Azerbaijan

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Early Childhood Education in Azerbaijan.

by Lisa Starnes

Azerba-what? No one I knew, except my 90-year-old grandfather, had heard of

Azerbaijan. Consequently, our family received many puzzled looks when we said we
were going to spend the 1998-99 academic year there. We were moving temporarily
because I had accepted a position as a preschool director in Baku, the capital of the
former Soviet republic.

Education leaders in Baku are developing comprehensive, private education system based
upon American theory and tradition. As part of these efforts, a new university opened in
1996. The preschool program, the Early Learning Childhood Center, was begun in March
1997, and a primary school and high school were being added year by year. This article
will describe the preschool program, focusing on its goals, the teacher training, and
cultural adaptations.

The Country Setting

Azerbaijan is a small country bordering the Caspian Sea, located east of Turkey on the
old Silk Road--the ancient trade route used by such travelers as Marco Polo. Throughout
history, Azerbaijan has suffered a series of invasions from many countries. During the
mid-1800s, an international interest in the region's oil resources stimulated development.
Although Azerbaijan proclaimed its independence in 1918, it was soon occupied by
Russian forces and became a Soviet Republic in 1922.

When the Soviet Union dissolved in the early 1990s, Azerbaijan became involved in a
border dispute with Armenia. In 1994, a cease-fire finally allowed the people of
Azerbaijan to turn their attention to renovating buildings and utilities, rebuilding its
economic and educational systems, and allocating oil resources. Several multinational
consortia were involved in oil exploration, and the people of Azerbaijan are beginning to
envision a promising future (Zeynalov & Sapunov, 1998).

Description of the Program

The Early Learning Childhood Center was established as a program for Azeri parents
who wanted their children to learn English as a means of improving their educational and
employment opportunities. Originally, half of the student body was meant to be native
English speakers. Most local children speak Azeri, but many of them speak Russian or
both. The center's planners also wanted to provide a model American early childhood
education program to serve expatriate families, many of whom were employed by oil
companies. Expatriate families were usually in Baku for two or three years and mostly
spoke English, although several of the children spoke at least one other language. Parents
wanted a program that would offer an educational program similar to Western schools, in
order to facilitate their children's eventual transition to schools back home in Scotland,
England, Switzerland, Russia, Australia, Ireland, France, Turkey, Israel, Ethiopia, and the
United States. The two existing international schools did not have programs for children
under age 5.

The center moved into a renovated, historically significant building during the summer of
1998; the staff and children were still adjusting to the new space when I arrived. The
upstairs was designated for 40 preschool children, ages 2 to 5. The space consisted of
three open, adjoining classroom areas, three separate classrooms, bathrooms, and a sports
hall. Dining and office spaces were located downstairs with the primary school.
Furnishings were shipped from other countries or built locally. Because the local children
changed into play clothes and slippers when they arrived and changed again before
leaving (they came to school in their best clothing), the children's cubbies were
downstairs. This arrangement made it difficult for children to put their belongings away
themselves, however.

The center is funded by an anonymous private board of investors and administered by the
American University in Baku. The board determined that the programs would be
based upon American-style schools. To facilitate this goal, the University had an
agreement with the Texas International Education Consortium to provide faculty
members to supplement the local university and high school staff. My role, as
Director of the American Kindergarten, was to coordinate the academic program
and report to the General Manager. While the job description was vague, informal
instructions from the Consortium indicated that I could define the job any way I
liked, except for a few items in which I was not to be involved. In reality, I
instructed the general manager, who had no background in education administration
or child development, regarding how to organize the program, perform tasks, and
develop policy and procedures. I also devised a training program for the teachers
that improved the overall program.
http://www.britishcouncil.org/eumd-information-background-azerbaijan.htm

12/06 The Azerbaijan market for Education UK products is growing fast. Greatly
increased international involvement in the economy of Azerbaijan has fuelled a strong
demand for English language skills in the workplace. As a result, a growing number of
middle class Azerbaijanis send their children to further their education in the UK;
international and local organizations sponsor their employees to further their studies
through both in-country providers and abroad; and there is a growing number of young
professionals choosing to further their education in the UK

The education system of Azerbaijan is currently undergoing reforms to better prepare

students for the current world market and meet the demands of the global economy, but is
still largely based on the Soviet model. The lessons are teacher-centered and lessons do
not allow for the development of problem-solving and spoken language skills. Since most
students leave secondary school with little capacity to communicate in English, families
with higher socio-economic status usually send their children to for private tutition before
and after school. Achieving competence in English language and developing problem-
solving and critical thinking skills will enable the next generation of Azerbaijanis to
become productive members of the global economy.

