NETRUZ Champion Teacher: Jamola Urunbaeva

Jamola Urunbaeva Ikramjanovna is an EFL teacher at Inter Nation English Language School teaching IELTS preparation classes. She taught Grammar in Context, Vocabulary, Writing, Integrated Skills, Discourse Analysis, Listening and Speaking, Language Teaching Course, Teaching Development Course, and ICT in Education when she worked as an EFL Teacher at the “Department of Teaching English in Integrated Ways” at Uzbek State World Languages University for five years. She did two Masters Degrees in English Linguistics at Uzbek State World Languages University, Tashkent, Uzbekistan in 2015 and a Masters of Arts in English Language Teaching at the “English Language Department” of Hasan Ali Yucel Faculty of Education at Istanbul University, Turkey in 2012. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Philology from Uzbek State World Languages University, Tashkent, Uzbekistan, between 2005 and 2009.

Her Research Interests: The Paradigm Shift in Teaching the English Language in Third World Countries, intercultural Competence in Language Teaching/Learning, Experimental Research on the Implications of Current Models and Frameworks at Specific Setting, Collaborative learning, Enhancing communicative skills, Promoting a global community & cultural exchange.

Abstract of the EAR research project

The present investigation is an exploratory action research (EAR) project and was conducted to define and deal with challenging and disruptive students in EFL classrooms. The participants of the study were B1 (pre-intermediate) level General English course students at Inter Nation English Language School in Uzbekistan, and their ages ranged from 13 to 31. The data was compiled through two different questionnaires in the form of students’ reports in order to provide answers to two research questions. First, an exploratory practice (EP) was carried out with the participation of 42 students from three general English classes by using the first questionnaire as the data collection tool. The purpose was to comprehend what disruptive behaviour in the class meant to students and to explore students’ awareness of how they think of challenging and disruptive students in terms of the seriousness level to be dealt with in classes. Following the EP findings, a five-week action research (AR) project was supported in one of the classes with the participation of 15 students. The AR study was the application of the arisen subjects from the EP in the form of accepted student behaviours. Resulting in the classroom enactments, the second data collection tool, which was the second questionnaire, was handed to the students. The verdicts of the second questionnaire delivered the considerations of the students on the AR study. The collected data was content analyzed, and the teacher-researcher provided reflections on the whole development.

NETRUZ Champion Teacher: Guzal Eshchanova

My name is Guzal Eshchanova. I received my MA in Linguistics (English language) from the Uzbek State World Language University University of Uzbekistan in 2007, and BA in Philology (English language) from Uzbekistan State World Languages University in 2000. I have been working as a teacher of 
English in Higher Education for 22 years. Currently, I am a Senior Lecturer of “Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineer” National Research University. Simultaneously I work as an English teacher at Specialized School on Exact Sciences under the mentioned university. I am also actively participating in various British Council projects, e.g. the Online Teacher Community Team, Change Academy, etc. I also decided to take part in this training to improve my teaching practices.

My NETRUZ Classroom-based Research Project was aimed at identifying proper vocabulary teaching strategies for ESP students majoring in Agricultural Mechanization (students especially with less developed ESP vocabulary).  I have been motivating my learners to overcome various vocabulary learning difficulties, which hinder their proper communication with each other.  My students believe that learning English for Specific Purposes will lead them to acquire speciality-related foreign languages and make them become competitive graduators, which is a demand of the labour market at present. With this in mind, they work hard on themselves and as a supporter, I also assist them to overcome the language barrier by accelerating their speaking skills in English. Thanks to the NETRUZ project I am improving my teaching skills as well as my students’ vocabulary learning skills in my lessons.

In my research project, I explored the reasons why my students (students of agricultural mechanization) use less ESP vocabulary, sometimes even L1 in English classes and the ways to switch them on English in laboratories, where I conducted my classes with the aim to increase the motivation of my students. I started to pay more attention to the way that learners use English with me in the class, even before the audience in the laboratory classes, where different tractor equipment was demonstrated for new guests with the participation of students. It was interesting for me to understand my learners' perceptions and expectations. Additionally, identifying my colleague's opinions about my classes through critical-friend observations was huge assistance for me, as we could find the solutions to the existing problems, that we faced in our classes. I learnt about other ELT teachers' experiences related to my context from different articles and webinars provided by NETRUZ Project.

