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News Archives 2010

May 2010

Teacher Training at ACC

Weekend at Pushkin library was very busy for 22 EFL teachers of Ust-Kamenogorsk. They participated in a training, organized by American Culture Center in partnership with PC volunteers. 8 -hour training was devoted for issues of teaching English as a foreign language.
The first day program aimed at lesson planning, warm ups, and teaching new vocabulary.  Next day young trainers, Samantha Prudente and Tom Yaco, engaged teachers in learning new methods and games to teach speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Adult “students” took an active part in different games and spoke only English, as the training was conducted in English language. At the end of the course all participants have got certificates. They praised practical values of the seminar and noted that conducting form was also a sample of communicative approach.
This event is one of a number of successful programs arranged by American Culture Center in collaboration with PC volunteers. Discussion clubs on Sundays, cultural meetings, summer business school, and conference on multiculturalism, info-caravans – these programs have become traditional, and attract various people: school and university students, and specialists. This is where the process of mutual knowledge, equal perception of each other, development of tolerance and openness for another opinions and positions has place.

Mother’s Day at American Culture Center

Mother’s Day is a holiday which is celebrated on various days of the year. Americans celebrate Mother’s Day on the second Sunday in May. According to this event on May 6, 12, 2010 there was held a media-lesson, devoted to Mother’s Day at American Culture Center. Junior school students and their teachers participated in media-lessons. A colorful presentation was demonstrated and students learned about history and traditions of the holiday. A talk about the difference between Women’s Day in Kazakhstan and Mother’s Day in America had place as well, students played interesting games and got little presents from American Center.
Result: 98 school students became aware of American Holiday and tradition of its celebration; they developed English speaking skills and got acquainted to the ACC resource and services.

April 2010

On April 26, 2010 the presentation of Fulbright exchange programs to students, interested in studying abroad and getting master’s degree, had place at the American Culture Center. Asiyat Suleimenova, PAS Officer, US Embassy in Kazakhstan, gave a historical overview and full description of the opportunities Fulbright programs offer. The US Embassy representative underlined open and merit-based side of the competition and encouraged the public to participation. The audience (17 students) was very attentive, asked questions and noted that have got useful and challenging information.
“This is a wonderful opportunity; I find it the best among those to get MA. And the application pack is rather acceptable”, Kuat Tleuberdinov, VKGTU College History Teacher, said.

Language is a mediator of friendship and collaboration - 2010

On April 24, 2010 there was held the 6th annual high school students research papers conference at American Culture Center. 22 research papers from 12 schools were considered by the jury and 10 of them were selected to be presented at the conference. The jury consisted of teachers from EKSU: Olesya Bogun and Jaime Teicheiro, PC volunteer and Natalia Nesterenko, methodologist, Municipal Education Department. The first place was taken by the students of the school # 38 Aubakirova Aizhan and Bayandarova Diana for the joint research paper “Modern Youth Subcultures”. The presentations of best four works will soon be available on our site http://www.pushkinlibrary.kz/ACC/lessons.htm.
“This is my first time of participating in such a wonderful conference. I was really impressed by the participants who presented their works. They showed outstanding knowledge of their research works and English. Wish them good luck and every success.” said Jaime Teicheirо, the member of the jury.
The conference was attended by 46 people.

“Talking Kites” in Ust-Kamenogorsk

On April 22 , 2010, within the program, devoted to the 40th anniversary of the Earth Day, ecological club ENO-GREENS was at the central city square to fly talking kites.
The international action “Talking Kites” conducts annually in honor of Yanush Korchak, a children writer, doctor, advocate and humanist. His ideas are in the base of the modern child’s rights declaration.
12 members of the club with Galina Melnikova, TEA-03 alumna, their leader, had a short meeting, flied kites and explained the audience and passer-byes the ideas and principles of the action. The ACC participants came to join the action as well.
The day was beautiful, bright kites attracted people’s attention. Little children stopped their mothers to watch an unusual event and read students wishes written on kites’ stripes: “Peace to the whole world”, “Take care of our beautiful Earth”, “We are for cultural diversity and unity”…
Next time, ENO-GREENS members are sure to have more participants and more children’s dreams will fly high into the sky, and remind people to be attentive to child’s world and our fragile planet.