In the past, the most widely taught second language in the schools was Russian. Today,
Russian is taught as a foreign language, along with English, German, and French. English
is increasingly viewed as a language to aid students in obtaining access to information
and technology, achieving broader academic goals, and opening up a broad range of
professional opportunities. Good knowledge of English is valued by employers and can
improve job prospects. This explains the very high demand for English and the marked
preference among Azerbaijani students to study English over other languages. The
Ministry of Education, individual schools, and communities all recognize that English
language skills can provide Azerbaijani citizens with many advantages including
enhancing education and career prospects; increasing access to information and
technology via the internet; the opportunity for closer relationships with Western
democratic countries; and increased understanding of new business practices.
 http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/elt-projects/secondary-english-language-teacher-
training-project-azerbaijan

The Secondary English Language Teacher Training Project, Azerbaijan

Submitted by TE Editor on 4 November, 2008 - 15:05

The British Council, in partnership with the Ministry of Education of Azerbaijan,

developed a new training course aiming to improve the capacity of Azerbaijan teachers of
English at secondary school level to deliver English classes that reflect the latest ideas in
methodology.

Client, stakeholders, partners

Ministry of Education
Regional education departments
Teachers Association

Focus

Improving ELT in state-sector secondary schools: a pilot project

The project

The British Council, in partnership with the Ministry of Education of Azerbaijan,

developed a new training course aiming to improve the capacity of Azerbaijan teachers of
English at secondary school level to deliver English classes that reflect the latest ideas in
methodology.

The training was implemented by teachers from Azerbaijan who had benefited from
trainer training courses run by the British Council. It integrated some of Cambridge
ESOL's TKT (Teaching Knowledge Test) materials as part of the course.

The first phase of the project saw teacher training courses taking place in seven pilot state
secondary schools in Baku, followed by further training in a second group of schools. As
a result, in the first phase sixty of Baku's leading English teachers were enabled to
introduce new and motivating techniques and activities in their classrooms. This phase is
being evaluated by the British Council and local trainers (November 2008).

A second phase will involve the evaluation of the teaching practices of the teachers who
participated, and a new programme of training for more teachers.
The Ministry of Education is funding this innovative project, which is a first of its kind.
The aim is not only to improve teaching methodology, but to maintain a network of
trained teachers of English who have participated in the programmes run by the British
Council.
http://www.az-eta.org/about.php

Azerbaijan English Teachers' Association

AzETA is a professional non-government, non-profit organisation of English
teachers of Azerbaijan. It unites more than 700 English teachers throughout
the country. It was established in 1995 and oficially registered in 1996. Since
its establishment AzETA works closely with British Council, Peace Corps and
US Embassy in Azerbaijan. AzETA also seeks possibilities to co-operate with
ELT and/or education related programmes/organisations both in Azerbaijan
and world-wide. As a member of RENTA (Regional Network of Teachers'
Associations) AzETA closely co-operates with the TAs of the region and
implements joint projects and regularly seeks opportunities to extend co-
operation with them. Since August 2005 AzETA is an Associate member of
IATEFL (International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign
Language, UK). In June 2009 AzETA became an affiliate of TESOL (Teachers
of English to the Speakers of Other Languages, USA).

The Mission of the Association is to provide support for high quality education
in ELT, professional development of English language teachers of the country.
For this AzETA very closely co-operates with the Ministry of Education to
make its contribution to the Education Reform Project implemented by the
Government of Azerbaijan. The Ministry supports all AzETA activities.
AzETA mainly co-operates with the Department of the High School and Pre-
School Education in Rural Regions of Azerbaijan as the majority of AzETA
members come from the rural regions.

