What are my students thoughts?

"To teach English, this dream originated, because of my English teacher. She spoke English very well, and I wanted also to be a teacher of English.

Now I am a teacher. I have already understood the difficulties and hardships of this profession. I began to appreciate my teachers more than ever. I am going to bring benefit to the society.

In my teaching experience, there are any teaching strategies left. It is becoming to teach my students harder, because the ideology of Islam religion dominates in all sphere of life. My students are religious, they appreciate humanism more than other things. They are less interested in Universe studies. For example, one time, I suggested my students to decorate our auditorium, and to make a student’s corner. I said that one sheet will be for an excellent student. According to their attendance, attitude, knowledge, leadership skills, we rate them at the end of month, and hand up the photo of this student and information about him/her. Nonetheless, one of my best students denied it, she said that many students don’t want it and they don’t want to be on the poster and to be a star among the students. I thought about any motivation. One time I said that we have to be tolerant; we should support each other and follow their responsibilities.

In different kind of situations, I feel that I am losing my teaching philosophy and I think about myself: “Why am I teaching?”, “Why am I working as a teacher?” My work is not so appreciated. I do not stop teaching and my students will understand the role of education, the time will come. Teachers are optimists and our work will be appreciated." 

Dubanakulova Akmaral

"Teacher is a person whose job is to teach, especially in a school or college. Teaching is a work of a teacher, or ideas and beliefs that are taught by sb/smth. :Philosophy" means the study of ideas and beliefs about the meaning of life, or a set of beliefs that tries to explain the meaning of life or give rules how to behave. So, there are many different kind of professions, by I liked to be a teacher. It was my dream from my childhood. I tried to teach students in a village and I enjoyed it. When I studied at the University I thought that to work is easier than to study, but it is not.To be a teacher is very difficult task and responsible job. In different groups ther are some students who misbehaved , most of them are from the town.We teachers, have to find a common language with them. We have to find a way to work individually with each student. Every teacher has their own teaching philosophy. Everybody tries to do his or her own best while teaching students. As in proverb says: "Practice make perfect". Day by day, year by year, while teaching learners and I will learn myself, because every year we have new learners, new seminars, new books and new materials that we use. Every each lesson is different, because studets are different.

My teaching philosophy is making a warm atmosphere with my students and getting, giving a pleasure at the class.To create this atmosphere, I am trying to learn more and more about new activitiesfrom seminars. I will try to use them in my classroom. I want my students to learn and get something new. In future they will educate their children, our future generation.

The main thing is challenging our students/learners to be well-ducated and valuable  person in our society. We are all teachers of English language have to improve language skills and to work hard as we can. In conclusion, I have never rgreted my choice to be a teacher. I love my profession very much."

Dzhunusova Mirgul 

"Educating others is a responsibility that should be taken seriously and with care. I believe that all students have the ability to be successful, they simply need to tap their potential. I expect excellence from each student and in return I try to provide guality teaching through my lessons.
All the students are capable of learning or they have the ability to be successful. If I expect my students to work hard, my students will turn work hard. If I don't expect much from the students, they will not work or show their ability. Always, I try to encourage students to strive for excellence in the class.
I strive to develop and deliver quality of teaching through all my lessons. I think, the quality of my teaching is my students' success. Therefore, excellence as an educator begins with quality and preparation. We must know what to teach in the class or we have to have a solid understanding of the subject.
I asked my students such kind of questions. Are you interested in English? Why are you interested in English? Is it necessary for you? They answered that English language is a world language. They should know all about English language, of course, to read, write, and speak. They need English language throughout of their life, because some of them want to be a prime-minister, some of them want to be a businessman and they won't need an interpreter. Some of them want to travell around London and the USA, therefore they need and they are eager to learn English.
After this discussion several kinds of thoughts and ideas came to my mind. As Chinese proverb says: "Tell me and I will forget. Show me and I may remember. Involve me and I will understand" that the best way for students to learn is active involvement.
Steping in my class they may feel safe to express their thoughts and be responsible for their own learning through activities and class discussions.
We also know that teacher should know or value the student's learning. Tht's why we'd know their interests, learning styles and backgrounds. With this knowledge our teaching will be better informed and more effective. In my teaching I use traditional assessment methods but sometimes I use alternative forms of assessment.
At the end I want to say that I should develop and deliver the quality of my teaching, then I may expect my tudents to work hard or just to tap their potential and encourage their strive for excellence and of course, I'd follow the Chinese proverb or students active learning hould be through many kinds of activities. One more important thing is to assess student's learning clearly and honestly.
All of these strives and beliefs combine my teaching philosophy."

