Access English MicroScholarship Program - Armenia 2012-14

Երկրի օր 2014 | Earth Day 2014

Ի՞նչ եք անում դուք ձեր համայնքը, քաղաքը, երկիրը մաքուր պահելու համար: | What are you doing to keep your community, city, country clean?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3npjwkJgBk&feature=share

50 English Words with 'ch' Pronounced /k/ - American English Pronunciation Lesson http://www.englishteachermelanie.com In this American English pronunciation lesson, I say 50 words where the letters 'ch' are pronounced /k/. If you like thi...

Dear Access program students, here is the mini report of the Summer Camp we enjoyed together throughout Aug. 25-27, 2013, in Tsaghkadzor.

http://www.ph-int.org/news/pr188/467/

PH International | PH News | English Summer Camp for Armenia ACCESS Students PH International

Dear Access students, although in the summer camp we mentioned to you the details of the 2014-15 FLEX Program recruitment announcement, I am posting it again for your further attention:

Future Leaders Exchange Program

The Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) Program is a US government-sponsored program for secondary school students from 10 of the republics of the former Soviet Union (Eurasia) including Armenia. The program provides full scholarship funding for students to travel to the United States, attend a US high school for a full academic year (July/August to May/June), and live with a US host family.

FLEX was established in 1992 as the centerpiece of the Eurasian Secondary School Initiative under the FREEDOM Support Act. Funding is provided by the US Department of State. The program was created from the conviction of former Senator Bill Bradley that the best way to ensure long lasting peace and understanding between the United States and the countries of Eurasia is to enable young people from these countries to learn about the U.S. and Americans firsthand. The primary goal of FLEX is improving mutual understanding between our countries and allowing young citizens of Eurasia to have the opportunity to observe and experience our system of government. Since the program’s inception in 1993, over 17,000 young citizens from Eurasia have participated in FLEX and have returned to their countries imbued with a new enthusiasm and desire to help others and share their newly acquired experiences and knowledge for the betterment of their home communities and countries.

Finalists are chosen through a multi-layered, merit-based selection process that draws more than 40,000 candidates annually. Participation in the selection process is open to all students that meet the eligibility requirements, which include age limitations, satisfactory academic standing, English language training, Armenian citizenship, and US visa eligibility requirements. Selection is based on the evaluation of multiple factors that contribute to a positive exchange experience and provide evidence of leadership potential. All finalists undergo an extensive orientation to life in America, and pursue a full course of study at a US high school. Following completion of their program students must return to their homes in Armenia, where FLEX alumni association sponsor activities throughout the year.

Who is Eligible to Apply to FLEX Program?

In order to apply for FLEX program in September 2013, eligible applicants for the 2014-2015 program year must:

- be born between March 15, 1996 and July 15, 1999 AND
- be currently enrolled in a secondary school in the 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th grades*
- have an academic standing of “good” or better
- have previously studied English and demonstrated English Language ability at the time of registration
- meet U.S. visa eligibility requirements
- be a citizen of Armenia and be able to receive a passport in Armenia

The age/grade eligibility requirements for students with DISABILITIES are the following:

students must be born between March 1, 1996 and July 15, 1999
they must be studying in 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th grades*

*Students in 12th form must be exempt from military service.

Students who are in the 8th (students with disabilities only), 9th, or 10th form when they apply who become finalists will return to Armenia and continue on in the 10th, 11th, or 12th form, respectively.

Students who are in the 11th form when they apply who become finalists will return to Armenia and study in the 12th form, as they may not participate in the school exit/university entrance exams upon their return to Armenia.

Students who are in the 12th form when they apply who become finalists will participate in the school exit/university entrance exams prior their departure to the U.S. and must request that their scores be retained for use upon their return to Armenia in accordance with the Republic of Armenia decision number 597 of April 26, 2012 (point 43 and point 70–sub–points 8,9, and 10) in order that they may enter university immediately upon their return to Armenia.

Students are ineligible to apply if:

- they do not meet the above criteria
- they have stayed in the U.S. for three (3) months or more during the past five (5) years
- their family has applied, is applying, or has made plans to emigrate to the United States.