AzETA has a strategy of supporting ELT through different activities: teacher

training, materials development, study tours, TV matinees, conversation
groups, workshops, etc. Unlike support to one or two individual institutions,
this strategy enables AzETA to assist the professional development of teachers
of secondary schools and universities throughout Azerbaijan both in public
and private sectors. Such a strategy has produced impressive results and
builds networks of teachers, committed and empowered to implement
Education Reform of the Ministry of Education.

So far, AzETA branches in 6 regions of Azerbaijan: Baku, Ganja, Khachmaz,

Lenkaran, Mingechevir and Sheki. Peace Corps Volunteers have played an
invaluable role in establishing these branches and provide support to the
branch management teams wherever necessary. Members from Yevlakh,
Qebele, Agjabedi, Barda, Oguz, Zaqatala and Ismayilli regions have also
approached AzETA to establish branches there.
http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/soe/cihe/newsletter/News05/text2.html

The Emergence of Private Postsecondary Education in the Former Soviet Republic

of Azerbaijan

The Emergence of Private Higher Education

No private institutions of higher learning existed within the Soviet system of higher
education prior to perestroika in the latter 1980s. A small explosion of private institutions
was touched off in 1991 and now more than 100 private postsecondary institutions have
been established in Azerbaijan

The disintegration of central control and financing left student life at traditional
institutions in a state of flux and uncertainty. The increasing need for English-speaking
graduates to work with the growing number of Western enterprises that had established
themselves in Azerbaijan also created a new demand for trained graduates. Traditional
institutions were failing and lacked direction; they are unable to pay their faculty
regularly or adequately. The founders of the emerging private colleges and universities
are the few entrepreneurs who visualized this confluence of demand and supply and
organized new institutions to effectively market and deliver a response.

The Future of Private Higher Education

A longer version of this paper includes a case study of a leading private university in
Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan, and is available from the author. As of spring 1996,
this institution is completing its third year of operation and serves approximately 2,000
students who pay as much as $1,000 per year in tuition. Most of its faculty formerly
served in the state system of higher education and many earned their degrees in Moscow.
Almost all instruction is conducted in English. The analysis focuses on the nature of
English-language teaching at this university, the attempts of instructors to move away
from traditions of direct, didactic teaching, and the overall strategic planning activities,
and efforts to promote faculty governance in this institution.
http://elf.georgetown.edu/projects/ay07-
08projects/Europe_Eurasia/Full_Azerbaijan_Lankaran_State_University.html
AY 2007-2008 Projects - Europe/Eurasia
Country Azerbaijan
City Lankaran
Host Institution Lankaran State University

Project Description
This EL Fellow will teach English to the third and fourth year students at Lankaran State
University, located in Azerbaijan's conservative, religious southern region, which borders
Iran. The EL Fellow will help both students and faculty build their conversational English
language skills and become more familiar with American culture. The EL Fellow will
work closely with faculty to develop an up-to-date curriculum and teach the faculty new
methods of teaching English, and hold conversation classes for faculty. The EL Fellow
will also play a key role in the ongoing English Access Microscholarship program in a
Lankaran madrasa, which involves 15 religious students, 6 of whom are young women.
The EL Fellow will work closely with active secondary school teachers and members of
the Azerbaijan English Teachers Association in Lankaran and the surrounding 4 cities and
hold periodic workshops for them.

Project Objectives
To develop a wider base of English language speakers throughout Azerbaijan as
proficiency in English will help the country to develop its market and democracy, obtain
access to more educational resources, and foster a freer and more open information
environment. Developing English language skills in Azerbaijan will also create a more
receptive audience for U.S. culture, ideas, and initiatives. In order to facilitate the
development of teaching English, the US Embassy works closely with the Azerbaijan
English Teachers Association (AzETA) and has supported many of its events. With the
support of the U.S. Embassy, AzETA has already established four satellite branches in
rural regions outside the capital city of Baku, with other branches currently under
discussion.
http://elf.georgetown.edu/projects/ay08-
09projects/Europe_Eurasia/full_description.html