Reflection on training and exploratory action research:

Overall, within the training course, I was able to develop the methodologies that work in my teaching context and learnt how the learning outcomes might be better when as teachers we feel our readiness to change our approaches in teaching with a big hope for better understanding. 

NETRUZ Champion Teacher: Nozima Mukhtarova

My name is Nozima Mukhtarova Kuchkarovna. I received my MA in Linguistics (English language) from the National University of Uzbekistan in 2021, and BA in Philology (English language) from Uzbekistan State World Languages University in 2005. I have worked as an English teacher at academic lyceums for 14 years and at school for 2 years. Currently, I am a Senior Instructor of the Communicative English Module at the Branch of the Russian State Pedagogical University named after A.I. Herzen in Tashkent. Simultaneously I work as an English teacher at Specialized School N-227.

To develop proficiency skills, I have become a member of the Online Teacher Community Team organized by the British Council. I have accomplished English Language and ELT Methodology Programme.

My research interests for the NETRUZ project:

In the following EAR I am determined to find ways of encouraging my students to interact with each other in English during the classes, to improve their English communicative skills, particularly speaking. I would like to boost confidence in them, help them to overcome the language barrier, motivate and accelerate their speaking in English. Thanks to the NETRUZ project I am improving my teaching skills as well as my students’ attitude to my lessons.

The abstract of my research project:

My topic was devoted to exploring the reasons why my students (students of preschool education direction) use mostly L1 in English classes and the ways to switch them on English. I explored how my students feel while speaking in class to me, to each other and to the whole audience. I tried to find out what are their perceptions, expectations, needs and hopes of the class. Besides, I asked my colleague to observe my lesson and exchanged her opinion on this issue. I learnt about other ELT teachers' experiences related to my context from different articles and webinars provided by NETRUZ Project.

Reflection on training and exploratory action research:

The training was designed in high quality, to develop the proficiency skills of English teachers with the help of triangulation: exploring yourself, your learners and other teachers’ experience. It was unique in terms of exchanging ideas, learning to question appropriately and finding the right answer, approaching an issue from different points which surely serve to be more critical and creative. All mentors contributed with informative presentations, were supportive and motivating. This training helped me to design materials concerning my students’ abilities and preferences, to be open to my students, to let them know that I am not different to their perceptions and expectations. Moreover, it helped me to engage my students in learning English with pleasure and to boost their wish to use the target language more. Overall I benefited from this course in terms of exploring my attitude to each lesson, creating more engaging activities by learning my students’ weaknesses, strengths and wishes.

NETRUZ Teacher-Researchers' Projects

The NETRUZ teacher-researchers explored their teaching practices, identified challenges or puzzles and took actions to bring changes to their classroom. Their fantastic exploratory action research projects were presented at the ReSIG: Teachers Research! Online 2021 International Conference on December 11, 2021 at 14:00 (UK time) or 19:00 (Tashkent time).

Did you watch the wonderful presentations of NETRUZ teacher-researchers at the ReSIG: Teachers Research! Online 2021 International Conference?

If no, these teacher-researchers recorded their exploratory action research projects for you.

Malika Mirvokhidova, EAP teacher, TEAM University, Uzbekistan

Link to the padlet: Ensuring students` engagement in task completion

Dildora Khallyeva, ESP teacher, University of World Economy and Diplomacy, Uzbekistan

Link to the padlet: Students’ low level of motivation while studying remotely

Feruza Erkulova, EFL Teacher, PhD Student, Namangan State University, Uzbekistan

Link to the padlet: Making online grammar learning engaging for students

Dilafruz Sarimsakova, EFL Teacher, Namangan State University, Uzbekistan

Link to the padlet: Motivating students to develop their autonomy

Ella Maksakova, EAP Teacher Researcher, British Management University in Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Link to the padlet: Strategies for pairing EAP foundation year students for speaking activities

Nilufar Tillaeva, Adjunct Professor, Webster University in Tashkent

Link to the presentation: How to develop critical thinking in students’ writing

ReSIG: Teachers Research! Online 2021 International Conference

ReSIG: Teachers Research! Online 2021 International Conference - December 10-11, 2021

NETRUZ's 6 teacher-researchers have done fantastic exploratory action research projects. They explored their teaching practices and took actions to bring changes into their classroom.  These teacher-researchers will be presenting at the ReSIG: Teachers Research! Online 2021 International Conference on December 11, 2021 at 14:00 (UK time)/ 19:00 (Tashkent time). 

