Armenia

http://www.britishcouncil.org/eumd-information-background-armenia.htm

3/08 English is considered an important tool for approximation to international standards

of education, therefore English is taught in schools from the age of seven. The hours
spent on teaching English vary from two to five hours a week. In the examination at the
end of intermediate school, about 70 percent of students take English as their foreign
language. English is also taken by many students in the examination at the end of
secondary school.

http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=learn.wherepc.easteurope.armenia

Armenia
Armenia, the smallest of the former Soviet Republics, is in the midst of historic change.
In the 1990's, Armenia survived a devastating earthquake, a war and blockade, chronic
shortages of power and an economic collapse. In spite of these set backs, Armenia is
making progress in its transition to a market economy. Armenians recognize the
importance of English fluency and economic development, as well as the need for
preventative health and preserving natural resources. The Peace Corps responds to these
needs with programs that develop the country and its people's ability to support business
development and education, and to address challenges in health and environmental
sectors.

Education
The Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) project was initiated in 1992 at the
request of the Armenian government to increase the quality of English education
programs throughout Armenia.

Volunteers emphasize development of English communication in a variety of ways:

elementary and high school classroom teaching, English clubs, in-service teacher
trainings, assisting applicants to apply for exchange programs, and by setting up networks
with international agencies to address a range of social issues.
http://webs.uvigo.es/ssl/actas1997/06/Petrossian.pdf

From BILINGUALISM AND LANGUAGE PLANNING IN ARMENIA

Gayane Petrossian1
Yerevan State University, Department of Romance-Germanic Philology

The main language used in school and institutions of higher education now is
Armenian. But it is not, of course, the only language taught at school. Russian as a
second language is compulsory at school in the first grade. A third foreign language
(mostly English) is compulsory in second or third grades. The language policy in
Armenia encourages the schoolchildren and students to also study a foreign language. In
most schools English is taught as a foreign language, in some others French or German,
and even Persian. It must be noted, however, that unfortunately schools do not offer much
opportunity for language learning (lack of textbooks, competent teachers, normal
conditions, audio and video apparatus). After leaving school most young people are not
able to speak either the second or the third language taught at school. In order to reach the
stage of understanding and especially speaking and writing they have to develop
language skills by taking private lessons, attending courses, etc. It is amazing, but a lot of
teachers of English testify that applicants for institutions of higher education manage to
learn a foreign language (more or less) in nine or ten months, covering the school
program, which was to be learnt in the period of eight years, and successfully pass their
entrance exams. So, much work must be done concerning educational programs. Perhaps
the whole program of bilingual education should be changed.. One of the main factors
influencing language maintenance is social status and economic status closely related to
it. As schools do not offer much, those who want to learn a foreign language have to take
private lessons, which not many can afford. And of course, last but not least is the
prestige value of mastering internationally accepted languages like English,
French, Spanish, German.
http://elf.georgetown.edu/projects/ay07-
08projects/Europe_Eurasia/Armenia_Russian-Armenian_Slavonic_University.html

AY 2007-2008 Projects - Europe/Eurasia

Country Armenia
City Yerevan
Host Institution Russian-Armenian Slavonic University

Project Description
The EL Fellow will teach Communicative English and a theoretical course on teaching
methods of communicative English and academic writing or any other course within
applied linguistics to pre-service and some in-service teachers of Russian-Armenian
Slavonic University. The goals are to introduce modern English teaching methodology to
a traditional classroom and transfer the skills to in-service teachers of the department;
contribute to the development of a democratic citizen by improving teaching of English
and thus availing new information resources to the young audiences; and help establish
American Studies curricula. The EL Fellow is expected to expose pre-service and in-
service English teachers to new methods of TEFL. As a result of the project the host
institution expects to see more aggressive usage of new methodology in TEFL at the host
institution and more teachers of that institution changing their traditional approach to
teaching English to a more interactive student-centered one. The EL Fellow will work
closely with pre-service students during their practicum classes in order to identify the
problem areas and make recommendations for improvement. Interest towards American
English will be increased by introducing some basics of teaching English through
American Studies. The EL Fellow will prepare two different courses for in-service and
pre-service teachers: (a) Methods of Teaching Communicative English; and (b) Academic
Writing for undergraduates. Another course on American Culture and Civilization will be
a useful contribution to the English program. The EL Fellow will deliver workshops for
teachers on the subjects of interest to teachers (targeting needs areas). The host institution
expects that the EL Fellow will teach communicative English to 3rd and 4th year students
of English Department; teach academic writing to 3rd year students of English
Department; teach a course on American Studies to 3rd year students of English
department; help develop course guides utilizing American Studies for teaching English;
and train young in-service teachers of the department on new methodologies.
http://elf.georgetown.edu/projects/ay07-
08projects/Europe_Eurasia/Full_Armenia_Yerevan_State_Medical_University.html

