Help Rooms – So Far So Good!

First lessons were given in the framework of the 'Help Rooms' project, which was organized by students of the Master's program in Foreign Languages and Cross-cultural Communication. Tutors have shared their first impressions with us and we asked them what it is like -- to be a mentor. So, the first classes took place and we decided to ask the young teachers how their first lessons were and find out what their students think about their classes.

Here is a short interview with MA students and tutors Daria Martynovich and Lusine Mnatsakanyan.

Dear tutors, could you please tell us, how were your first lessons of the «HelpRooms» project?

Daria: 'It turned out that the number of students who wanted to learn German significantly outweighed the number of those who were ready to do that, so first lessons were a bit messy. However, I managed to get acquainted  with the students and to find out what they would like to learn on my lessons'.

Lusine: 'The first lesson was not what I expected it to be — it is not easy to teach a big group of students who are only 1-2 years younger than you. Nevertheless, I'm gradually getting used to such an educational environment and it helps me to find a specific approach to my target audience'.

What do your students think of your initiative?

Daria: 'They do find it quite interesting. Of course they understand that we are not professional teachers yet, we're just gaining experience. I've given two lessons so far and the number of students hasn't changed which is a good tendency!'

Lusine: 'My students are very positive about it. One the one hand, they understand perfectly well that we're still students and not professional teachers. On the other hand, they have high expectations and real needs. I find it useful as it really motivates me. What is more, they are extremely thankful as they understand that we do is not our job, that we do that just to help them. They really appreciate our effort'.

What do you like most about tutoring?

Daria: 'First of all, I like sharing my experience and knowledge with others. Besides, I'm happy to have an opportunity to teach German — I simply had no time to work with it because of two basic languages which I study — English and Spanish'.

Lusine: 'This question makes me think of a professor from the second year of my bachelor studies who once said: "Do you know what I want to do when I realize I own some important knowledge? I want to share it". I didn't understand then why she spent her free time teaching me for free. Now I do. Besides, it's a useful experience for us as well — we're learning while teaching'.

What are your expectations and plans for the future?

Daria: 'I hope that "HelpRooms" project will open the door to a great world of teaching for me. No doubt, I will gain useful experience and will make lessons plans which I will be able to use with another audiences in the future. I hope our students will continue this wonderful tradition when we graduate'.

Lusine: 'Surely, I want to continue gaining knowledge and share them with the students who are so eager to learn something new at my lessons! I hope this new tradition will be passed on from generation to generation. I think it's an honor for our department'. 

Congratulations on the successful launch of the great new tradition and hope for its successful continuation!

We also thank our tutors:Ksenia Bekmansurova, Diana Bogdarenko, Alexander Grigoriev, Daria Martynovich, Maria Maurus, Lysine Mnatsakanyan, Zhang Zhixue and Margarita Naukenova!