Zaynidinova Irasagul

"I like foreign languages especially English from my childhood. I wanted to be an English teacher. There are many noble professions but I have chosen the prfession of a teacher. Firts of all, I think that it is very interesting, fascinating and exciting.
However, I want to tell about some difficulties in the process of teaching. From the beginning of my teaching, I figured out that teaching was very difficult. The teachers have to know their subject well. They should be kind, understandable, friendly, expereinced, tolerant, responsible, passinate, patient, and strict. This profession requires readiness, a lot of time. You should always fresh your knowledge and always practice. I collide with difficulties such as: in explaining grammar, inpresenting new theme and new words and class management. I became more expereinced teacher. Teaching philosophy is elf-reflective statement of your beliefs about teaching and learning.
One of the importance of teaching is contact with students. Pesronal contact with students is esential to my approach. I emphasize my availability for informal discussion and my willingness to help them sort out any problems they have with what they are learning. My expereince as a teacher is greatly enriched by this contact with students.
So, teaching philosophy should discuss how you put your beliefs into practice by including concrete examples of what you do in the classroom.
My teaching expereince is not enough yet and I wait more information and activites from this program. I want to be more expereinced. " 

Abdikarimova Malika

A new group , the same AEPE program

 

     I would like to introduce a new group of English  teachers who will improve their knowledge and skills in English language, in methodology of teaching, in leadership skills through organization of different projects and management skills by sharing leader's position.
The AEPE program(2) started on January from the orientation session for teachers where four groups -two of them from Jalal Abad, and two others from Osh, participated actively discussing the steps of the program. The program supported by ACCELS and finalists of the program have  passed  application process, test, and  interview. This program is free for finalists and alternates , but they have to give back their knowledge and skills into community  through projects, and other activities.

On this photo you can see the enhancement activity project that was organized by my group of teachers for teachers of English. All teachers  shared their thoughts and expereince of work in teaching songs into the classroom.

Each month we have in plan to organize a Native speaker club with a Native speaker, who will introduce different topics for discussion. At this month Ms. Paula, a Fullbright program fellow from the USA could lead a discussion about the social and economical problems in our country and how teachers deal with these questions at their classrooms. Discussion was very interesting and many teachers at the first time participated in such kind of "round-table". It was a great expereince for them that they will absolutely share with their students.Teachers will improve their language speaking skills and it  will be very useful to develop their critical thinking skills.

Our teachers have to organize and demonstrate an open lesson with the following positive and constructive feedback. Each month one or two teachers will do it turn by turn.

This "lesson" will help all of us-students and me as a trainer to look through the new prizm of teaching expereince and to develop my lessons in order to support my students in their teaching, in their presentation, and in their work with students.

At the lessons with my students- teachers, I am  planning to organize different methodological  sessions and to discuss and apply new knowledge and skills about lesson planning, learning styles, multiple intelligence skills, use of technology into the classroom, diversity in the classroom, and students thinking  in the learning process.

I am  going to analyze the trajectory of development in our course through the formative and summative feedback and reflection of my students (teachers). Each of our lessons full of different activities with new strategies of work that allow teaching to learn and improve their speaking , writing, reading, listening, and critical thinking skills.
Our next plan is to prepare a poster presentation and present a teaching philosophy, teachers' understanding of it and to analyze how it correlates with their teaching practice. I want my students to think about it deeper and I will observe their presentation and analazy their thoughts. On the base of it I will develop my next lesson plans to discuss issues that are difficult to my students.Teachers started to think deeply about their mission and teaching philosophy in matching with their classroom activities and outcomes of their work and they were very surprized about some questions that were posted to them through Interview, because they have never thought about some of them before.

1.      1. Why did you decide to become a teacher?
2. What is your teaching philosophy?
3. What is your philosophy on homework?
4. Are you a team player? If so, please give me an example.
5. What activities have you have implemented that reflect your philosophy of education as it relates to middle school students?
6. How do you motivate students?
7. What is your approach in classroom management?
8. What methods have you used or would you use to assess student learning?
9.  Which methods do you use in your classrooms to teach students?
10. What you do with students' misbehavior?
11. What are your greatest strengths?
12. What is your biggest weakness?
13. What do you like most/dislike most about teaching?
14. What are the essential requirements to teach a class?
15. Why do you want to work for your school?
16. How would you describe a successful teacher?
17. What will make you a great teacher in 10 years?