Who are these wonderful teacher-researchers?

 Ensuring students` engagement in task completion

 Malika Mirvokhidova, EAP teacher

TEAM University, Uzbekistan

Teachers expect from their learners active participation and completed tasks. However, expectations are not always met and this can make teachers more encouraged to explore their classroom practices. This presentation aims to share the EAR findings, which focuses on challenges related to student engagement and task completion and the ways to overcome them.

Students’ low level of motivation while studying remotely

Dildora Khallyeva, ESP teacher

University of World Economy and Diplomacy, Uzbekistan

This talk is aimed at those who would like to learn how to increase students’ motivation to study online. I will also share my research findings on the reasons for students’ low motivation and suggest some feasible ways of making them more engaged in online classes.

Making online grammar learning engaging for students

Feruza Erkulova, EFL Teacher, PhD Student

Namangan State University, Uzbekistan

School graduates are required to take grammar tests to enter national universities. This is the reason why they mainly focus on their grammar development. This research investigates the difficulties students faced while studying grammar online. It also suggests ways to overcome these difficulties.

Motivating students to develop their autonomy

 Dilafruz Sarimsakova, EFL Teacher

Namangan State University, Uzbekistan

Developing autonomous learning has always been a core issue in ELT for years as it promotes students with a positive environment, motivating, encourages collaboration, and social interaction. The presentation refers to my EAR results on how to motivate students to develop their autonomy.

Strategies for pairing EAP foundation year students for speaking activities

 Ella Maksakova, EAP Teacher Researcher

British Management University in Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Being an EAP teacher at a foundation year program at EMI university in a non-English-speaking country imposes some context-specific challenges on teaching and learning EAP. The purpose of this research is to share the findings on the reasons for the unwillingness of EAP students to participate in speaking pair work activities and consequently on changes observed after some actions were taken.

How to develop critical thinking in students’ writing

 Nilufar Tillaeva, Adjunct Professor

Webster University in Tashkent

EFL learners usually find writing challenging due to which they can become less motivated and engaged in it. The research focuses on how the integration of critical thinking in writing activities influence their language development.

The presentation sessions by NETRUZ teacher-researchers (ROOM 3) will be livestreamed in the following Facebook group: 

Room 3 – https://www.facebook.com/groups/mentoringTR [Mentoring Teacher-research Facebook group]

Stay tuned,

NETRUZ

Handbook of Formative Assessment Practices

Within the project which was supported by Hornby Trust and British Council, the Handbook of Formative Assessment Practices was developed. This Handbook of formative assessment practices will introduce five main strategies of formative assessment suggested by scholars and help teachers to know how to integrate formative assessment in their classroom processes. These strategies, if used, have the potential to improve the learning processes of students, leading to quality education.

This Handbook consists of two parts: Training materials and Articles. The first part of the book is a collection of (self) training materials produced by local experienced teachers and teacher educators E. Menglieva, G. Niyazova, and G. Tojieva. The second part of the Handbook is an edited collection of research articles written by teachers and teacher educators working at local and international universities in Uzbekistan. The units and research articles were reviewed and edited by Elyanora Meglieva, the Project Lead, Nilufar Begibaeva, Republican research centre for the development of innovative methods in teaching foreign languages, Uzbekistan and Inomiddin Imomov, Inservice and retraining institute of managers and specialist personnel of public education system named after A.Avloniy.

The main reason for publishing this Handbook is to offer English language teachers to explore formative assessment practices, implement some of the outlined strategies in their teaching context and reflect on their formative assessment experience. The first part of the Handbook with training materials can be completed individually or in groups with colleagues. This Handbook can be used informally for your own reflections on your formative assessment practices, for teacher training workshops organised in your educational institutions, etc. Besides, the research articles selected for this publication offer some useful insights into the assessment practices in the context of Uzbekistan.