AY 2007-2008 Projects - Europe/Eurasia

Country Armenia
City Yerevan
Host Institution Yerevan State Medical University

Project Description
The goal of the project is to contribute to the quality of medical education in Armenia by
developing the best strategies of teaching English to current university faculty and
medical residents and by training young English faculty in new methodologies to make
the teaching and learning process more effective. The project is to expand the teaching of
medical subjects in English through improvement of the teaching of English to faculty,
medical residents, and through enhancing the language teaching skills of young English
teachers of the university. The EL Fellow will work with young English teachers through
seminars/workshops in the methodology of English language teaching focusing on all
four skills of TEFL, i.e. speaking, writing, reading, and English comprehension. These
will be weekly meetings two hours each. The EL Fellow will teach English speaking to
university faculty with a goal of increasing their comprehension and communication
skills. A focus on medical terminology and content is expected. Each group will meet
once a week for two hours. The EL Fellow will teach English speaking to medical
residents with a goal of increasing their comprehension and communication skills. A
focus on medical terminology and content is expected. Each group will meet once a week
for two hours. As a result of the EL Fellow Project the percentage of the faculty that can
redesign their courses and deliver them in English is expected to increase. The usage of
English language professional materials as well as scientific articles should expand
through various specialties. The English teachers should be equipped with up-to-date
skills to teach English more effectively to their medical audience. The medical residents
should be able to communicate with medical vocabulary and be ready to make
presentations in English. As an additional activity the EL Fellow will be asked to look at
the curriculum and assist with developing tips for English teachers to improve the
teaching process.

Project Objectives
To enhance the language teaching skills of young English teachers of the university by
familiarization with new methods and approaches, which includes learning new methods
of teaching speaking, reading, writing, and comprehension skills; practicing the new
skills through classroom activities and home assignments; developing skills of adapting
various situations to different teaching methods; combining various methods to reach the
same goal; working in teams to encourage joint results; formulating strategies of
teaching English to various audiences (students, professors, residents, and mixed groups);
using Internet resources to obtain new information and produce new knowledge; and
developing short lesson plans. To expand the teaching of medical subjects in English
through improving the teaching of speaking and comprehension skills to university
faculty and medical residents, which includes improving students English speaking and
comprehension skills; teaching through developing tasks in which students will utilize the
medical terminology and tools; defining key terminology in the teaching process;
creating interactive learning environment where students can benefit from group
activities/projects and can involve in professional discussions in English; and developing
presentation skills.

About the Host Institution

The Yerevan State Medical University is the only state academic institution of higher
learning in medicine in Armenia. Although there are several private medical schools in
the country, this university is the most prestigious educational institution, which provides
a medical degree program. To date, the university has trained over 25,000 doctors, of
whom about 1,400 are citizens of twenty-six foreign countries. There are more than 3,000
students studying at the university and about 1,500 university faculty staff including
training support staff members. There are four departments divided into sixty-four chairs
covering specialties in general medicine, stomatology, and pharmacology. The university
seeks international recognition and has been cooperating with European medical
institutions on various programs. As a result there was a shift from Russian-language
materials to the English-language ones. To enhance international cooperation and create
opportunities for student changes and faculty training, the university joined International
Association of Universities in 2000. Besides European organizations the university also
cooperated with the Medical Board of California in the U.S. The English Language
Department has seventeen teachers, the majority of which are young faculty members
who have not participated in teacher training programs. Considering the limited resources
the university is not in the position of initiating and covering costs for training the
teachers. The U.S. Embassy considers this institution a strategic one. The U.S.
Government has made substantial contributions in creating a public health sector in
Armenia, however, very little was done to equip the faculty with specific English
language skills to provide for international communication, to make use of a vast
database of scientific knowledge, and to help the local academia integrate in world-wide
scientific dialogue. Health is a primary human value which has a global importance.
Improved English teaching will significantly contribute to the integration of the local
medical community in the global health network.
http://elf.georgetown.edu/projects/ay08-
09projects/Europe_Eurasia/full_description.html

