News Archive 2005
We Wish You a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!Do you believe in wonders? Will you be surprised at beautiful Snow Maiden speaking fluent English? Have you ever dreamed of getting presents from real Santa Claus?
ACC Sunday School children have experienced all this at their Christmas and New Year party on December 25. Merry music, sparkling decorations, a wonderful New Year Tree and happy children dressed in fantastic costumes - the whole atmosphere was magic and fairy. Add here slim and modern Snow Maiden (Frieda) with interesting and funny games and lovely and generous Santa Claus (Daniel) singing and dancing so merrily - that was a real festival! After the party the festival moved to the Children Sector where a tea-table was arranged by the parents. The former said: "The party was a lot of fun and rather cognitive as well for our children have learned about Christmas traditions and new English words and phrases. Thank you!"
A visit to School
On December 8 the employees of ACC visited one of the faraway schools situated in the district of Sogra. "Foreign Languages: Open a New World" is the name of our traveling collection. The books on Grammar, Lexicology, Phonetics, Dictionaries and Textbooks, fiction and literature on country studying caused great students' and teachers' interest. The exhibition is aimed to work at school for three months.
Alongside there was presented a demo version "Kazakhstan in the Internet". The theme is to the point at the eve of the State Holiday the Independence Day. English web-sites on history, economics, politics and culture of Kazakhstan (www.akorda.kz., www.heritagenet.unesco.kz., www.kazakhstan-gateway.kz …) gave the auditory the opportunity to enrich their knowledge both on Kazakhstan and applying information technologies.
Meet the ACC…
During the day December 6, three big groups of school students of schools # # 36, 24, 12 and Parygino village school visited the American Culture Centre. They have been acquainted with the ACC history and its various resource and service. The students have shown special attention to encyclopedias, e-resource and clubs' activities. The village students were invited into interesting Internet travel. What is the Internet? When and whom was it founded by? What are the main research systems? Aigul Darkimbaeva helped them to get answers to these questions.
"These introductory enriching excursions are, no doubt, of great value to students. They help them to understand deeper their own needs, and be sure to meet them as your new users", said Vera Garmash, a supervisor of school # 12. We say: "Welcome, and develop your English with us!"
American Thanksgiving
What is the origin of America's annual Thanksgiving Day? This question was answered at the class specially arranged to this holiday at the Children Sector. Children of 4th and 6th grades have learned about Thanksgiving history, customs and traditions, watched interesting slides, solved crosswords and have eaten a lot of sweets. "This holiday is special because it is great when you have certain day to give thanks to the Land and Forests, and Rivers and Skies for the food you have. I think we do this on Kurban Ait", said Timur Ahmetzhanov (school # 44). Meet you at Christmas!
International Education Week in the Children Sector
One can find it boring to tell little children about education in another country. One can find it difficult to keep children attentive and interested in how children study in America, one but not Frieda Bowerman (PCV 2005). She prepared a wonderful presentation with interesting pictures and animation on how elementary school is organized in America. Within forty minutes with the help of their teachers as interpreters Sunday school students have learned about their mates in America school time-table, classes and holidays. After the presentation Frieda suggested to make Christmas cards for American kids in Children Hospital. How imaginative and skillful our children were! What beautiful cards they have made!
"American kids will be very happy to get these cards!"- exclaimed Frieda. Both grown-ups and children enjoyed the meeting very much and are looking forward for new meetings.
INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION WEEK GETS START
How to write an essay and to fill in the application? How to pass an interview successfully? - these and many other questions 26 students and pupils addressed to the graduates of the exchange programs Kurmangalieva A. (UGRAD-04) and Eskova N. (FLEX-05). The meeting " America - Far and Close or How to Succeed in Exchange Programs " was carried out within the framework of International Education Week on November 15.
Aizhan and Natalia answered questions with great pleasure and shared with their impressions on living in America.. In the girls' opinion the recipe of success is simple: "Be yourself, be open to everything new " - considers Natasha. For Aizhan the participation in the program is a result of successful work over herself.
Everyone has a chance to go to the USA under the exchange program if one only believes in him/herself and aspires to self-perfection - this is the conclusion the participants of meeting figured out to themselves. And ACC's rich collection, and the materials of specially arranged exhibition "Education Abroad: 4 Items of Success", are to help all potential participants of the exchange programs.