Azerbaijan
City Baku
Host Institution Azerbaijan Tourism Institute/Azerbaijan English
Teachers Association (AzETA)
Type of Project Fellow
Project Dates September 2008 June 2009

Project Focus
American Culture, English for Listening, English for Reading, English for Speaking,
English for Writing, Marketing, Teaching Methodologies, Teaching Techniques, Tourism

Project Description
The EL Fellow will help the students of the newly established Azerbaijan Tourism
Institute (ATI) build their conversational English language skills and become more
familiar with American culture and tourism opportunities. Students at the Tourism
Institute will be young Azerbaijani specialists in the newly developing tourism market.
The EL Fellow will also provide conversational class for the teachers of English at the
Institute, as well as conduct workshops and trainings to teach new methods of English
teaching. S/he will develop a practical English textbook specifically designed for the
Tourism Institute and will help the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to develop a guide
book about Azerbaijans tourism locations and offerings. The EL Fellow will also work
closely with AzETA and hold regular teacher trainings for its members, help with the
English Access Microscholarship Program around Baku, occasionally visit AzETA
branches and hold workshops for the English teachers. S/he will also hold English
conversational classes for the public at the US Embassy-sponsored American Corner
located at the University of Languages. The EL Fellow will also be requested to hold
Academic Writing workshops for the teachers.

Project Objectives
The US Embassy seeks to develop a wider base of English language speakers throughout
Azerbaijan, which, with its 93% (predominantly Shia) Muslim population, as well as its
strategic location between Iran, Turkey, and Russia, is an important regional partner for
the US. Proficiency in English will help the country to develop its market and democracy,
obtain access to more educational resources, and foster a more free and open information
environment. Developing English language skills in Azerbaijan will also create a more
receptive audience for US culture, ideas, and initiatives. In order to facilitate the
development of teaching English, the Embassy works closely with AzETA and has
supported many of its events. With the support of the Embassy, AzETA has already
established four satellite branches in rural regions outside the capital city of Baku, with
other branches currently under discussion.
About the Host Institution
ATI was established in 2006 with the initiative of developing tourism in Azerbaijan. Its
School of -Tourism and Leisure Management has eight majors:
1. Tourism Management
2. Tourism Marketing
3. Tourism socio-cultural service
4. Sports tourism
5. Art and cultural tourism
6. Health, spa and wellness tourism
7. Travel and Tourism Guiding (bilingual)
8. Service and medical treatment administration in resorts
The Institute has 500 students with about 20 English teachers. The Rector of ATI is
personally interested in developing students English skills, as well as English teachers'
professional development.

AzETA is a professional non-government, non-profit organization of English teachers of

Azerbaijan. It unites more than 600 English teachers throughout the country. It was
established in 1995 and officially registered in 1996. Since its establishment, AzETA
works closely with British Council, Open Society Institute-Assistance Foundation and
US Embassy in Azerbaijan. AzETA also seeks possibilities to co-operate with ELT and/or
education related programms/organisations both in Azerbaijan and world-wide. As a
member of RENTA (Regional Networking of Teachers' Associations) AzETA closely co-
operates with the TAs of the region and implements joint projects and regularly seeks
opportunities to extend co-operation with them. The Mission of the Association is to
provide support for high quality education in ELT, professional development of English
language teachers of the country. AzETA has a strategy of supporting ELT through
different activities: teacher training, materials development, study tours, TV matinees,
conversation groups, workshops, etc. Unlike support to one or two individual institutions,
this strategy enables AzETA to assist the professional development of teachers of
secondary schools and universities throughout Azerbaijan both in public and private
sectors. Such a strategy has produced impressive results and builds networks of teachers,
committed and empowered to implement Education Reform of the Ministry of Education.
AzETA is managed by the Executive Board.
Azerbaijan
City Lankaran
Host Institution Lankaran State University
Type of Project Fellow
Project Dates September 2008 June 2009

Project Focus
American Culture, American Literature, Computers, English for Listening, English for
Reading, English for Speaking, English for Writing, Teaching Methodologies, Teaching
Techniques