Armenia
City Yerevan
Host Institution Yerevan State Medical University
Type of Project Fellow
Project Dates September 2008 June 2009

Project Focus
English for Speaking, Medical English, Reading/Writing/Listening

Project Description
The goal is to expand the teaching of medical subjects in English through improving the
teaching of speaking and comprehension skills to university faculty and medical
residents. This includes:
- Improve students English speaking and comprehension skills
- Teach through developing tasks in which students will utilize the medical terminology
and tools
- Define key terminology in the teaching process
- Create interactive learning environment where students can benefit from group
activities/projects and can be involved in professional discussions in English
- Develop presentation skills
The EL Fellow will teach English speaking to four different groups: (1) university
faculty, (2) medical residents, and (3) university affiliated practicing doctors, and (4)
senior year students - with a goal of increasing their comprehension and communication
skills. A focus on medical terminology and content is expected. Each group (there will be
several subgroups in the first three groups) will meet once a week for two hours. These
duties will include developing a set of materials that would reflect different levels of
English in these four groups as well as the content specific to their medical background
and performance. Although the primary goal is to develop English speaking skills, the
teaching should also reflect other three aspects of English language teaching, i.e. reading,
writing, and comprehending. The goal is to enhance the language teaching skills of
young English teachers of the university by familiarization with new methods and
approaches. This includes:

- Learn new methods of teaching speaking, reading, writing, and comprehension skills
- Practice the new skills through classroom activities and home assignments
- Develop skills of adapting various situations to different teaching methods
- Combine various methods to reach the same goal
- Work in teams to encourage joint results
- Formulate strategies of teaching English to various audiences (students, professors,
residents, and mixed groups)
- Use Internet resources to obtain new information and produce new knowledge
- Develop short lesson plans.

The EL Fellow will work with young English teachers through seminars/workshops in
the methodology of English language teaching focusing on all four skills of TEFL, i.e.
speaking, writing, reading, and comprehension. These will be weekly meetings two hours
each. The EL Fellow will also identify two or three young faculty members with whom
he will work on materials development and adapting new materials to the existing
curriculum requirements. On occasional basis, the EL Fellow will be asked to do
workshops for the teachers of the Association of English Language Teachers of Armenia,
American Corner, English Clubs, and other US Government supported events, which
thematically conform to the EL Fellows background.

Project Objectives
As a result of the EL Fellow Project the percentage of the faculty that can redesign their
courses and deliver them in English is expected to increase. The usage of English
language professional materials as well as scientific articles should expand through
various specialties. The English teachers should be equipped with up-to-date skills to
teach English more effectively to their medical audience. The medical residents should be
able to communicate with medical vocabulary and be ready to make presentations in
English. As an additional activity the EL Fellow will be asked to look at the curriculum
and assist with developing tips for English teachers to improve the teaching process.