TEACHING ENGLISH CREATIVELY
Within the frame of IEW next meeting was held in ACC Natalia Krasikova TEA - 05 shared her ideas on "how to be dressed to kill or what are fly-hitters for" with about twenty school and college EFL teachers. Make your warm-ups lively - use verses and songs, use impromptu speech to make students speak easily, use "dressed to kill" in teaching sentence connection and fly-hitters to teach them vocabulary… These and other activities were presented to teachers and the former experienced them with great enthusiasm.
Natalia has informed the participants of seminars to be held monthly within her alumni work schedule that met the participants' appreciation and willing for further collaboration. "I am lucky to get there today and I'm looking forward for next meeting with this brilliant teacher", said Klinovitzkaya L. (school #40) and so did the others.
October is a month when all your ideas having been accumulated during summer vacation are getting their start. So it has happened to several English clubs coming to life these days. In addition to Movie and Discussion Clubs, Music, Business and Speakers Clubs have opened. Daniel Arch and Tom Dalcher, Hillary Murphy and Jay Chen are trying themselves as leaders and coordinators. Alongside English Reading Club for Teenagers under the guidance of Kuanisheva G. (ACC employee) and Ananyin E. (alumni FLEX-98) has held its first meeting. The interest to clubs is very high; there are newcomers every next meeting. We believe their activity will motivate more and more people to improve their English and attract more users to ACC.
After Dr. Shulman and the USA Ambassador Mr. Ordway visits ACC has become a meeting point for one more remarkable event. The U.S. Teacher of the year 2005, Peggy Stewart, has come. For honor to have her there we are obliged to Krasikova N. - TEA winner 2005. And it was an unforgettable event for 72 city and village English teachers who came to the meeting on October 13. Mrs. Steward, so pleasant, so charming and open-hearted has won everyone's sympathies at once and after she had said her first words she was admitted as a Teacher among Teachers. "There is GNT in Kazakhstan and there is SAT in USA; though different in content they both demand high level of knowledge of our students. So educational authorities press teachers, teachers are to press students and to find more effective ways to make them learn". "Yes, we have the same goals," - the teachers agreed, and the meeting continued in a lively way of sharing experience in active methods of teaching. "Thank you, Peggy! We wish you good luck and every success!"
Since 11 of October, during two weeks the exhibition devoted to Students Exchange Programs: FLEX, UGRAD, and MUSKIE has been displayed in Pushkin library. The headline of the exhibition is "Education in USA" and includes such items as "English Step by Step", "American Universities", "Americanism", and "Exchange Programs". The goals of an exhibition are to offer the readers the essential information about exchange programs and to acquaint the readers with the new publications and editions about education in USA. The exhibition causes large and constant interest of the visitors for it is the right time when first exchange programs take start.
Saturday morning started an hour earlier in the ACC. The U.S Ambassador in the Republic of Kazakhstan, John M. Ordway was going to visit the library at nine a.m. on October 7. The aim of his visit was to get acquainted with the American Culture Centre activity. An excursion round the library was arranged by Akzhigitova Khabiba, a library director. A high guest was informed about how the resource of ACC works, events and actitivities held by American Corner to promote mutual understanding and cultural connections between USA and Kazakhstan. We were pleased to find out that Mr. Ordway had heard about our Center and it was a greater pleasure to get his high appreciation.
The ACC proves its becoming a hospitable meeting point for all Americans visiting East Kazakhstan. This time it was Mr. Ordway meeting with Piece Corps volunteers. Their tete-a-tete talk lasted for an hour and both parties enjoyed it greatly. At the question if there were any complaints on "forcing" the volunteers to work hard for ACC, the Ambassador smiled and told he was quite satisfied by the amount of work volunteers do to carry out their mission and wished us every success.
Electronic Government, electronic democracy, electronic rulemaking ... these topics sound new and challenging to our society. On the American Culture Center initiative the U.S. State Department Bureau of International Information Programs arranged Dr. Stuart W. Shulman's two days visit to Ust-Kamenogorsk. Dr. Stuart W. Shulman, an assistant professor of Pitsburg University is the Principal Investigator and Project Director on related National Science Foundation-funded research projects focusing on electronic rulemaking.
The work schedule was rather busy and various. The meetings with Oblast Akimat representatives, civil servants, Republican Chat on the matter and a Public Lecture were organized. Dr. Shulman had to work hard but he was greatly satisfied: "It is clearly seen how great the interest to the topic is; people are far from being just beginners, they are active in overtaking the problem." Sharing experience with civil servants, a lively chat and overfilled conference hall for public lecture are the bright evidence of his words.
