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Wicked Local, MA
Feb 23 2013
Armenian teachers experience Pingree
by By Jennie Oemig
Hamilton-Wenham - In an exchange with an Armenian High School, two
teachers from the Republic were able to visit and experience what the
Pingree School has to offer; in turn, two Pingree teachers will be
traveling to Armenia next month.
Ruzanna Navasardyan and Eleanora Ananyan, teachers at School No. 114
in Yerevan, Armenia, spent 12 days in South Hamilton learning the ins
and outs of the Pingree School.
"High school is new for us," Navasardyan said. "It's been only 10
years that we've had high school."
Navasardyan explained that before high schools came to be in Armenia,
students only attended secondary schools before going to university.
One thing Navasardyan said is different in Armenia is that students
start learning foreign languages in first grade, studying Armenian,
Russian and English.
In fourth grade, students begin studying an additional language -
either French, German or Italian - for a total of four.
In addition to language, grammar and literature, Navasardyan said
students study English history and traditions on a daily basis, which
will likely delight the Pingree teachers on their visit.
"They will find we know a lot about your history, traditions and
customs," she said, adding that Armenians also celebrate American
holidays.
Navasardyan also noted that, unlike Pingree, there aren't art and
engineering classes at School No. 114.
When they return to Armenia, Navasardyan and Ananyan will have a
meeting with authorities at their school to share their experiences
and observations.
"It was nice to come here," Navasardyan said. "I've never been to an
English-speaking country before."
Though the visit to Pingree was the first teacher exchange with a
private school, Navasardyan said there was a student exchange 15 years
ago with Watertown.
"They study for a year in America, then come back and study at
university," she said, adding that she hopes there will be a similar
student exchange in the near future.
Navasardyan said she was extremely thankful for the accommodations
provided to her and Ananyan during their visit.
Ananyan said she had a wonderful time in the Commonwealth.
"The exchange program has taught us a lot," she said. "Pingree is so
nice. There are many interesting people ... they're so educated and
intelligent."
Ananyan also noted that Pingree is able to offer its students a great education.
"They have all the conveniences," she said. "The rooms are
well-equipped, teachers have good qualifications ... I think the
students are very satisfied."
Overall, Ananyan said she thought the educational opportunities for
students were much better at Pingree.
The visit also cleared up a lot of predetermined notions Ananyan said
she had about the United States.
"I thought it was a very dangerous country," she said. "But I have
changed my opinion. Even people here don't lock their doors ... I'd like
to come again."
http://www.wickedlocal.com/hamilton/news/x1037515286/Armenian-teachers-experience-Pingree
Feb 23 2013
Armenian teachers experience Pingree
by By Jennie Oemig
Hamilton-Wenham - In an exchange with an Armenian High School, two
teachers from the Republic were able to visit and experience what the
Pingree School has to offer; in turn, two Pingree teachers will be
traveling to Armenia next month.
Ruzanna Navasardyan and Eleanora Ananyan, teachers at School No. 114
in Yerevan, Armenia, spent 12 days in South Hamilton learning the ins
and outs of the Pingree School.
"High school is new for us," Navasardyan said. "It's been only 10
years that we've had high school."
Navasardyan explained that before high schools came to be in Armenia,
students only attended secondary schools before going to university.
One thing Navasardyan said is different in Armenia is that students
start learning foreign languages in first grade, studying Armenian,
Russian and English.
In fourth grade, students begin studying an additional language -
either French, German or Italian - for a total of four.
In addition to language, grammar and literature, Navasardyan said
students study English history and traditions on a daily basis, which
will likely delight the Pingree teachers on their visit.
"They will find we know a lot about your history, traditions and
customs," she said, adding that Armenians also celebrate American
holidays.
Navasardyan also noted that, unlike Pingree, there aren't art and
engineering classes at School No. 114.
When they return to Armenia, Navasardyan and Ananyan will have a
meeting with authorities at their school to share their experiences
and observations.
"It was nice to come here," Navasardyan said. "I've never been to an
English-speaking country before."
Though the visit to Pingree was the first teacher exchange with a
private school, Navasardyan said there was a student exchange 15 years
ago with Watertown.
"They study for a year in America, then come back and study at
university," she said, adding that she hopes there will be a similar
student exchange in the near future.
Navasardyan said she was extremely thankful for the accommodations
provided to her and Ananyan during their visit.
Ananyan said she had a wonderful time in the Commonwealth.
"The exchange program has taught us a lot," she said. "Pingree is so
nice. There are many interesting people ... they're so educated and
intelligent."
Ananyan also noted that Pingree is able to offer its students a great education.
"They have all the conveniences," she said. "The rooms are
well-equipped, teachers have good qualifications ... I think the
students are very satisfied."
Overall, Ananyan said she thought the educational opportunities for
students were much better at Pingree.
The visit also cleared up a lot of predetermined notions Ananyan said
she had about the United States.
"I thought it was a very dangerous country," she said. "But I have
changed my opinion. Even people here don't lock their doors ... I'd like
to come again."
http://www.wickedlocal.com/hamilton/news/x1037515286/Armenian-teachers-experience-Pingree