Applicants MUST submit the following for registration:

- Birth certificate or passport (original)
- 1 photo /size 3×4/
- a pen


Testing Schedule
Registration and testing for the competition for the FLEx 2014-2015 program year will take place as follows:

September 09, 09:00, Hrazdan , School Number 13, Center

September 09, 09:30, Ijevan, School Number 4, Nalbandyan St. 1

September 10, 09:00, Vanadzor, School Number 2, Heratsi St. 17

September 10, 09:30, Martuni, School Number 1, Komitas St. 25

September 10, 16:00, Yeghegnadzor, Youth Center, Momiki St. 1

September 11, 14:00, Sisian, School Number 3, Miasnikyan St.

September 11, 10:00, Students with Disabilities ONLY, American councils Armenia, Imperium Plaza Business Center, 4/7 Amiryan St., 5th Floor

September 12, 09:00. Talin, Talin High School, Gorky St. 13

September 12, 09:00, Goris, Branch of National Institute of Education, Gusan Ashoti St. 32

September 13, 09:00, Gyumri, School Number 20, Thatcher St. 1

September 13, 09:00, Kapan, School Number 2, M. Stepanyan St. 5

September 16, 09:30, Yerevan and Other Marzes, TBA

Competition

The competition consists of three rounds.

Round 1: English Language Test

Students meeting the age and grade criteria take a 15 minute, 16-question, multiple-choice English language test held in testing centers throughout the country. The results of Round 1 are announced on a posted list or by internet the same or next day and selected students are invited to participate in Round 2.

Round 2: Essay

Students selected to participate in Round 2 write three in-class essays (in English) in response to specific questions. The results of Round 2 are announced by telephone after 3 weeks. All Round 2 participants will be notified of outcomes, whether they are positive or negative. Selected students will be invited to participate in Round 3.

Round 3: English Language Test, Essay, Group Activity, Interview, and Application

Students selected to participate in Round 3 take a standardized multiple-choice English test, write two in-class essays (in English) in response to specific questions, participate in a group activity, and take part in a one-on-one interview. In addition, students must complete and submit to the American Councils Armenia Yerevan office (within 2 weeks) an application form. The results of Round 3 are announced by telephone approximately 6 months later. All Round 3 participants will be notified of outcomes, whether they are positive or negative.

Selection Process

American Councils organizes and trains approximately 150 volunteer evaluators – professionals in education and international relations in the United States. They select program finalists and alternates. Selection is based on merit as evidenced in a comprehensive application; teacher reference; and demonstrated preparedness for a year-long exchange experience. The selection process is completed in spring and all applicants receive notification of their status by mid-April.

For more information, contact American Councils:
Address: Imperium Plaza Business Center
4/7 Amiryan Street

5th Floor

Yerevan 0010
Armenia
Tel. (374 10) 54 40 15, 54 40 12, 56 00 45
Էլ. փոստ. [email protected]

Dear ACCESS Program students, here is a chance for you to win a Kindle Reader. So, if you want to try, please write your story and submit it for this Story Contest in Armenian. Here is the link for you to check all requirements:

http://dprocakan.wordpress.com/2013/01/11/short-story-competition/

Շարադրությունների մրցույթ. «Կարդացի և… » «Զարթոնք-89» հասարակական կազմակերպությունը և «Երիտասարդ լրագրողների առցանց ակումբը» հայտարարում են «Կարդացի և… » խորագրով ստեղծագործական շարադրությունների մրցույթ: Մրցույթին կարող են ներկա...

News from the American University of Armenia!

If you are interested in pursuing an undergraduate degree in Armenia or know someone who is, then stop by AUA (alone or with family) between 10AM and 3PM this Saturday and check out our Undergraduate Open House – at Baghramyan 40 – at the AUA Main Building. Meet with Deans and faculty, tour the campus and learn about our new undergraduate programs and admissions. AUA is providing a global education in Armenia. The University is committed to providing high-quality undergraduate and graduate education to well-qualified applicants on a non-discriminatory basis, regardless of ability to pay.