 To download the Handbook, go to this link: 

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ke12QbLncimOHVSBXkzz0JSUqJ-JnWbI?usp=sharing

Teacher Training on Formative Assessment Practices: Special Guest Speakers

The NETRUZ has started its teacher training course on Formative Assessment Practices. This training has been organised with the support of Hornby Trust and the British Council. There are ... guest speakers who will be presenting in this training. The NETRUZ is grateful to our guest speakers for their kind help and support.

Guest speaker Day 1: Dr. Bahia Diefenbach, USA

Dr. Bahia Diefenbach, an Instructional Design and Assessment expert, has extensive experience in teaching as well as in designing, developing, and implementing EFL/ESL training materials and curricula. She has strong leadership skills and a proven record to initiate, design, and implement innovative ideas while supporting and inspiring team members she works with. She has the ability to foster growth and interest, and to promote success. Dr. Bahia Diefenbach’s work experience in diverse cultural environments makes her adaptable to frequent changes. She has a positive attitude and effective communication skills. She is very approachable, easy to work with, and has already been proven to be a great asset to teachers and colleagues in Uzbekistan. 

  

Guest speaker Day 3: Khanh-Duc Kuttig, Germany

Khanh-Duc has an MA in TESOL from Canterbury Christ Church University (UK) and has been teaching English since 1995. Currently in the Department of English as the University of Siegen, she teaches a range of language courses on the teaching degree. She is Events Coordinator for her local teaching association as well as IATEFL’s Teacher Training and Education SIG. She is also newsletter co-editor for the TESOL Teacher Education Interest Section and is TESOL/NGL 2021 Teacher of the Year.

Guest speaker Day 4: Charlotte Benham, USA

Charlotte Benham is from Massachusetts and completed her BA in History in 2007 and her CELTA in Montréal, Canada. She started her teaching career as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in Nepal in 2009. Since then, Charlotte has worked as a teacher and administrator for ESL programs in the United States, Nepal, Bangladesh, and the United Arab Emirates. Ms. Benham has extensive experience in working with students transitioning from high school to university. Her interests lie in developing students’ critical thinking skills and the relationship between reading comprehension and academic writing. Now, she is working as an EAP teacher at British Management University in Tashkent.


Guest speaker Day 6: Prof. Lic. Andres Villalba, Argentina

Andrés Villalba is an EFL teacher with a BA in Applied Linguistics from Universidad Nacional del Litoral de Santa Fe, Argentina, and a specialization from Ohio University in USA. Andrés delivers conferences about education for universities, ministries of education and teachers’ associations in Argentina and abroad. This year he has received the Tesol International Association Award for International Participation.

Guest speaker Day 7: Kari Miller, Ecuador

Kari Miller has been a teacher and teacher educator since 1995. She has taught and trained teachers around Ecuador, working closely with various universities in Quito and Guayaquil to design and write professional development courses for secondary and higher education professors. In addition to giving courses to university professors in Quito, Guayaquil, and Ibarra, she has also participated in various writing projects, including co-authoring the Uncover for Ecuador series (Cambridge University Press), and The Academic Books 1, 2, 3, and 4. She co-authored the National EFL curriculum implemented by the Ministry of Education in 2016. Her work has been presented in several international conventions. Her latest research work was presented at TESOL 2021.

Guest speaker Day 7: Dr. Laura Loder Buechel, Switzerland

Laura Loder Buechel (https://phzh.ch/personen/laura.loder) is a teacher trainer at Zurich University of Teacher Education and an editor of the Swiss journal of language education, Babylonia (https://babylonia.online/ ). She did her undergraduate work at La Salle University (Philadelphia, USA), her graduate work at Northern Arizona University and her doctorate at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland.

Guest speaker Day 8: Dr. Lena Barrantes, Costa Rica

Dr. Lena Barrantes holds a Ph.D. from the University of Calgary in Canada. She started her career by completing an English Teaching Major. Then, she completed a Licentiate’s program in Applied Linguistics with an emphasis on English as a Foreign Language, a master's degree in Second Languages and Cultures and a master's degree in Educational Management with an Emphasis in Leadership. She has been an EFL instructor and teacher trainer for 20 years in Costa Rica, at Universidad Nacional, Sede Regional Brunca. She also worked for the Ministry of Public Education teaching young learners for 8 years. She has shared her research and practice contributions in national and international conferences, and published in journals in the area in Canada, Mexico, Spain, Argentina, Costa Rica, and Peru.