 
One of my student, Akmaral mentioned:
"I am really happy, that I am in this project and my dreams came true. In initial days, after the orientation, when I got home, I felt the sparks of desire for teaching appeared inside of me. I took my notebook and began to write, remembering what I have experienced through orientation. Later the days with English classes started. After participating each class at the lessons, I began understand the significance of my profession. I experienced it at the class and then used it at the classroom with my students. I started to feel sure of my English. In a short time, I have learned a lot of teaching skills. For example: to provide a feedback; to make a presentation; to present a speech, grammar, different games, and new words. We discussed how to work together; how to scan information and to write an essay. I have already experienced a lot of things which I wasn’t aware before. The experience and knowledge are really helping me in teaching process and my students also noticed it, they are getting to participate actively at class activities. My classes are becoming to be more interesting than before. I am also looking on my AEPE teacher, at her talent and strategies of work that I can use for my work. I am getting benefit from all activities of the project.
Thank you AEPE!"

 I am planning to improve: students' speaking skills through the 10 basic projects for presentation (each student has to present at the lesson a speech with a topic that they hoose themselves,and according to criteria we will assess their speech presentation);  their vocabulary by using new vocabulary  at each lesson; writing skills by writing essays; reading skills by working with reading comprehension activities; analytical skills by discussing different issues. At the same time different methodological sessions will imrpove students' level of teaching.We will discuss new ways of teaching and use of technology in the classroom.  I believe that my students-teachers will publish their own posts in their blogs that I will help them to create and we will publish the result of our work after each month.
We will be happy to receive a positive and constructive feedback on our progress of work that will encourage and motivate my students in their work and studying!
The best, Natalya

10-week online training course “AEI eLearning Su13 Assessment E-teacher”

  This course gave me the brilliant opportunities to learn deeper about types of assessment such diagnostic, formative, and summative and practice more by designing the tasks through rubrics, checklists, and other forms to check the student’s progress. I have learned the difference between traditional and alternative assessment and will try to use more the second one in my practice. I understood that feedback to students in oral or written form is very valuable for them because they can think about their challenges, their needs and progress achievement. Students after such analysis will be motivated to learn more and to work harder. They will use teacher’s office hours to ask questions, to ask for peer-assessment and comments on the written work. The role of feedback is enormous in learning process. Organization of work can be different- individual, work in pairs or small groups and to concentrate on the project –based learning when students have the goal, task, and they have to work collaboratively in order to find a solution and present it to others. Another approach that we not only discussed but tried practically is e-portfolio that is innovative form of teaching and learning. By working with portfolio, students learn to make changes and improve the work continuously according to the tasks, comments of teachers and pairs, and some recommendations for improvement of the work. Portfolio is available to other readers to see, comment through wiki site.

Action research is an activity that students enjoy accomplishing in my school, especially through scientific researching conferences and research work presentation to representative of community and VIP participants from International organizations. They usually present interesting ideas for the development of student’s research and recommend how it can be improved. At this course we also discussed importance of action research and different stages in its organization.

Our reflection and discussion at the course with my Teacher Nicole and colleagues around the world- this is the most unbelievable part of the educational process as we could share our thoughts, plans, social life attitudes, and prospective for the future growth. Motivational and inspirational comments on the forum encouraged me to work with enthusiasm and to improve my professional background.

“Natalia, you are the star of discussions with warm and encouraging comments to everyone. This is one of the fabulous aspects of teacher training online. We appreciate participants who take such an active interest in promoting collaborative learning.
Thank you for your collegiality and bright, enthusiastic presence in the threads!

Thank you for the thorough and admirably clear work on the tasks. We have all learned a lot of relevant detail about your professional situation and issues you face surrounding assessment. I am certain you’ll find direction through this course!

As you mention, proper models and examples of what can be said in different situations are important to motivation. In fact, through such examples we have the opportunity to model reflective, creative, and critical thinking.