Teacher Training at the ACC

On April 23 and 24, 2010 an 8 hour course on TEFL was held at the ACC. Samantha Prudente and Tom Yacko, new PC volunteers arranged a special program and  had presented it for EFL teachers of school #44 and Zyryanovsk region (their home places). In partnership with American Culture Center there were planned to conduct two trainings: in April and May.
April training participants were 21 Oblast Teacher Development Institute trainees. The first 4 hours of the seminar focus on lesson planning, objectives, warm ups, and teaching new vocabulary. On the second day teachers are engaged in learning new methods and games to teach speaking, reading, writing, and listening. All areas focus on low level and high-level learners as it is important to be able to adapt your lessons to fit the needs of all students.
“We could hardly expect, it is possible to get this amount of useful and important information in such easy-learning way. The course will help me make teaching more effective and interesting”, Gulsum Kasymova expressed the group appreciation.

The World is in Your Hands

On April 15, 2010, within the program, devoted to the 40th anniversary of the Earth Day, the ACC arranged a presentation of ecological club ENO-GREENS. The club was created and works under the guidance of Galina Melnikova, TEA-03 alumna, at school-gymnasium #10. Club members are senior grades students. Since 2005 they are in ENO-Environment Online, a global virtual school and network for sustainable development and environmental awareness (www.joensuu.fi/eno/). Within the virtual school and environmental gymnasium project “The World is in Your Hands” they have carried out a number of projects: Sustainable Development, Talking Kites, Water Monitoring Day, Eco-Theatre and others. This work and call to join the project was announced before 54 students and teachers from 9 Ust-Kamenogorsk schools, who came to the meeting. The day April 22 they all were invited to the central city square to fly talking kites.
There were many excited responses from the participants, and they asked how to make kites!!! We would be happy if more schools from Kazakhstan will join ENO and take care of our planet. The ACC site will create a new page to lighten regional ENO activities.

Water and Energy

From April 1 till 21, 2010, a big exhibition on water and energy resources takes place in the library. Materials of the exhibition provide information on the world water and energy resources and demonstrate what everyone can do to save these valuable resources. The ACC users and club members have paid great attention to the exhibition. In the whole 72 college and university students and teachers of English visited the event. They got new information, successfully passed the test and are intended to use the knowledge they learned in daily life and classes.

March 2010

Smithsonian Institution Day in Ust-Kamenogorsk

A big event was held at the ACC on March 27, 2010. The Center hosted guests from the world-famous Smithsonian Institution Dr. Paul Taylor, Director of the Asian Cultural History, and Brad Smith, specialist on new technologies. Within their two-day work in Ust-Kamenogorsk they visited four main museums and held a 4-hour workshop for museum specialists of the oblast.

Paul Taylor presented the history and structure of the Smithsonian Institution and gave an overview of modern museums and funds management. New technologies have become an important part in museums work, and Dr. Taylor acquainted the participants to his experience in this oblast. 19 participants from museums of Ust-Kamenogorsk, Semey, Ridder and Katon-Karagai, as well as 5 library specialists, explored project and “business” museums activity and learned of Smithsonian joint programs in Kazakhstan.

Alongside, Brad Smith was looking through the library resource on Chokan Valihanov. He found interesting and useful documents and made a lot of pictures and copies for a virtual exhibition about Chocan Valihanov, which is the central part of Kazakhstan Culture Festival to be held in the USA in April.

A round table discussion held after presentation allowed the participants to clear up a number of issues, for example, about grant opportunities and digitalization. They heartily thanked for this great opportunity of professional experience exchange. Zhuldyz Kairbekova (ethnographical museum) and Natalia Bloch (“Berel” museum) expressed a common opinion: “It is impossible to overestimate the value of such meetings. They bring cultures closer, and we are sure to make new contacts and projects to advance museums activity”. 

St. Patrick’s Day at American Culture Center.

On March 17 and 19, 2010 there were held media-lessons devoted to St. Patrick's Day at American Culture Center. Children from school-gymnazium #3 and secondary school #4 (23 students) and their teachers learned about the history, traditions and symbols of this holiday.  They were shown a colorful presentation, and competed in solving anagrams and crosswords on St. Patrick’s. The best teams got prizes – books about the USA.
Result: Children learned more about special American holidays and were motivated to learn English in interesting and exciting way.

