Главная страница «Первого сентября»Главная страница журнала «Английский язык»Содержание №31/2003
 
POST FACTUM

American TESOL Expert Trains Saratov Teachers

On June 1–2, 2003, over 30 teachers of Young Learners in Saratov were lucky to be able to participate in a series of workshops conducted by Dr. Eleanor Black Eskey, California State University, Los Angeles Master of Arts program in TESOL. She was assisted by Dr. Burgess, her former graduate student. Dr. Eskey focused on teaching English through literature and content. Using two popular children’s stories, she demonstrated the way kids can be exposed to lots of language, including some difficult grammar issues, without even noticing it. The participants were introduced to effective techniques for pre-reading and post-reading activities. What was intended to be fun for Young Learners turned out to be fun for their teachers as well. They participated in all kinds of interactive communicative activities offered by Eleanor Eskey as a tool for language development. In their feedback the participants emphasized that the content-based approach can be applied to any age level as a very effective strategy of teaching English.

Due to Dr. Eskey’s masterful encouragement, the school teachers shared their professional experience with their colleagues. Nelly London of “Kristallic” Middle School demonstrated a video taken in her class on teaching US public holidays; Svetlana Deltsova of Saratov Lyceum of the Humanities shared her experience in dramatizing stories with 6-graders; Marina Ezhova, a teacher of a school in a small settlement, demonstrated some techniques of motivating less advanced students; Olga Prozorova, the manager of a private child-caring center for pre-school children, told the participants about the way English and American folklore can be used for teaching very young learners. The American experts’ keen interest in what is happening in teaching English in Saratov promoted lively discussions during coffee breaks and after the sessions.

Most of the workshop participants were members of the “Smart Kid” club, uniting Saratov English teachers working with young learners. English is now introduced into the curricula of all Saratov elementary schools, but the present-day in-service training centers don’t often offer courses focusing on teaching English in primary and middle school. That is why we strive for every opportunity to learn and borrow from competent specialists.

The loud applause for Dr. Eskey and her assistant Dr. Burgess at the end of the session showed our appreciation of their teaching gifts and sincere wish to share their expertise with us.

Our special thanks go to the English Language Office, Public Affairs Section of the US Embassy in Moscow who sponsored these workshops.

By Irina Sipakova,
Olga Shevchenko,
“Smart Kid” Club members