KHACHATUR ABOVYAN ARMENIAN STATE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY

Armenian State Pedagogical University and the British Council in Armenia have started cooperation within the framework of IELTS preparation courses. A Memorandum on Cooperation between the University and the British Council in Armenia was signed by ASPU Vice-Rector Ara Yeremyan and Director of British Council Armenia Arevik Saribekyan. Under the document, the Pedagogical University shall implement IELTS exam preparation courses as well as teacher training programmes.

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is the world's most popular English language test. More than two million IELTS tests are taken each year. More than 9,000 organisations in 140 countries accept IELTS, including government, academic and employment institutions. By a decision of the Armenian Government, IELTS exams are required for admission to postgraduate courses to check applicants’ English language proficiency.

Karine Harutyunyan, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Armenia, highlighted the document, saying, “Gradual changes are taking place in the education system which are aimed at the internationalisation of universities. Also, students are given an opportunity to study in the best universities of the world.” Karine Harutyunyan stressed that the opening of the new centre will enable the Pedagogical University to develop its entrepreneurial activities, as any person can study at the centre besides students.

APSU Vice-Rector Ara Yeremyan added, in turn, that the introduction of the programme required great efforts and time. “It will encourage not only ASPU students but also other students to prepare for this programme much better. Good command of foreign languages is very important for our students. It will enable the university to be more visible in the international arena and to implement an extensive range of exchange programmes,’ the vice-rector said adding that classes will be conducted with the use of cutting-edge technology and modern methods.

“The British Council Armenia and Armenian State Pedagogical University have a long history of cooperation, and I am glad to say that the cooperation entered a new phase with this initiative. IELTS is an internationally recognized test that gives students an opportunity to continue their studies in the leading universities [of the work] or work abroad. I am glad to see that people in Armenia pass IELTS tests successfully and that IELTS is becoming more popular in the country. Only the British Council conducts IELTS in Armenia. Last year 1000 people took IELTS tests in Armenia,” said the British Council Armenia Director.

Arevik Saribekyan added that given the great interest in and demand for the exams, the British Council decided to start IELTS preparatory courses.

The courses will be held at the ASPU building by specialists who have taken teacher training courses at the British Council. The IELTS preparation course will last six weeks (34 hours total). The course will help applicants to prepare for the exam quickly and properly.

At the end of the event, Pedagogical University's choir “Ave Maria” led by conductor by Artashes Baburyan performed International students' anthem “Gaudeamus igitur.”