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!

2009-2010 TESh plan

Attached you'll find the Plan of work of TESh for 2009-2010 Academic Year.

You're welcome to join our events!

2009-2010 school year

That's a good news at TESh at the very beginning of the new school year. We've gained a grant on Access Microscholrship Program from the American Embassy to teach children from non-elite group, so this year we're teaching the 3d group of 14-18 year students. What is more, the number of students increased up to 50. So, it would be good if you can share this information among students and teachers.

Summer time was full of events, especially June. Our students together with 2 teachers, Olessya Voblikova and me, and Peace Corps Volunteer visited summer language camp, Orlyonok. Students enjoyed various and numerous activities in English. (There was a phrase of them: we could hardly imagine that so much could be done in English!) The most enjoyable for them were: Scavenger Hunt, Nature Art, Drama Evening. Not surprisingly, they enjoyed playing games with Jamy, Peace Corps Volunteer.
But the main idea was to develop their writing skills. So there were many tasks to learn new words and write a passage. And their final works were fantastic. We were highly impressed. They demonstrated not only language skills but their talents in drawing, design, composition. You're welcome to the album of pics to see their works.

2d Group of English Access MSP students award

It is the second year when the Access MSProgram for 14-18 year students sponsored by the American Government is run by our association.

On the 2d of March there was an award ceremony of the 2d group of high-school and university students who are enrolled on the Program. Students were greeted and awarded by the Assistant of RELOfficer Olga Paterova. But the most fascinating event was the cultural program developed by both groups of students. They prepared performances on different topics of Kazakh people life and traditions. As usual students demonstrated their talents in acting, singind and oratoric performance. All their scenes would be memorable, espeically 'Brightest bride' of Galymzhan, 'Aldar Kose' of Enlik, 'Commercials' of Vadim.

To view the pictures you are welcome to the album

Podcasts at EF lessons

I think podcasting is another tool for us to take up and practice in our classroom.

What is Podcasting?

Podcasting provides a means of publishing audio programs via the Internet. Users can automatically download podcasts (usually mp3 files) onto their computers and transfer these recordings automatically to portable music players such as iPods. Users can then listen to the files anytime and anywhere they choose.

Podcasting is especially interesting for English learners as it provides a means for students to get access to "authentic" listening sources about almost any subject they may interest them. Teachers can take advantage of podcasts as a basis for listening comprehension exercises, as a means of generating conversation based on students' reaction to podcasts, and as a way of providing each and every student diverse listening materials.

Following the link you'll find many ready-made podcasts for our classes
http://esl.about.com/od/englishlistening/a/intro_podcasts.htm