Teacher Training on Formative Assessment Practices for School Teachers

Dear English language teachers of schools,

The NETRUZ is organising a teacher training course on Formative Assessment Practices during July 6 - 15. The main aim of this project is to increase school teachers’ awareness of alternative assessment practices, encourage teachers to reflect on classroom assessment practices, equip teachers with practical formative assessment tools.

The training is organised by local teachers, teacher educators, and teacher trainers working at educational institutions of Uzbekistan and the world. Our guest speakers are from countries such as Germany, Switzerland, Argentina, the USA, etc.

• If you are an English language teacher working at schools of Uzbekistan (public, presidential, private, etc.),
• If you are interested in learning more about formative assessment practices,
• If you are interested in improving your students' learning with the help of formative assessment,
• If you want to learn more about the NETRUZ project, APPLY for this training.

Register in advance for the training via the following link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIkdemrrDopHt2V_j3aoi7INH34UNXJmSDW 

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the sessions.

Please note that the number of places is limited, so apply as early as possible.

  

Meet Your Prospective Mentor: Feruza Erkulova!

Meet your mentor who is happy and ready to help you become a teacher-researcher!

Hello fellow teachers! My name is Feruza Erkulova. I received my bachelor and master’s degrees from Namangan State University. Currently, I am teaching at Namangan State University.

My ambitions:
One of my ambitions is to become a great MENTOR and set a good example for my Mentees. Knowing that I am responsible for providing appropriate and accurate guidance to them motivates me to work harder. My role as a mentor can contribute to the success of my entire educational system where I will be the most helpful mentor and a perfect facilitator.

The research interests that I would like to help my mentees with lie in online teaching, particularly digital learning technologies, online feedback, teacher preparation to teach online, online data analysis, and surveys through digital tools. So, I would love to help you explore your virtual teaching practices and make them more effective.

Message to my mentees about the training:

For potential mentees, this is a great opportunity for you to connect with a mentor who can offer you insight, advice, opportunity – and help you navigate the next stage/s of your classroom-based research to improve your teaching practices.

Meet Your Prospective Mentor: Khallyeva Dildora!

Meet your mentor who is happy and ready to help you become a teacher-researcher!

Hello fellow teachers! My name is Khallyeva Dildora Ilkhamovna. I received my Bachelor’s in English philology and Master’s degrees in Linguistics and English literature from the Uzbek State World Languages University. I am an English language teacher at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy.

My research interests that I would like to help my mentees with: The improvement of digital learning, critical thinking in adult students; promoting positive interactions and motivation among students; collaborative learning; creativity in education.

My ambitions:

As any conscientious educator, I’m determined to improve my students, make them a little stronger, help them believe in themselves and facilitate them. Studying and improving my knowledge, I set myself such an ambitious goal as infecting as many students as possible with positive experience who can learn new skills and bring something from themselves and further promote them among their friends and loved ones.

Message to my mentees about the training:

Every student is unique with inimitable knowledge and a non-standard viewpoint. For me, there are no unfit students, I believe in each of them. I am convinced that together with you, my dear mentor, we will help our learners achieve higher learning results, empower them to do everything and overcome learning difficulties. I am always happy to support you and tell you the right way in your endeavours. Let's enjoy this journey together!

Meet Your Prospective Mentor: Malika Mirvokhidova (Kudratova)!

Meet your mentor who is happy and ready to help you become a teacher-researcher!

Hello fellow teachers! 

My name is Malika Mirvokhidova. I received my MA TESL from Webster University in Tashkent, MA Linguistics (English language) from Uzbekistan state world languages university, and BA Philology (English language) from Uzbekistan state world languages university. Currently, I am an Academic Communication Skills Module Coordinator and an Instructor for the TEAM university.

My ambitions:

From the first years of my teaching career, I felt that teaching is not the only reason for me to do this job. I intend to do good for people: help and guide them, communicate with them and encourage for new endeavours.

