St. Petersburg, 2014 Building a New TEFL Program from Zero in a Technical University CASE STUDY Kristina Ivanova Deputy Director Foreign Language Training Center Institute of International Development and Partnership

General Facts The main campus is located in the heart of St. Petersburg, on Kronverksky ave., 49 Total of 8 buildings where classes are held, all located in downtown St. Petersburg Founded in 1900, ITMO has grown to an organization with over 13,000 students and earned its name “National Research University” in 2009 The mission of the ITMO University is to enable its graduates to meet the challenges of the 21st century Building Comfortable English-Language Environment in the University

Figures at a glance students (including Master’s and 700 PhD) 1007 international students from 26 countries 1187 professors and teaching staff 14 English-language programs in Number of international professors, researchers and teachers in 2014 – 120 Building Comfortable English-Language Environment in the University

Key “5 to 100” indicators relevant to English- language initiative ITMO is part of the “5 to 100” Program since 2013 New program for Bachelor students launched in 2014 (x4 English language hours if compared to 2013) New program for professors and teaching staff introduced in 2014 (ESP, Academic writing) New program for administrative staff launched in 2014 (Business English, Conversational English, Classes with native speakers) Building Comfortable English-Language Environment in the University

STUDENT FOCUS: WHAT IS DONE AND WHAT’S AHEAD Running Master’s programs New Bachelor’s English Language program Building Comfortable English-Language Environment in the University

Academic focus of current English-language programs 14 Master’s programs in English Focus on Physics, Nano-materials, Engineering, IT, Computing, Optics Required level of English-language proficiency for students to enroll – B1 Lectures are delivered in English Students are both Russian and international Building Comfortable English-Language Environment in the University

English language teaching: length of programs for Bachelors Previously 1 academic hour / week for Bachelor students of 1 st and 2 nd year No English language classes for Bachelors of the 3 rd and 4 th year 2 academic hours / week for Master’s students Building Comfortable English-Language Environment in the University Starting with Fall hours per week, 4 years of all Bachelor programs

English language teaching: specifics of new programs for Bachelors Building Comfortable English-Language Environment in the University Starting with Fall 2014 Placement tests for all 1 st year Bachelors Groups of students vs 25+ previously Communicative approach to teaching 1 level per year + additional knowledge Levels A1 to C1 Blended learning approach Testing upon completion of each level/ module

English language teaching: Learning materials Building Comfortable English-Language Environment in the University Starting with Fall 2014 Cambridge University Press materials (including Touchstone) New lexis Boosting students’ communicative skills Listening, reading, writing On-line workbooks E-learning management system

English language teaching: general and course-specific training Previously No diversification of English Language courses depending on student majors Building Comfortable English-Language Environment in the University Starting with Fall st and 2 nd year of Bachelor studies – general English, communicative teaching methods 3 rd and 4 th year of Bachelor studies – introduction of special vocabulary, lexis 3 rd and 4 th year of B. studies: EMI for disciplines related to the majors (in cooperation with corresponding Chairs)

English language teaching: cooperation of English Language teachers with subject teachers Previously No cooperation Building Comfortable English-Language Environment in the University Starting with Fall 2014 English for Academics course – for building professional communication skills used for lecturing, participation in conferences, writing articles Assistance in compiling discipline programs in English

English language requirements for students, staff and teachers Currently Master’s Double Degree program applicants – B1 No additional pre-program training Building Comfortable English-Language Environment in the University By 2018 Bachelor program graduates – B1 International Office staff – C1 Double-degree program teachers and staff – C1 Other administrative staff – B1

English-language related services available to staff, students, administration, researchers Academic mobility programs for students English language courses for administrative and teaching staff, starting October 2014 International student festival “You are needed” Institute of International Development and Partnership to facilitate international relations of the University Excursions and extracurricular activities for foreign students Center of International Staff Services: visa support, information support, assistance with housing and adaptation, Russian language classes Building Comfortable English-Language Environment in the University

English language teaching: length of programs for University staff Previously No free ITMO-based programs for teaching and administrative staff Starting with Fall ,5 years for staff included into international activities, or until they reach C1 level 1,5 years for other staff, or until they reach B1 level E. for Academics & Academic Writing - 6 months each International Students and Scholars Rock

FOCUS ON STAFF: WHAT IS DONE AND WHAT’S AHEAD? All interested administrative and teaching staff tested to assess English language proficiency levels New general English courses for administrative staff New English for Academics courses for teaching staff New Academic Writing courses for researchers, promising Master’s students, PhDs Academic Writing schools abroad for the best students of AW courses Benefits for staff who excel – Cambridge FCE and CAE exams free of charge Building Comfortable English-Language Environment in the University

English language teaching: Learning materials for administrative staff and academics Building Comfortable English-Language Environment in the University Starting with Fall 2014 CUP Face to Face for beginners (listening, understanding, speaking) CUP English 365 for elementary to pre-intermediate (enhancing speaking skills) English for Academics (CUP + British Council) for researchers, PhDs, administrative personnel Academic writing – CUP study books to improve researchers’ skills in pre-writing, writing, reviewing and revising

Evaluation of the current status of English Language teaching, challenges and possibilities Currently Technical university with very low English language proficiency level Formerly a restricted-access university concentrated on serving military industry purposes with very limited international cooperation New program of English language teaching for Bachelors launched in Oct 2014 With students - resistance to change is minimal, high interest in new program Challenging situation with multiple campuses (4 blgds) and organization of the study process / teachers Challenging situation with study rooms – to be resolved next year Building Comfortable English-Language Environment in the University

Future of TEFL at ITMO: plans for Success is to be continued and multiplied Upon completion of academic year pilot program for Bachelors, ALL 1st year Bachelor students admitted in September 2015 are to be included into the program Reconfiguration of the internal system of English Language Chairs at ITMO New EL groups for academic and administrative staff in additional locations Guest lecturers (both Russian and international) – Academic Writing and EAP Master-classes for AW and EAP course attendees Short-term programs abroad for the best students attending AW and EAP courses Building Comfortable English-Language Environment in the University

Thank you! Kristina Ivanova Deputy Director Foreign Language Training Center Institute of International Development and Partnership Saint-Petersburg, 2014