On the 24th of September a traditional meeting of Discussion Club was held in ACC. There were 24 people on the meeting, including Tom Dalcher, Jay Chen, Daniel Arch and Hillary Merfy.
Work & Jobs was the topic of the discussion. This theme is actual for the students of the third, fourth courses. Our students asked different questions about jobs in America and compared requirements of employees in America and in Kazakhstan. The topic developed more serious, and such problems as sex and national discrimination and getting a good job in our country were discussed.
About fifteen parents of future Sunday School Students have gathered in the Children sector on 17 September. The aims of the meeting were to acquaint parents with the Children sector resource, to show the Sunday School's advantages, to present school curriculum.
Next day we were happy to receive two groups of young learners at the Sunday School. They enjoyed their first classes presented in active and lively way. Friendly young teachers, colorful books, interesting table games, CD-s and videos, and specially designed room, everything is for little students' purposes. Let the Children Sector become a beloved place for young English learners.
Secondary School Excellence Program (SSEP) is three years project of Flowing Wells High School (USA, state Arizona) and school-gymnasium #10 (Ust-Kamenogorsk, RK). It is the second visit of American students to our city within the project.
Each time the American Center suggests the special program for the participants. This time it was an exciting excursion round the library, a meeting with the PC volunteers currently working in Ust-Kamenogorsk on 8 of September and a discussion with High School and University Students on 14 September. The activities were aimed at promoting expansion of cultural connections between USA and Kazakhstan and were distinguished by warm and friendly atmosphere.
Participating in charity movement "Pay It Forward" the ACC presented a set of books to the Tarhanka Village School.
Our close relations are going on and we are challenged to their further fruitful development.
Ust-Kamenogorsk English language teachers' traditional conference "EFL Teachers' Research Activity for Students' Language Skills Development" was held on the 25th August in the conference hall of the library.
The ACC resource exhibition was offered to teacher's attention. Such publications as: Materials and Methods in ELT, Discovering your Language, Sociocultural Theory and Second Language Learning, Discourse and Language Education etc have turned a new source of ideas for teachers. Kazakhstani publications as Coming of Age and periodical publications as Central Asia's Affairs were noted by participants as rich and substantial material for research work with students.
Muhamedieva K., City Education Department Methodologist, in her report has mentioned as excellent such ACC initiatives as organization and realization of scientific students' conference in English and mobile exhibitions held in faraway schools. The words of gratitude have been expressed to ACC for rendering constant and effective help.
ACC's leader A. Zhamankulova in her speech "Further Collaboration Perspectives of ACC and EFL Teachers Association" informed the audience about structural changes in ACC and transmission of ACCELS regional representative rights to ACC, the work analysis was produced and new suggestions of collaboration were presented, such as Teens' English Reading Club and Readers' Theater. Participants of the Conference have met with approval ACC's initiatives and
expressed their willing to further collaboration.
So, the new academic year starts, perspectives are drawn and collaboration work is carried on.
On the 28th of May, there wasn't any free place in the American Culture Center at the meeting of the Discussion club. Erin Anderson, Peace Corps volunteer in Kazakhstan and the leader of the Discussion club, hold the last meeting. At night she was leaving to Almaty and then to the USA.
The topic of the discussion was the first congress of seducers. Materials for this discussion were taken from the newspaper "Vremya". Members of the discussion club learnt about this unusual event and pretended to be the delegates of that congress having played different methods of girls seduction. Erin asked to express the thoughts about effectiveness of the methods seducers use to get girls. The opinions concerning this topic divided into "for" and "against" and hot discussion began.The common point of view was that people should be able to recognize seducers and not to take their attention seriously. The meeting was over but nobody hurried to go.
The moment of solemn farewell began and the participants said their wishes to Erin: " You're a real professional, an innovator and a creator, " - said A. Zhamangulova, head of the American Center - "Classes of the English language for librarians, meetings of the Discussion club, taking part in trainings and your help at the American Center make you one of us in the team of the American Center. We'll be missing you".
We believe our partnership will continue by means of Internet.
Thank you Erin! Bon voyage!
Recent week was the busy one for the American Culture Center. (During the week) Visit of William Fierman, the professor of Indiana State University; presentation of "Macmillan" publishing house in Kazakhstan editions; workshop for English teachers "English with Fun"; public lecture of Douglas Kristgau; last class at the Sunday school "English for Children" have had place.