Project Description
The EL Fellow currently in Lankaran is working closely both with university students
and teachers, as well as local secondary school teachers and community. With the EL
Fellows assistance, 8 faculty members from Lankaran State University and local
secondary school teachers attended AzETAs National Conference in Baku. None of these
teachers had attended an AzETA conference before; their excitement in being there was
obvious from the initial plenary session to the final awards ceremony. The EL Fellow also
helped coordinate a teacher training session conducted by two AzETA trainers and plans
to explore the establishment of an AzETA branch in the Lankaran region. The EL Fellow
has been co-teaching the third year students at the university, helped re-introduce a
student newspaper, and launched a film club. In 2008-2009, the EL Fellow will continue
teaching English to the students of Lankaran State University and assist teachers there in
developing an ESL curriculum. S/he will also establish English conversation, film, book,
writing, and music clubs for teachers in the community and expand the current
conversation clubs for students. The EL Fellow will continue to educate English teachers
in the region about AzETA, recruit members, encourage them to attend the 2008
conference in Baku, as well as to share their new knowledge with other teachers in the
region. With financial support from the US Embassy, s/he will establish a sustainable
English Language Center to serve as a resource for students, teachers and others in the
region who are interested in developing their English language skills and English
language teacher training skills. This center would also serve as an office for the future
AzETA branch and as a training facility. The EL Fellow will also visit villages outside of
Lankaran in order to inform those teachers about AzETA and conduct workshops. She
will continue working with young devout Muslims from local medressas enrolled in the
English Access Microscholarship Program and create an Enjoy English Club in this
region. Having an EL Fellow in this critical, conservative, religious region bordering Iran
has already yielded major dividends. We are extremely interested in maintaining an EL
Fellow there to help increase the level of English language teaching and learning.

Project Objectives
The US Embassy seeks to develop a wider base of English language speakers throughout
Azerbaijan, which, with its 93% (predominantly Shia) Muslim population, as well as its
strategic location between Iran, Turkey, and Russia, is an important regional partner for
the US. Proficiency in English will help the country to develop its market and democracy,
obtain access to more educational resources, and foster a freer and open information
environment. Developing English language skills in Azerbaijan will also create a more
receptive audience for US culture, ideas, and initiatives. In order to facilitate the
development of teaching English, the Embassy works closely with AzETA and has
supported many of its events. With the support of the US Embassy, AzETA has already
established four satellite branches in rural regions outside the capital city of Baku, with
other branches currently under discussion.

About the Host Institution

Lankaran State University (LSU) of founded in 1992 after the collapse of the Soviet
Union. The university has 1500 students with about 100 faculty members. It has
departments of "Language and Literature", "Pedagogy and Psychology", "History and
Philosophy", "Information Technology", "Geography and Ecology", etc. LSU has an
Undergraduate, Graduate, and Post-Graduate Schools. About 100 students study at LSU
to be English teachers and they are taught by approximately 12 English faculty.
Azerbaijan
City Baku
Host Institution State Student Admissions Committee/ADA
Type of Project Fellow
Project Dates September 2008-June 2009

Project Focus
American Culture, English for Listening, English for Reading, English for Speaking,
English for Writing, Teaching Methodologies, Teaching Techniques

Project Description
The EL Fellow will work with the Azerbaijani Government, specifically with the State
Student Admissions Committee (SSAC) and the Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy (ADA).
At the SSAC, the Fellow will help develop materials to test students on their English
language ability and to develop a curriculum to improve the English skills of high school
students who are awarded government-funded scholarships to study in the United States.
The GOAJ has recently launched a major study abroad initiative and plans to fully fund
the study of 5000 students in the next 5 years. The U.S. Embassy seeks to have this EL
Fellow help the SSAC structure an in-country English teaching program for qualified
students who need to polish their language skills before studying abroad. The EL Fellow
will work with local teachers to develop a program, as well as work directly with students
who will study abroad on GOAJ scholarships. The EL Fellow will conduct teacher
trainings, workshops, and seminars for the teachers selected to teach these students. S/he
will also advise the SSAC about the university admission process and teach them IBT
and GRE verbal, writing. The EL Fellow will also work with SSAC to improve their
English tests for their regular standardized university entrance exams. In addition, the
EL Fellow will teach diplomats and civil servants enrolled at the Advanced Foreign
Service Program (AFSP) of the Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy (ADA) and will work
with the ADA to develop a curriculum and materials for future use by other English
teachers. The EL Fellow may also work to create an Academic Writing Center at ADA
and structure the department of English to cover thematic English language programs
(diplomacy, international relations, etc).