About the Host Institution

The Yerevan State Medical University is the only state academic institution of higher
learning in medicine in Armenia. Although there are several private medical schools in
the country, this university is the most prestigious educational institution, which provides
a medical degree program. To date, the university has trained over 25000 doctors, of
whom about 1400 are citizens of twenty-six foreign countries. There are more than 3000
students studying at the university and about 1500 university faculty staff including
training support staff members. There are four departments divided into sixty-four chairs
covering specialties in general medicine, stomatology, and pharmacology. The university
seeks international recognition and has been cooperating with European medical
institutions on various programs. As a result there was a shift from Russian-language
materials to the English-language ones. To enhance international cooperation and create
opportunities for student changes and faculty training, the university joined International
Association of Universities in 2000. Besides European organizations the university also
cooperated with the Medical Board of California in the US. The English Language
Department has seventeen teachers, the majority of which are young faculty members
who have not participated in teacher training programs. Considering the limited
resources, the university is not in the position of initiating and covering costs for training
the teachers. The US Embassy considers this institution a strategic one. The US
Government has made substantial contributions in creating a public health sector in
Armenia, however, very little was done to equip the faculty with specific English
language skills to provide for international communication, to make use of a vast
database of scientific knowledge, and to help the local academia integrate in world-wide
scientific dialogue. Health is a primary human value which has a global importance. The
US Embassy believes that improved English teaching will significantly contribute to the
integration of the local medical community in the global health network.
http://elf.georgetown.edu/projects/ay09-10projects/EUR/index.html

Armenia
City Yerevan
Host Institution Yerevan State Medical University
Type of Project Fellow
Project Dates September 2009 June 2010
Project Focus

ESP Medical English

Project Description
The objective is to expand the teaching of medical subjects in English through improving
the teaching of speaking and comprehension skills to university faculty and medical
residents. This includes:

- Improve students English speaking and comprehension skills

- Teach through developing tasks in which students will utilize the medical terminology
and tools
- Define key terminology in the teaching process
- Create interactive learning environment where students can benefit from group
activities/projects and can involve in professional discussions in English
- Develop presentation skills.

The EL Fellow will teach English speaking and comprehension to four different groups:

(1) university faculty,

(2) medical residents,
(3) university affiliated practicing doctors,
(4) senior year students - with a goal of increasing their comprehension and
communication skills.

A focus on medical terminology and content is expected. Each group (there will be
several subgroups in the first three groups) will meet once a week for two to four hours.
These duties will include developing a set of materials that would reflect different levels
of English in these four groups as well as the content specific to their medical
background and performance. The EL Fellow will also offer a special training program
for graduate students and faculty on preparing for international medical seminars,
conferences, and exchanges. Although the primary goal is to develop English speaking
skills, the teaching should also reflect other three aspects of English language teaching,
i.e. reading, writing, and comprehending. Secondary project duties will include working
with: Workshops/Seminars. The objective is to enhance the language teaching skills of
young English teachers of the university by familiarization with new methods and
approaches. This includes:

- Learn new methods of teaching speaking, reading, writing, and comprehension skills
- Practice the new skills through classroom activities and home assignments
- Develop skills of adapting various situations to different teaching methods
- Combine various methods to reach the same goal
- Work in teams to encourage joint results
- Formulate strategies of teaching English to various audiences (students, professors,
residents, and mixed groups)
- Use Internet resources to obtain new information and produce new knowledge
- Develop short lesson plans.

The EL Fellow will work with young English teachers through seminars/workshops in
the methodology of English language teaching focusing on all four skills of TEFL, i.e.
speaking, writing, reading, and comprehension. These will be weekly meetings two hours
each. The EL Fellow will also identify two or three young faculty members with whom
s/he will work on materials development and adapting new materials to the existing
curriculum requirements. The EL Fellow will also lead an English Club where series of
Grays Anatomy or another film series on a medical theme will be shown to and
discussed with students. On occasional basis, the EL Fellow will be asked to serve on
panels of the US Government exchange programs as well as conduct workshops for the
teachers of the Association of English Language Teachers of Armenia, American Corner,
English Clubs, and other US Government supported events, which thematically conform
to the EL Fellows background.

Project Objectives
As a result of the EL Fellow project the percentage of the faculty that can redesign their
courses and deliver them in English is expected to increase. The usage of English
language professional materials as well as scientific articles should expand through
various specialties. The English teachers should be equipped with up-to-date skills to
teach English more effectively to their medical audience. The medical residents should be
able to communicate with medical vocabulary and be ready to make presentations in
English. As an additional activity, the EL Fellow will be asked to look at the curriculum
and assist with developing tips for English teachers to improve the teaching process.