My research interests that I would like to help my mentees with:

Increasing lessons' efficiency; implementing environmental education into ELT; effective methods of teaching EAP. 

Message to my mentees about the training:                                                    

This training is promising to be fruitful and fascinating with carefully designed and well communicated practical workshops. It would be a great opportunity to learn and share together knowledge and experience along with local and international specialists. Join us! Join me! We will explore your classroom practices together and improve them! You will learn how to conduct exploratory action research and use it in your teaching practices!

Meet Your Prospective Mentor: Nilufar Tillayeva!

Meet your mentor who is happy and ready to help you become a teacher-researcher!

Hello fellow teachers! My name is Nilufar Tillayeva. I received my MA in TESOL from Webster University in Tashkent, Bachelor’s Degree in English philology from ASPIL. Currently, I am an adjunct professor and ESL instructor in the MA TESOL   program at Webster University in Tashkent.

My ambitions: I would like to contribute to the quality of EFL teaching in Uzbekistan, investigate the issues of the field, and be a valuable asset to the education system of Uzbekistan.

Message to your mentees about the training:

• Are you teaching nonstop?
• Are you concerning a lot?
• Are you preparing tons of worksheets?

BUT

• Have you achieved the desired outcomes?
• Have you ever analyzed your way of teaching comparing 21st-century skills?
• How can уou define a 21-century teacher?

My research interests that I would like to help my mentees with: critical thinking in EFL classes, curriculum design, material design, assessment.

Keep in mind, Teaching is not enough today. Teachers are not only teachers. They are researchers, material designers, assessors, etc. If you want to enjoy your work, try to solve the problems which are happening in your class, do not make an assumption, address the experienced teachers and experts. Apply your findings in the class and share your success and research findings with your community (at the local and international level). The starting point is always difficult. The NETRUZ PROJECT will definitely help you to find out yourself as an inquiring teacher and a researcher.

Don’t forget you are the right person to change your class, your community and the world.

Meet Your Prospective Mentor: Dilafruz Sarimsakova!

Meet your mentor who is happy and ready to help you become a teacher-researcher!

Hello fellow teachers! My name is Dilafruz Sarimsakova. I received my bachelor’s degree in English language and Literature from Andijan State University, master’s degree in English language and Literature from Namangan State University. I am currently a Trainee Researcher of Namangan State University in English Methodology and a PhD Student of Namangan State University.

My ambitions: It is proved that there is not one single best method for everyone in all contexts and that no one’s teaching method is inherently superior to the others. Also, it is not always possible or appropriate to apply the same methodology to all learners, who have different objectives, environments and learning needs. Having experienced some different approaches in my teaching, having absolute confusion in my mind, I decided that I would need to do classroom-based research that would consider my students' needs and the problems that occurred with me in the classroom. But how to do exploratory action research was a problem. The project “NETRUZ” broadened my theoretical knowledge on how to conduct EAR to improve my teaching practices. Now I have developed my research questions and going to start exploring action research based on my research plan. As a future mentor, I am ready for sharing with my prospective mentees what I have learnt within this project.

Message to my mentees about the training:  Teachers never stop learning. We learn and practice today; we teach and instruct how to do it in practice tomorrow. You will broaden your theoretical knowledge at the same time you take action on the problems you have faced in your classroom.

My research interests that I would like to help my mentees with:  teaching methodology, classroom-based action research, how to ingrate LMS more effectively.

Meet Your Prospective Mentor: Ella Maksakova!

 Meet your mentor who is happy and ready to help you become a teacher-researcher!

Hello fellow teachers! 

My name is Ella Maksakova and I am here to be your guide to the unknown and for now may be little comprehensible world of research. I remember my feelings about the research before joining the project, I literally felt an alien what came to understanding statistics in tables, could hardly distinguish one tool for data collection and analysis from another, was puzzled by seemingly endless literature reviews and generally found myself lost somewhere by the middle of a research article. However, I didn’t want to give up, I wanted to be rescued! I was desperate for someone to help me through! I needed a good adviser, a mentor and I was lucky to find such one within NETRUZ project that aims exactly at assisting language teachers interested in classroom-based research, but not knowing where to start.