US Government Educational Programs Advancement

On March18, 2010 the ACC representative and Jaime Teijero, PCV, took part in school-seminar “Youth Scientific Activity Development as Factor of Research University Establishment” for young scientists and students of the East Kazakhstan State University. The university International Relations Department invited them to present educational exchange programs. Jaime Teijero pointed out five USG programs (including Global UGRAD, Muskie, JFDP) and explained the main requirements, and spoke on programs development in Kazakhstan underlining the EKSU experience. Aiman Zhamankulova presented the American University in Bulgaria and internship opportunities in America. To get up-to-date scientific data EBSCO database was presented as well.
About 50 young researchers and University teachers were present, they asked questions on programs and the ACC services and thanked for the information. Nurgalieva S. A., Chief International Relations Department, expressed her appreciation and marked she looked forward for further fruitful collaboration. 

ACC for EFL Teachers

On March 11, 2010 a group of 21 city and village EFL teachers, trainees of Oblast Teachers Development Institute, visited the ACC. The program ACC for EFL Teachers Purposes was introduced. Within three hours workshop they got acquainted with the library and American Culture Center, useful sites on teaching and learning English and Teaching Excellence and Achievement program (TEA). 3 teachers came to consult more about the program after the workshop.
The participants got information on Women’s History Month and explored the materials of Better Half: helping women help the world exhibition. Most of them stayed after the seminar to work with the materials of Teaching English for Young Learners exhibition, specially arranged for the group.
The program appeared very useful and helpful, and the ACC workers heard a lot of gratitude words. Besides, some teachers asked for the Internet training, and the schedule was arranged, and the first training had place the same day.                

February 2010

US Embassy Guest in ACC

On February 24, 2010 Anna Radivilova, U.S. Embassy, Astana, political officer, visited American Culture Center within her business trip to Ust-Kamenogorsk. She got acquainted with the ACC and the library. Anna had heard of the American Center activity and asked about projects and programs the Center lead. The Officer met with some of our users and the library administration. A lively talk had place, and our users answered what January 20th, 2010 was remarkable for and why they learn English. Education in the USA was under discussion as well, and Sasha Kotlov, a young programmer, exchanged e-mails with Anna to find more about internship opportunities.
The US Embassy representative expressed her appreciation about the current ACC programs and promised to help with their advancement on the part of the Embassy. We look forward for further collaboration.

residents Day at School

Within February15-20 a number of lessons devoted to Presidents Day were held to 70 senior students of specialized school-gymnasium #38. Irina Labukova, TEA-07 alumna, a teacher of the gymnasium, arranged the program. The American Culture Center provided materials and the basis of lesson was Chris Schirm presentation Presidents of the United States of America.
Students of 10-11th grades found out a lot of interesting and useful information on the history of American presidency and Presidents personalities. And the quiz arranged at the end of the lesson demonstrated their knowledge and understanding. They found the program challenging and look for further cooperation to enhance their knowledge on America and its people.

Big Valentine’s Party at the ACC

St. Valentine’s Day is one of the beloved celebrations among our users. It has become a tradition to have a big bright performance this day.
“All for Love” in 2008, “Love is above Pride and Prejudice” in 2009 and “Love is Blind…” this year. The plot was build on a Russian fairy tale The Frog Princess. There were King and Queen and their three sons, and arrows to be shot and point to their brides.  Two elder brothers found beautiful girls, but poor smallest shot his arrow into the swamp, and it was caught by an ugly green frog. And further… Further the brothers proved real love is to overcome all obstacles, and it is able to turn a Frog into a beautiful Princess.
There were competitions, songs and dances, all performed by our users. Michelle and Laura involved public into Valentine rap writing, and the best was chosen. People, there were about 80, enjoyed the holiday very much, and stayed long after celebration expressing their gratitude and sharing impressions.
“Love has won, of course. And this was really international celebration: our heroes spoke English, German and French. Lot’s of thanks to ACC. I wonder, what we are to have next year?” said Frog Princess Roza Smagulova, 3d year student.