Starting September 2013, AUA will be offering three undergraduate majors:

- BA in Business (Accounting, Marketing, Economics, General)

- BS in Computational Sciences (Mathematical Modeling, Computer Science, General)

- BA in English & Communications (Public Relations, Writing & Translations, General)

You and your family are warmly invited to our AUA Undergraduate Open House event this Saturday, the 10th of November from 10:00 till 15:00 at the AUA Main Building (Baghramyan 40).

The first admissions presentation will take place at 10:30 followed by a tour of the facilities/majors at 11:30 AM. A reception will follow at 12:30 PM. A second presentation/tour will then start at 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM, respectively.

The staff of AUA look forward to seeing you and your family at their campus this Saturday, 10:00.

Please feel free to contact them at 32 40 40 with any questions or via email at [email protected].

Do you want to study in United World Colleges in Canada, U.S., Italy.?
Here's a great chance for you to APPLY if you are:

1) Armenian by nationality,
2) 16-18 years old as of 1 September 2012, and
3) study in high school and have great academic records.
4) know good English.

There is a different application process for non native applicants. For students who are not native citizens of the host country or are landed immigrants, they apply through their UWC national committee. Please note that national committees in other countries may have different application deadlines than Canada. You will find contact information for national committees on the UWC website - (www.uwc.org)

For Armenia now there is application call and form for 2012, so please, send your questions to the UWC selection in Armenia, Simone Sgarbossa at ([email protected])

Calling Canadian grade 11 students! Join the UWC movement and study grade 12 and gap year on Canada's pacific coast. Application live now at pearsoncollege.ca

On Oct. 12, the English ACCESS MicroScholarship Program brought together 60 students and their teachers from Diljan, Nor Hachn, and Chambarak to participate in a networking event based in Dilijan’s High School. The event offered the students a chance to know their peers from other program sites, to meet alumni of U.S. government funded PH programs and, the representatives of the Public Affairs Section in the U.S. Embassy in Armenia.

The students and the teachers were excited to receive sets of new books and educational resources from PH International and the U.S. Embassy, and then the agenda proceeded with interesting activities that offered the students a lot of new information about the exchange programs implemented by the U.S. government in and for Armenia, and the U.S. culture. The students had a lot of fun, learning a new song with Sean O’Hara and Hasmik Mikaelyan, the guests from the Embassy. Then they heard the stories of the invited 3 guest speakers - Astghik Zakaryan, an alumnae of U.S.G. funded (IVLP) International Visitors’ Leadership Program of 2000 and DOTCOM (Developing Online Tools for Community Outreach and Mobilization) Program of 2010-11, Arman Ayvazyan , an alumnus of Armenia-Turkey-USA YouthLAB (Leadership Across Borders) Program, Mr. Ara Aramyan, Director of Dilijan High School and an alumnus of USAID-funded Community Connections program of 2011 who shared their impressions of American host families, the U.S. culture, how participation in the exchange program impacted their mentality and influenced their educational and professional careers, how important English was for interacting with participants from other countries.

Then Mariam Martirosyan of PH led a session on the elements of culture, high-context and low-context cultures, stereotypes and gaffes during cross-cultural communication. The students really enjoyed working in mixed cross-regional teams to define culture and present to other groups the products of their team brainstorming. In friendly atmosphere they provided feedback to one another, and discussed the common elements and differences in their definitions. The students watched an interesting clip (“Silent Beats”) on stereotypes and discussed the importance of being open and non-judgmental when being exposed to unfamiliar aspects of the culture the language of which they are learning.

After discussing the importance of building vocabulary while learning a foreign language and creative approach to expressing ideas, the students and the teachers watched a video on the power of words which became the highlight of the day. Join our group and watch that great video:

The Power of Words This short film illustrates the power of words to radically effect change. Discover the power of transforming your own words in Andrea Gardner's book 'Change...

ACCESS Program students with Maria Hovhannisyan, ACCESS Teacher of Dilijan site, and Mariam Martirosyan, Country Director of PH's Office in Armenia.