assisted their teachers Sophia Lochilova and Anna Kaprielova in arranging rehearsals and decorations.What is more learners with their tutors demonstrated their performance 'New Year Forest' in the orphanage house. A bit detailed report and just their impressions on this event I'll ask learners, plyers to write themselves.

Happy New Year!