English-language ITMO: first successes Maria Didkovskaia, Foreign Language Training Center, Director
EN.IFMO.RU
Testing – 500 staff members Groups by levels EAP & AW groups Studying for Cambridge exams Over 40 teaching staff – certificates Progress to higher levels New programs for staff, teaching in English (DD programs) Classes for teaching staff
EN.IFMO.RU
Testing – 150 staff members Groups by levels Studying for Cambridge exams Over 40 administrative staff – certificates Progress to higher levels Classes for administration
EN.IFMO.RU
Pre-testing – 250 students (pilot) Groups by levels Studying for Cambridge exams 10 best students – certificates Native speaker for the B2 groups New classes for students going abroad for DD programs English for Bachelors
Pilot – successful. All new bachelors –> 4 hours of English as of 2015 Analysis of administrative staff attendance and progress –> new requirements University Study Skills Course – for Bs and Ms Native speakers –> for teaching staff Designing EL syllabi of major subjects for 3 rd & 4 th yr Bs Something new? EN.IFMO.RU
Innovative approach to EL environment
Challenges? Opportunities? EN.IFMO.RU Resistance to change (institutional and personal) Insufficient level of English of teachers Initiation of interest in studying in EL in high-school children (contests, festivals etc) Involvement of students in international activities of ITMO University
There’s always room for improvement =) Maria Didkovskaia