On March 22, 2019, the Municipality of Valence hosted YSU Ijevan Branch Delegation.

The meeting was attended by Valence Mayor Nikolas Daragon, deputy mayor F.Doman, numerous representatives of the Armenian community, N. Qeshishyan, President of the Center for Armenian Cultural Heritage and Friends, President of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) K. Margaryan and hosted families.

Mr. Daragon warmly welcomed the Armenian delegation. He touched upon the French-Armenian centuries-old friendships, Ijevan-Valence cooperation, YSUIB and Valence Maestris University students exchange program. The Mayor expressed hope that the exchange program would become more effective, thanked all for organizing the Armenian students’ visit and individual benefactors.

Then the head of the Armenian delegation A. Mardanyan delivered a speech. She conveyed her gratitude for warm reception and handed the tour guide about Tavush region by YSUIB Director. Ms. Mardanyan also underlined that they were proud that Gohar Hamzyan, YSUIB former lecturer, was doing a patriotic job to help her own university.

The meeting ended with a reception.

The Branch students left with beautiful gifts and warm impressions.

On March 22, 2019, YSU Ijevan Branch hosted an event entitled “The Brainiest Francophone” dedicated to Francophonie days in Armenia, organized by the Department of French Language and Literature, on the initiative of lecturers Mira Karapetyan and Anahit Hovhannisyan.

The intellectual game was attended by Acting Director of YSUIB V. A. Tsutsulyan, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Humanities K. Poghosyan, vice-dean V.Aghababyan, lecturers and students.

The second, third and fourth- year students, learning French as the first and second foreign language, took part in the intellectual game.

The participants, according to the colors of the French flag, were divided into three, White, Red and Blue teams and the game started.

The questionnaire included a variety of questions about France, French civilization, art, sports, Francophonie.

The game was held in an engaging and enthusiastic atmosphere and the students demonstrated their profound knowledge of French and French civilization.

The White Team became the winner.

At the end of the game, A. V.Tsutsulyan, K. Poghosyan and V. Aghababyan conveyed their gratitude to the students.

Mr. Tsutsulyan welcomed the students and encouraged the organization of such events that stimulate curiosity towards France and the French. He expressed hope that such events would be continuous and handed diplomas and awards to the winning team and active participants.

The event turned into a great holiday of French culture.

In the second semester of 2018-2019 academic year, the training course on “Academic English” is being conducted by PhD, Associate professor of YSUIB Department of English Language and Literature Narine Gasparyan and Assistant of the same Department Zaruhi Antonyan.

The training course aims at developing English writing and speaking skills of learners (YSUIB lecturers), to create the basis for academic and scientific communication, which will enable to convey thoughts in English in terms of subjects and understand what is being read or heard within linguistic material.

“There are manifold reasons to learn English today. For example, English is an international language. English is the language of 5 world’s largest media centers. Knowledge of English enables learning abroad and improving the quality of education. Armenia’s strategic plan is tourism development, but being a small country, Armenia can not develop tourism in its language (in Armenian): it is possible only in English … Most of YSUIB lecturers are not fluent in English, as French has been widely used for a long time in the region. Taking into account the above mentioned and many other factors, YSUIB carries out training course on “Academic English” for its lecturers”, underlined Z. Antonyan.

The training course aims at developing communication skills in 4 main skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing), as the four types of linguistic activities make it possible to create a natural linguistic and communication environment.

 It is designed to implement 6 levels of learning (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2), which will allow the learner to use English in specialized literature, to comprehend written and spoken scientific discourse, as well as to communicate on professional issues.

The professorial staff of YSUIB has been grouped according to the level of English proficiency and is currently conducting the English language A1 training course, that includes the Branch 29 lecturers.

Within the framework of this training course, the lecturers will be provided with basic knowledge of English phonetics, grammar and vocabulary. In general, the English A1 level is aimed at combining traditional and intensive methods to build students’ ability to listen, read, translate, and retell.

The total duration of the training course is 10 weeks (60 hours) and will end on June 28, with an exam (English language test).

The training is being held in an engaging and interactive atmosphere and the lecturers show great interest.