You are the shining presence in the discussion that shows how well collaborative learning online can work. I like to let you all discuss the ideas together without bending the conversation toward "the teacher." So, it is wonderful to have you take time to respond to so many posts.
You make important points about authenticity and the necessity of strong professional development. As for assessment literacy, it is exactly the case that we need to offer non-threatening ways for in-service teachers to learn more about assessment. The more we know, the more precisely we can serve our students! (Nicole)”
In the article “Musing: A Way to Inform and Inspire Pedagogy through Self-Reflection” Jane Moore, Vickie Fields Whitfield mention the role of personal growth, flexibility, technology, professional development, and planning in a teaching process. If we consider one by one these elements, we can conclude that without reflection nothing can be done in order to find out the challenges and come up to achievements. Our reflection according to the requirements of feedback helped us to understand the meaning of the concepts and to analyze what was done in a course. My instructor wrote “Your reflection shows how deeply you’ve considered concepts learned in the course; you’ve woven these into your explanations well.  Your enthusiasm is tangible, and I have no doubt that your colleagues will also benefit from your having taken the course.  Yes, I think most of us originally had vague objectives and criteria that lacked detail.  Typical teacher prep programs just do not put enough emphasis on assessment.  It is rewarding for me to see how much you got out of the course design and praxis.  Thanks for taking time on the assignments and here’s to a bright future!  ~~Nicole”

I eager to implement my new knowledge and skills into my practice and share ideas and knowledge with my colleagues, Teachers of Advanced English Teaching Program (ACCELS), teachers of Khorogh (Aga Khan School), active leaders of our community and teachers /administrators of Southern Region in KR.

I am looking forward to study again and to pass other e-Teacher online courses that will help me and my trainees- educators in Kyrgyzstan to become innovative teachers who appreciate the student’s work and value student-centered approaches in the classroom which personalized learning and education for the progress in society. School that use formative assessment in practice lead to success in teaching and learning, and these are characteristics of effective and successful school. New ways of teaching by using assessment tools will influence on the local and then state level. The changes in educational system have to be initiated by pilot schools, enthusiastic and innovative teachers and their experience can be learned for the future achievement. Schools that do not make progress should be open to learn new experience and implement it in their practice. City Department and Ministry of Education of KR have to become partners with the innovative schools and teachers, who were educated in the best Universities of the world, in order to achieve positive results and realize the common goals of educational reforms.

The final, final project

AEPE students have worked as volunteers in order to provide a support in organization of the conference for the teachers of English from Southern region of KR. All of them included by preparation of coffee-break, counting of participants at the conference, presenting poster-papers and success story posters and so on. 

 All of them have presented a demonstrative lesson at the chosen schools or University and have  participated at the sessions that were organized by trainers from LINGVO center in Bishkek, and peace corps volunteer-trainer. At each evening different activities were organized for participants and AEPE students were responsible for a coordination of event.

As the result, they could improve their organizational skills, and team work. 

 



Eventually, students were graduated the program and were certified by awards at the official ceremony.

 The program was finalized and the future projects were developed

AEPE students at the project "Mass media in development of peacefull communication"

AEPE students (those who wished) could have an opportunity to participate in additional for them program “Mass media in development of peaceful communication”. 7 students attended and successfully completed requirements of 5 trainings, round table, and a conference. They have developed and improved their knowledge about the topics: Conflict resolution, globalization, leadership and active participation in community, ecological issues, social networks, e-mail, video-conference, distant education, blog as a tool for peaceful communication.

We discussed the differences between blogs: a teacher blog, student blog, class blog, and project or topic blog.Presentation of different blogs. Students create their own blog through blogger.com site by my supervision. They typed and published the first article at their blogs.Presentation of work on wikispaces.com. As a teacher they can use a wiki as a class homepage-a place where they can post messages and assignments as well as provide links to resources.  It can be a platform for work- where all tasks and assignments for the term will be posted and students will know ahead what the requirements are and the criteria of assessment according to their collaborative work in the classroom.Students worked on computers and created their own page in wikispace.

Students worked very actively in groups, they were interested in learning about technology  not only through lecture and presentation but by using “real technology: computers, Internet resources, projector for presentation. They learned themselves and helped as volunteers and facilitators to others in groups.

Students could work at computer with access to Internet.  

Debates through online discussion. http://newprojectforus.wikispaces.com were very interesting and motivating for future collaboration and work.  Students practiced by using this tool for discussion.

They practiced and have learned how to use Survey monkey questioneers.

Students were active and presented their ideas effectively.

As a result, the participants of the project Ak-Maral , Aizirek, Jypara, Almaz, Sagungyl, Ilhom, Kyzburak
• Increased the level of knowledge and skills in computer technology  by creating a discussion online and through e-mail, blogs, wikis, photovisi, picasa.com; delicious.com, and other sites.  Students could practice in using online and offline tools to work with computer, such as PPT, Games, essay writing, clustering.