About the Host Institution

The Yerevan State Medical University is the only state academic institution of higher
learning in the area of medicine in Armenia. Although there are several private medical
schools, this university is the most prestigious educational institution, which provides a
medical degree program. To date, the university has trained over 25,000 doctors, of
whom about 1,400 are citizens of twenty-six foreign countries. There are more than 3,000
students studying at the university and about 1,500 university faculty staff including
training support staff members. There are four departments divided into sixty-four chairs
covering specialties in general medicine, stomatology, and pharmacology. The university
seeks international recognition and has been cooperating with European medical
institutions on various programs. As a result there was a shift from Russian-language
materials to the English-language ones. To enhance international cooperation and create
opportunities for student changes and faculty training, the university joined International
Association of Universities in 2000. Besides European organizations the university also
cooperated with the Medical Board of California in the U.S. The English Language
Department has seventeen teachers, the majority of which are young faculty members
who have not participated in teacher training programs. Considering the limited
resources, the university is not in the position to initiate and cover costs of training for the
teachers. The US Embassy considers this institution a strategic one. The US Government
has made substantial contributions in creating a public health sector in Armenia, however,
very little was done to equip the faculty with specific English language skills to provide
for international communication, to make use of a vast database of scientific knowledge,
and to help the local academia integrate into world-wide scientific dialogue. Health is a
primary human value which has a global importance. The Embassy believes that
improved English teaching will significantly contribute to the integration of the local
medical community in the global health network.
http://www.culturalpolicies.net/web/armenia.php?aid=422

4.2.2 Language issues and policies

The Law of the Republic of Armenia on Language was adopted on 3 March 1993, under
which the state language of the Republic of Armenia is Armenian and the official
language is literary Armenian. The second language is Russian, which the majority of the
population can speak. Among the new generation, the number of people with knowledge
of other foreign languages, particularly English, French and German, is gradually
increasing.

The Language State Inspectorate, attached to the Ministry of Science and Education,
manages the language policy, decides the criteria and controls the execution of the
Language Law.

Compared with the Soviet period, the usage of the Russian language has noticeably
declined, although Russian is still taught in secondary and higher education institutions,
the Russian press and literature is published, Russian radio programmes are broadcast,
and some private TV channels broadcast Russian-speaking films without Armenian
subtitles. In Armenia, which is described as being a language homogenous country, many
foreign language papers and magazines are published, such as the Russian "Respublica
Armenia", "Urartu", "Golos Armenii", "Novoye Vremya" and other newspapers,
"Literaturnaya Armenia", "Yerevan", "Afisha", "Armyanka" magazines, Yazidi "Lalesh",
"Ezdikhana" ("The voice of Yazidis" in Armenian), Kurdish "Rya Taza" (New way),
"Mijagetq" (Armenian-Kurdish), Ukrainian "Dnipro", "Magen David" ("The star of
David" in Russian) of the Jewish community and the Greek "Byzantine inheritance".

Currently, there are no major issues in Armenia relating to foreign languages and other
cultures. During the Soviet period and, especially, following 1988 there was a struggle
against the use of the Russian language although, following independence, this struggle
ceased (at present, the Russian press in Armenia is even stronger than it was during
Soviet years). Besides the English language, a number of other foreign languages are
taught in the institutes of higher education and the centres operate for teaching French,
Spanish, German and Italian, and cultural unions operate.

The existing legislation does not prohibit the language usage of minorities; the state
language supremacy is in harmony with the language preservation of national minorities,
the international right of mutual respect towards all cultures and the language-political
norms of the European Union. In general, each non-Armenian resident of Armenia freely
enjoys the entire international and national rights provided for national minorities, but the
state offers additional financial support only to the national minorities that meet certain
guidelines. These guidelines are developed on the basis of the main principle that if a
national minority in any settlement is 15% or more of the population and, if in any small
settlement with a population of 2 000 people, the national minority is represented by at
least 300 people, then this minority will receive financial support from the state budget to
realise their educational, identity protection and other programmes. In Armenia, the
Russian, Yazidi and Assyrian ethnic communities meet these guidelines.