Project Objectives
PAS Baku seeks to develop a wider base of English language speakers throughout
Azerbaijan, which, with its 93% (predominantly Shia) Muslim population, as well as its
strategic location between Iran, Turkey, and Russia, is an important regional partner for
the United State. Proficiency in English will help the country to develop its market and
democracy, obtain access to more educational resources, and foster a freer and more open
information environment. Developing English language skills in Azerbaijan will also
create a more receptive audience for U.S. culture, ideas, and initiatives. In order to
facilitate the development of teaching English, the U.S. Embassy works closely with
AzETA and has supported many of its events. With the support of the U.S. Embassy,
AzETA has already established four satellite branches in rural regions outside the capital
city of Baku, with other branches currently under discussion.
About the Host Institution
The State Students Admission Commission (SSAC) is an independent Ministerial-level
agency that reports directly to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Founded in
1992, the SSAC is responsible for testing students applying for admission to (public,
private and military) schools, colleges, and universities, covering on average 100,000
applicants annually. The broad purpose of the SSAC is to advance quality and help ensure
equity in education by providing fair and valid assessments. Since 2005, the SSAC has
been administering examinations for admission to the Master degree programs of
Universities.

The Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy (ADA) is a school of international affairs preparing

innovative leaders who will be able to meet the challenges of global competition. Its
curriculum focuses on the academic study and practical application of politics, economics
and law. Drawing on the best case practices from around the world, academic programs
are delivered through degree and non-degree, full-time and part-time, resident and
distance education programs. The Academy has two components: an Advanced Foreign
Service Program and a Graduate School of International Affairs. ADAs Advanced
Foreign Service Program (AFSP) is a highly flexible program offering professional
training to Azerbaijani civil servants working in the area of international affairs. The
AFSP is designed to enhance skill sets of these officials and prepare them for public
sector leadership. Students may choose from six areas of study, including: Consular
Affairs International Politics, Law and Organization Economic Affairs Public
Diplomacy Leadership Development Area Studies. ADAs Master of Arts in
Diplomacy and International Affairs (MADIA) is a graduate degree program offering
rigorous higher-education programs for Masters candidates. In-depth academic
specializations range from: International Security and Conflict Resolution Energy and
Environment International Business and Finance Caspian Basin Studies ADA
considers on-the-job training to be a valuable part of an education. Each student at ADA
will, therefore, have the opportunity to take part in internships during the time that they
are enrolled. Both the AFSP and MADIA programs require intensive language study
through ADAs English Language Program.
http://elf.georgetown.edu/projects/ay09-10projects/EUR/index.html
Azerbaijan
City Baku
Host Institution Azerbaijan Teachers Institute
Type of Project Fellow
Project Dates September 2009 June 2010

Project Focus
American Culture, English for Listening, English for Reading, English for Speaking,
English for Writing, Teaching Methodologies, Teaching Techniques

Project Description
This EL Fellow will help the students and the teachers of Azerbaijan Teachers Institute
(ATI) in Baku build their conversational English language skills and become more
familiar with American way of teaching English and American culture. Students at ATI
are young specialists who will become teachers at secondary schools throughout
Azerbaijan. The EL Fellow will teach English to the first year students of the School of
Elementary Education four hours/week. S/he will also provide conversational class for
the teachers of English at the Institute, as well as conduct workshops and trainings to
teach new methods of English teaching to the teachers of English department regularly.
ATI brings elementary, secondary and high school English teachers from the regions to
provide them with in-service teacher training for one month, twice a year. The EL Fellow
will give training workshops to them during their in-service classes once or twice a week.
The EL Fellow will occasionally visit the regional branches of ATI to give
training/workshops/seminars upon request. The EL Fellow will be affiliated with the
Department of International Department of ATI and will directly report to the head of the
department.