If you are that kind of teacher, who feels strongly interested in and at the same time a bit intimidated by research per se, then NETRUZ is the right place for you to start the journey. Besides, you are not going to be alone, I will be happy to be your mentor along the path until we reach our final destination! Shall we set off???

Here is some information about me, so you we do not feel total strangers😊:

NETRUZ project, mentorship training (April-June 2021);

Active member of a global Mentoring community for teacher-researchers (TR2021);

Professional development course on TEAP (2020), Reading University, UK;

MA in TESOL, Webster University Tashkent (2020);

BA in English philology (2001), Tashkent State Pedagogical University,

Successfully cooperating with:

Moscow State University of International Relationship, (Tashkent campus) Senior EFL teacher;

Webster University (Tashkent campus) adjunct professor at MA TESOL program;

British Management University, EAP lecturer.

My research interests include: EAP/ESP, classroom-based research, teacher identity, Learning through play for very young and young language learners, ELT methodology, creativity in the classroom.

And… I am currently applying to obtain MA in Education and Innovation to make my lessons more effective through creative pedagogy based on research-informed decisions. Willing to participate in national educational reform projects as an ESL consultant. I am a part of a global mentors’ program initiated by Richard Smith to assist teacher-researchers to become better mentors for other teachers interested in classroom-based research.

Call for teacher researchers: We are looking for you!

Dear English language teachers of Uzbekistan,

NETRUZ: Network of English  Teacher Researchers in Uzbekistan is pleased to announce the opening of a new call for teacher-researcher who would like to be trained and mentored to do classroom-based research. 

This project is funded by Hornby Trust and British Council. The main aims of this project are to develop the network for English language teacher-researchers and teacher research mentors, train English language teacher research mentors and teacher-researchers, and allow teachers to share their best teaching practices.

If you would like to improve your research skills, explore and analyse teaching practices, and develop your collaborative and reflective learning through our workshops and meetings, you should JOIN our mentors’ training program which will start in October 2021! This training offers the opportunity to experienced (over 2 years of teaching experience) teachers and practitioners who would like to expand their knowledge and improve their teaching and research skills, and become professional teacher-researchers.

• Are you interested in doing research, particularly classroom research? 

• Are you interested in finding solutions and improving your classroom practices? 

• Are you working in the educational sector and can dedicate a minimum of two hours every week (or more if you like) to training and mentorship? 

Send your contact details (email, phone number, telegram number), your CV, and a brief cover letter (max. 150 words) outlining why you are interested in this project and how you can benefit other teachers in terms of research and classroom practices to the following email: netruzproject@gmail.com by September 10, 2021.

Best wishes,

NETRUZ Mentors

NETRUZ Research mentor training course has finished

 
As you know, the NETRUZ Project organised the first Teacher research mentor training course at the end of April 2021. The purpose of this course was to train English language teachers in research and encourage them to improve their teaching practices by integrating action research, exploratory action research in classrooms, increase their research literacy and implement context-appropriate methodologies.

Within this training, 7 English language who are working in educational institutions (schools and universities) of Uzbekistan were selected to become TEACHER RESEARCH MENTORS of our project.  They are Dilafruz Sarimsakova from Namangan State University; Ella Maksakova from Webster University in Uzbekistan, British Management University in Tashkent; Feruza Erkulova from Namangan State University; Klara R. Nazmutdinova from UzSWLU, Webster University in Tashkent; Malika Mirvokhidova (Kudratova) from TEAM University; and Nilufar Tillayeva from UzSWLU and Webster University, Dildora Khallyeva from the University of World Economy and Diplomacy.

For our training, we have also invited teachers and researchers from various countries to share their research findings, research tips, exploratory action research tips with our mentors. These wonderful guest speakers are Addy Ahmad from Malaysia, Suzie Ryu from South Korea, Vinayadhar Raju from India, Darío Luis Banegas from the University of Strathclyde, Scotland, and Sagun Shrestha, a PhD candidate at Dublin City University.

NETRUZ Research Sharing Workshop 4

NETRUZ Project welcomes our next guest speaker Mr Sagun Shrestha who is a PhD candidate in the School of Applied Language and Intercultural Studies (SALIS), Dublin City University. He is researching on affordances of and challenges to using ICT in secondary school education during crisis settings in Nepal. 