US Peace Corps is 50

On February 10,  2010 John Sasser, Director of US Peace Corps in Kazakhstan, and Ufilmalik Turguzhanova, Regional Manager of Peace Corps in Kazakhstan visited ACC within their business trip round the East-Kazakhstan Oblast. There was held a two-hour meeting with the ACC staff and library administration. From the first day of the ACC foundation US Peace Corps representatives in Ust-Kamenogorsk were the main and most active part of native speakers. They have been contributing a lot in ACC activity, and from its side, the ACC does a lot to make young people feel home far from their country. The ways collaboration is going on and future plans were discussed. Next year US Peace Corps celebrates 50th anniversary, and we are proud among great achievements of this organization there is our work on increasing understanding between people of America and Kazakhstan.

January 2010

MLK: Fulfilling the Dream

On January 31, 2010 there was held Discussion Club run by Jaime Teijeiro. 34 participants were involved into discussing serious and challenging issues on discrimination and learned about M. L. King and his contribution in ending racial-segregation in America.
Botagoz Hamitova, first-year student, shares her impressions: “I have recently started to attend American discussion Club. I always thought that topics like discrimination are very complicated to discuss.  But Jaime first gave us some ideas what the term means, he commented the slides and asked the public to respond. While talking about M.L. King, Jaime demonstrated us a video of his famous speech “I have a Dream” and I, think, though it was a little piece, King was really a great orator. I have learned many new things at the meeting and enjoyed communication, so, of course, I will become a constant participant of English clubs”.

ACC for Oblast Teachers

A big 4-hour program for EFL teachers had place at the ACC on January 28, 2010. For 32 trainees of the Oblast Teachers Development Institute the ACC workers held an excursion round the library and American Center, made an overview of the ACC resource and services, conducted an information talk on M.L. King Day, and had a workshop on useful sites for EFL teachers purposes. The program was concluded by a training on Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program (TEA). The participants were introduced to the program’s requirements and changes. A detailed explanation on each point of the application was made and ideas on writing essays discussed.
“We’ve got such a big amount of useful information. And we’ve learned of new services, such as a virtual reference, for example. I think, it, alongside with Info-Caravan, makes it available for village teachers to get the information and materials we always have lack of”, expressed her opinion Bedareva N.S. from Shemonaiha school #1.

Outreach Program

Inforaid is a program that has already become traditional in our library. Last year American Center workers visited a number of Ust-Kamenogorsk colleges and universities. As a result, many students have become the ACC users.
Now this program is covering secondary schools. On January 27, 2010 American Center visited school #18, which is in remote region of our city. About 65 school students and EFL teachers attended the meeting. Students got to know about ACC services and resources. ACC representative showed them a number of books in English, widely used by all school students.
Celebrating main US dates was mentioned as one of the important ways to learn about the country, and a talk about the Day of Martin Luther King was held. Students were curious to find out about a black man, who became a national hero in America.
There were questions about the library and ACC and the intention to become our user was expressed.

Librarians Discuss Clinton’s Address

On January 26, 2010 a discussion on Secretary of State Clinton Address on Internet Freedom had place at the ACC. 15 librarians, specialists of Information Technologies, Library Development and Information Resource Center departments, shared their opinions on the topic. They agreed on making “technologies a force for real progress the world over. ” The opinions divided on discussing freedom to connect and censorship of the Internet. Of course, the Kazakhstan law about the Internet was mentioned. Participants suggested the ways library could provide information to users observing their rights and the law.
The topics on Freedom to Connect, Civil Society 2.0 Initiative and Global Cyberspace Security were taken to further studying and presenting at the Internet School-2010.

Former US PCV at the ACC

Volunteers have become an integral part of the American Center’s life. After leaving our country some of them keep in touch with us. This time Tom Dalcher, PCV in 2004-06, during his trip to Ust-Kamenogosk paid his first visit to our center. We were happy to hear that a big team of volunteers 04-06 still stay close and share their good memoirs on serving in Kazakhstan. Tom presented a number of disks including the whole collection of the Lord of the Ring trilogy. Remembering his past experience he conducted a discussion for the ACC users, and the other day had a lively meeting with Samantha, our new US volunteer, sharing his experience. Dear Tom, you are really making America closer to us. We are looking forward to your new visits!