Project Objectives
The US Embassy seeks to develop a wider base of English language speakers throughout
Azerbaijan, which, with its 93% (predominantly Shia) Muslim population, as well as its
strategic location between Iran, Turkey, and Russia, is an important regional partner of
the United States. Proficiency in English will help the country to strengthen its
international connections, develop market-based economy, obtain access to more
educational resources, and foster free and open information environment. Developing
English language skills in Azerbaijan will also create a more receptive audience for the
US culture, ideas, and initiatives. In order to facilitate the development of teaching
English, the Embassy works closely with Azerbaijani English Teachers Association
(AzETA) With the support of the US Embassy, AzETA has already established four
satellite branches in rural regions outside the capital city of Baku, with other branches
currently under discussion.

About the Host Institution

Azerbaijan Teachers Institute was founded in 1929. It has 11 regional branches in Ganja,
Sumgayit, Mingachevir, Gazakh, Shamakhi, Guba, Salyan, Jalilabad, Aghjabedi, Sheki,
Zagatala and Lankaran. Azerbaijan Teachers Institute and its branches include the
followings: Training of Pedagogical Personnel (bachelors degree), In-Service Training of
Pedagogical Personnel, Re-Training of Pedagogical Personnel, and Improvement of
Pedagogical Personnel. Training of pedagogical personnel on pedagogy and methods of
elementary education, pedagogy and methods of pre-school education, Azerbaijan
language and literature, history and geography, physics and mathematics, mathematics
and informatics, pedagogy, psychology, and English language are carried out in the
branch Institutes. Pedagogical education and teacher training are continuously carried out
by the Institute. Every year more than ten thousand pedagogical personnel are involved in
additional education. Departments of the Institute include Department of Re-training and
In-service, Department of Pedagogy, and Department of Philology.
Azerbaijan
City Baku
Host Institution Azerbaijan Tourism Institute (ATI)/American Center
Type of Project Fellow
Project Dates September 2009 June 2010

Project Focus
American Culture, American Literature, English for Listening, English for Reading,
English for Speaking, English for Writing, Teaching Methodologies, Teaching
Techniques, Tourism

Project Description
The EL Fellow working with the Azerbaijan Tourism Institute (ATI) will continue to
work closely with students, staff and faculty to build their conversational English
language skills and become more familiar with American culture and tourism
opportunities. The EL Fellow teaches business English courses in the International
diploma program, provides conversational class for the teachers and staff at the Institute,
and leads a methodology discussion group for teachers. S/he is working closely with the
English Department head to provide professional development opportunities around
assessment/testing and ESP curriculum development for the English faculty. S/he is also
designing and executing new courses which will be provided this and next year. These
courses include an academic writing course for English department teachers and
conversational English courses for Institute students and the public at large. The EL
Fellow at ATI also conducts workshops and trainings to present research-based teaching
methodology. Additionally, s/he is compiling a library of ESP tourism materials for the
university and will continue to provide consultation on development of English course
materials and promotional materials designed for the Tourism Institute and the Ministry
of Culture and Tourism. The EL Fellow will spend 30 hours per week working with ATI.
Secondary project duties will include working with: American Corner Programming,
American Culture, and English Club Programming. The EL Fellow will also be requested
to teach at the US Embassys American Center. S/he will teach three hours of
conversation classes to an intermediate level group and three hours of TOEFL classes to
an advanced level group per week. There will be 10-12 people in each group. Overall s/he
will spend 10 hours per week together with preparations at the American Center.

Project Objectives
The US Embassy seeks to develop a wider base of English language speakers throughout
Azerbaijan, which, with its 93% (predominantly Shia) Muslim population, as well as its
strategic location between Iran, Turkey, and Russia, is an important regional partner of
the United States. Proficiency in English will help the country to strengthen its
international connections, develop market-based economy, obtain access to more
educational resources, and foster free and open information environment. Developing
English language skills in Azerbaijan will also create a more receptive audience for the
US culture, ideas, and initiatives. In order to facilitate the development of teaching
English, the Embassy works closely with Azerbaijani English Teachers Association
(AzETA) With the support of the US Embassy, AzETA has already established four
satellite branches in rural regions outside the capital city of Baku, with other branches
currently under discussion.