He has earned an MA in English Language Teaching from the University of Warwick, UK, and a Master's in English Education from Tribhuvan University, Nepal. Currently, he is serving as a joint coordinator of the Irish Association for Applied Linguistics Postgraduate Students Special Interest Group. He is interested in ICT in education, teacher education, language planning and policy, and discourse analysis.

Mr Sagun Shrestha will be presenting their research study and also sharing their experiences and achievements related to Exploratory Action Research with the Uzbekistani teacher-research mentors on May 29, 2021, at 5:30 pm (Tashkent time). 

If you also want to attend the workshop which will be delivered via ZOOM, please send your contact details to netruzproject@gmail.com.

NETRUZ Research Sharing Workshop 3

NETRUZ Project welcomes our next guest speaker Darío Luis Banegas who is a lecturer in TESOL in the School of Education, University of Strathclyde, Scotland. 

He is also an associate fellow with the University of Warwick. He carries out research on CLIL teacher education in different settings. His main research and pedagogical interests are: CLIL, action research, teacher education, inclusive language education, and curriculum development.

Darío Luis Banegas will share his experience on how to write a literature review for research articles with the Uzbekistani teacher-research mentors on May 22, 2021, at 7 pm (Tashkent time). The title of his workshop is "Who's afraid of the words "literature review"?".

If you also want to attend the workshop which will be delivered via ZOOM, please send your contact details to netruzproject@gmail.com.

NETRUZ Research Sharing Workshop 2

NETRUZ Project welcomes our next guest speaker Suzie Ryu who holds a BA in English language and English literature from Soongsil University, South Korea, and an MA in Drama Education and English Language Teaching at the University of Warwick, UK. 

She has worked as an English teacher for ten years and was a member of Intel ® Creative Teachers in 2014/2015. She was a recipient of the 2020 Award for International Participation at TESOL sponsored by the TOEFL Board of ETS and a presenter at the 2020 TESOL Convention in Denver, Colorado. Her interest in ELT is Drama, ICT, literature, and PBLL.

Suzie Ryu will share her research experience with the Uzbekistani teacher-research mentors on May 8, 2021, at 6 pm (Tashkent time). Her talk will be on "Google Classroom Experience in Reading Lessons for EFL Classes from South Korea during COVID-19 Crisis".

If you also want to attend the workshop which will be delivered via ZOOM, please send your contact details to netruzproject@gmail.com.

NETRUZ Research mentor training course: Special Guest Speaker

We invited a Guest Speaker Mr. Vinayadhar Raju to the NETRUZ Research Mentor training course to deliver a workshop on Exploratory Action Research on May 1, 2021.

Mr. Vinayadhar Raju is working as an English Language Teacher in Telangana state government secondary school, ZPHS Jangapally in Karimnagar district. He is also acting as a State Resource person and training module writer for in-service teacher training organised by Telangana state government and SCERT.

Mr. Vinayadhar has 24 years of experience in teaching English and Handling in-service teacher training by integrating technologies in teacher training sessions as well as in classroom teaching. He also provided an exceptional contribution to the teaching of English by maintaining a subject Forum, ELTA-English Language Teachers Association- Telangana for the Continuous professional development of English Language Teachers in the state.

Mr. Vinayadhar received M.A in English literature from Kakatiya University,Warangal and completed his Bachelor of Education from the same University. He completed E-moderator course sponsored by British council and TESOL methods from Oregon university sponsored by RELO India. Participated in E-Teacher Alumni programme and organised workshops for teachers working in government school on “Alternative assessment strategies.” He participated in Britisch council's project “Teachers and students as co-researchers in Indian government schools” sponsored by Warwick University, U.K. He also led the Arms and Connecting Classrooms Projects funded by British Council and Usief. Currently, he is mentoring 12 Mentors and 50 Teacher Researchers as a part of the Hornby Project.

Mr. Vinayadhar worked on collaborative project with the teacher in Honor-roll school,Texas, USA. During this project, he connected his classroom with US class-room using asynchronous technology. Students from US and ZPHS Jangapally worked collaboratively on projects like “ Backpacks” and “Film reviews” using padlet as a collaborative wall.

Mr. Vinayadhar is a Fulbright scholar in 2017 visited and worked in US School during his visit.