William Fierman, specialist on Central Asia, visited our town on the 17th of May. His aim here is studying of status of the Kazakh language as state language. He himself speaks fluent Kazakh. "Kazakh language should be learned in a family and first of all it should be learned by Kazakhs" - said William Fierman. - "Last time I was in Ust-Kamenogorsk 8 years ago and this time I've found out people speak more Kazakh. But the progress moves too slow. I think financing of the language development is not effective enough. In order to improve the language environment it is necessary to make language learning interesting, publish books in Kazakh rich in content and qualitative". He stressed the role of the American Culture Center in English development and expressed hope that it would become the Center of friendship between our people.
May, 18 there was a presentation of the production of the British publishing house "Macmillan". The presentation was followed by exhibition, where modern manual books, several textbooks and methodical literature on learning and teaching English were exhibited. Along with the famous editions such as Bravo, Way Ahead, Smart, Prospects, Inside Out, Reward, participants got acquainted with a new manual set Brilliant, manuals on exams preparation and courses on American English.
May, 19 there was a seminar for English teachers "English with Fun". Dictionaries, educational and methodical manuals, teaching programs on printed and electronic materials presented in the collection, drew great teachers' interest. Workshops of the kind are to be continued: members of the city teachers' creative group "Young Learners" are intended to get thorough analysis of manuals for teachers and have trainings on using e-programs.
May, 20 Douglas Kristgau's public lecture was dedicated to African country Sierra-Leone, one of the poorest in the world. Kristgau told about actions taken by the "Peace Liberation" Organization to enhance life quality of this country. Problems of the Organization which helps low developed countries didn't leave the auditory indifferent. The auditory was represented by school and university students, school teachers and library users, university teachers and Peace Corps volunteers.
May, 22 at the Children Sector attached to Pushkin Library children of the Sunday school "English for children" gathered for the last class. Classes will continue next year, but now the last class ended with merry tea-drinking. "English for children" became a preliminary stage at English perception and the first step into the world of foreign culture.
The time has shown, that English is actively integrated to another branches of education. We were convinced of it, having taken part in the conference 16 of April "Civic Education for School Purposes", at school -gymnasium ¹10. The conference was initiated by our partner, the teacher of this school Mrs Galina Melnicova, the graduate of TEA -03 program.
The Encyclopedia of Democracy, West Encyclopedia of American Law, books "Human Rights and You", "American Legal Systems", "Dating Violence" - these and other magnificent editions from the collection of ACC were presented in the exhibition. We hope that such meetings will help with further, deeper studying
On 17th March within the framework of advertising action "Foreign Languages: Open New World" a lesson "American Holidays" on country learning was held in the ACC. The participants were 14 senior students of school # 4. They were taught to work with Reward Interactive Course (pre-intermediate).
Applying contemporary multimedia facilities students were involved in surfing real English and enriched their knowledge about American holidays and traditions.
Rounding up young travelers thanked their guides for an interesting lesson and noticed that e-collection of the Center is an enjoyable way in mastering English.
Another positive result is an agreement with students' teacher about demonstrating the lessons of the kind in the next quarter.
February 11, the Professional Training Friday Hour this time was devoted to St. Valentine's Day celebration. It was initiated by the members of professional committee and ACC workers. Resources of the Center were actively exploited while preparing to the party. Charming presenters Alena and Ruslan told library workers about the history of this day, prepared funny stories and questions, organized some games. Love poems in Kazakh and Russian were recited, sweet compliments were told and broken hearts were gathered together. Love and joy were brought to each heart, and it's a good start to Valentine's celebrations. A final pleasant point of the morning session was a tea-party. Happy Valentine's Day!
On the 29 of January at 16:00 in the American Culture Center (ACC) of the Pushkin Library a Discussion Club was held under the direction of Peace Corps volunteer Erin Anderson, accompanied by fellow Peace Corps volunteer Daniel Ach. The topic of Discussion was Shopping. Participants discussed goods and interesting purchases, and shopping dependence. Also they discussed the costs of some goods. The discussions were organized with the aim of increasing the level of English among our users of the ACC.
During the meeting participants of the Discussion Club including the U.S. Peace Corps volunteers played different games, discussed the topic.
In the ACC there was organized an exhibition, dedicated to the day of Martin Luther King Celebrated in the USA as a national holiday, the day of Martin Luther King dated to the birth of black priest and doctor of philosophy, the head of struggle for civil rights of black people in the USA. Users of ACC learned about the life and activity of Martin Luther King. There was exhibited such editions as "The Encyclopedia of Democracy", "Lobbying Congress", "The Almanac of American Politics", "The American Political Dictonary", resources of Internet.
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