About the Host Institution

ATI was established in 2006 with the initiative of developing tourism in Azerbaijan. Its
School of Tourism and Leisure Management has eight majors:
1. Tourism Management
2. Tourism Marketing
3. Tourism socio-cultural service
4. Sports tourism
5. Art and cultural tourism
6. Health, spa and wellness tourism
7. Travel and Tourism Guiding (bilingual)
8. Service and medical treatment administration in resorts.
The Institute has 500 students with about 20 English teachers. The Rector of ATI is
personally interested in developing students English skills, as well as English teachers'
professional development.
The American Center, located at the Azerbaijan University of Languages (AUL), shares a
spacious room sufficient for hosting collections and programs. The availability of state-
of-the-art video conferencing equipment, multimedia/slide/overhead projectors ensures
that a variety of events is accommodated in a professional manner. The central location at
AUL has provided a natural audience (University students who are majoring in foreign
languages) while being located close to the Embassy and easily accessible to the general
public. Most popular programs (by category) held at the Center are Conversation clubs,
DVCs, online languages courses and web forums, and movie nights.
http://dosfan.lib.uic.edu/usia/E-USIA/education/engteaching/rpts/een.htm
[see EUROPE-USIA and TEFL Teacher Training Support in Central and Eastern
Europe and the NIS in Europe notes]

circa 1999

RELO Trains Former FLEX Program Participants to Teach English in Azerbaijan

Provinces

USIS Azerbaijan combined the expertise of RELO Bill Ancker with the talent, skills and
enthusiasm of 10 Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) Program graduates to create an
English teaching program that reached 200 students throughout the provinces of
Azerbaijan. The program served to provide not only invaluable teacher training and
English language teaching opportunities but also a model of community commitment and
civic responsibility in four targeted regions (Ganja, Quba, Lenkoran and Naxichivan).
The three week program consisted of a one week workshop for the 10 FLEX graduates
led by Ancker and two week courses taught by the graduates in the targeted regions.
English teaching was an ideal venue for the FLEX alumni to share their experiences,
English skills, understanding of civic education, and enthusiasm with young people in the
provinces of Azerbaijan. The FLEX Program is a program that brings outstanding young
people from the Newly Independent States to the United States for one year of study.
Approximately 6,200 students are graduates of the FLEX Program.
http://www.culturalpolicies.net/web/azerbaijan.php?aid=422

Azerbaijan/ 4.2 Recent policy issues and debates

4.2.2 Language issues and policies

According to the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan of 1995, "The Azerbaijanian

language is the state language of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the state provides
development of the Azerbaijanian language. The Republic of Azerbaijan ensures free use
and development of other languages spoken by the population (Article 21)." Russian is
considered to be the second most important language and is widely used in most large
cities. The share of pupils of state day general educational schools according to language
teaching at the beginning of the 2007/2008 school year was 92% - in the Azerbaijan
language, 7.2% - in the Russian language and 0.1% - in Georgian.

On 18 June 2001, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan signed a Law on the
Improvement of the Use of the State Language. It points out the need for the
comprehensive use of the state language and the general use of Latin script. The Law on
the State Language of the Republic of Azerbaijan, which came into force in January 2003,
prescribes using protection and development measures for the state language. There are
no official language quotas in the mass media.

http://www.culturalpolicies.net/web/azerbaijan.php?
aid=519&cid=1050&lid=en&curl=422
Azerbaijan/ 5.1 General legislation

5.1.9 Language laws

After regaining independence, the Azerbaijani language was recognised as the state
language in the 1995 Constitution, and conditions for its widespread use in all areas of
the nation's life have been created. The Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Mass
Media (February, 2000) states: "No language limitations are applied to the mass media in
the territory of the Azerbaijan Republic" (Article 6). The Law on the State Language of
the Republic of Azerbaijan was passed and came into force in January 2003. The Law on
Advertising (October, 1997) determines that advertising in the territory of the Republic of
Azerbaijan must be in the state language, with the use of other languages when it
necessary.