They have improved the understanding of peace and world harmony. Have increased the level of knowledge to promote a  peace , ethnic tolerance through discussion and debate topics about tolerance , conflict and types of conflict persons , mediation , and peaceful projects through communication technologies , etc.
• They have developed a network between active teachers and activists in support of cooperation and promotion of peace .

• AEPE Students have proposed project ideas to work with students and teachers in schools and University. They are able to provide training to others, organize discussions, presentations, and apply their new skills in developing lessons plans by bringing technology into the classroom.

AEPE students summarized ideas and presented  their teaching model for their future lessons, that can be used in the classroom.  They introduced ideas that  can be used at the lessons and at extra-curricular activities in discussing peace education topics.

Those pupils who are visual learners would enjoy working with digital cameras, video, and online resources. Learners with good reflection skills will use blogs or build e-portfolio. Social learners will use chat, email, and social network sites.

Kinesthetic learners will use virtual tours, photo story, and animation (animoto).

This relationship between technology tools and learning styles can be applied and used effectively in each lesson by teachers who have learned to use it in their classroom.

It’s not a summer camp, it is a work and a training!!!

AEPE students had to wake up early and to go to bed very late, because it was an intensive course of professional development on teaching English at Issik-Kul, sanatorium Aurora at August, 2013. AEPE students improved their knowledge in grammar, vocabulary, and could learn better about methodology of teaching writing, reading, grammar, speaking, and listening. All of these questions were discussed by different examples and practical work. Students worked individually, in pairs, in groups, and presented their information to each other.
I had a chance to present a  topic : Digital learning in transition
Main points for discussion were:

• Introduction
• The role of Technology and Globalization in modern world
• Personalize learning, student-centered approaches of work by a pair work, group, team work, project-based work.
• Motivation and inspiring for , in, and about learning
• Bloom’s taxonomy and levels of learning and understanding
• Conflict issues and negotiation, peace education
• A program that will be organized for active leaders of society, leaders, teachers, and  students
• Opportunity to learn by creating e-mail, reflective blog, networking sites (Nicenet.org, wiki space, Facebook, etc.)
• Information about dates and time for the training
• Mission and vision of leaders in a modern society.
• Model of an active leader

They have created own proposal to work with teachers of southern region in Mamakeevo, Osh (for the future step that was realized in 3 days,29-31 July, 2013
The goals were:

·        To present “New English File” for teachers of southern region to enhance the teaching abilities

·        Provide methodological support to teachers of southern region through “New English file” book

·        Create a network between teachers of English language of different regions of Osh and Jalal- Abad oblast for exchanging teaching experience.

As a result,

·        Students have learned to work in a team, they support each other, work in a pair and help others.

·        Students worked very hard, they prepared handouts, cards, PPT presentations, etc in creative way; games, activities, they have learned to write and discuss a lesson plan , according to 4MAT (Positive aspect- their lesson plans at the beginning of the program were designed poorly)

·        Students have learned to work in a pair to conduct sessions

·        Students improved their knowledge of grammar, their skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing through all activities that were conducted to them at the training.

·        Students have learned how to use different methods and strategies of work in order to provide a lesson by student-centered  approaches

·        Students have learned how to write success story

·        Instructor published student’s ideas on the blog http://aepe2013.blogspot.com  where they reflected on the work during this project work.

·        Students developed network connection with teachers of southern region and shared their ides and teaching practice.

·        Students have learned how to use computer (to type, to prepare presentation, etc.)

·        They have organized themselves , their discipline was better

·        Students  have worked  as trainers with 12 teachers and practiced their skills

Discussion Club activity

Discussion Club activity

I am Reinhard Hohl, Australian and have had the pleasure of providing English native speaker topics to the Discussion Group at the AEPE for Teachers of English Language at schools and universities.
As a short description of some of the discussions, I describe the following,
During my group attendances, I described my impressions on the inter-relationship of the Age of Discovery,  Explorers and Colonialism, and the historical inheritance in the modern world.
In a following discussion I described the aura of London, its history, life and place in the current world. I grew up in London and it was with great pleasure describing my growing up experiences in the city.
I spent several years working in Papua New Guinea, and I held a video and descriptive discussion on the country, describing the lifestyle, short history, and progress in this ancient isolated interesting country.
 The attendees during my discourses, appeared interested, then followed with significant in depth questions with mirth and enjoyment – hopefully reasonably answered and clarified by myself. 
The role of native speaker in association with a language learning is to assist in the understanding of the language, expanding the aural appreciation of accents, dialects coupled with the phrasing, vocabulary and idioms in normal usage and  interaction.