Cooperation between Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University and Cardiff University: feedback from teachers

Cooperation between Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University and Cardiff University continues, aimed at improving the skills of our university staff to teach professional disciplines in English.

The first group of teaching staff has successfully completed the course «English as a Medium of Instruction for Academics» (EMI for Academics).

The program has received positive feedback from participants, and work in this direction continues. The second group of teachers will begin training on April 11, 2023, the third – in mid-May.

We congratulate the participants with valuable experience that will help them easily and interestingly teach professional disciplines in English at Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University!

Feedback and recommendations to the following groups of participants:

What did you like most about the course?

Alina Kazurova, Department of Electric Drive and Commercial Plant Automation

I liked the fact that the theory was supported by practical tasks or practical examples. We were not only listeners, but also had the opportunity to discuss issues in separate rooms.
 

Elina Tereshchenko, Department of System Analysis and Computational Mathematics

The topics chosen for discussion were interesting to me. An opportunity to get acquainted with the experience of Cardiff University in solving pedagogical challenges.
 

Ganna Shyshkanova, Applied Mathematics Department

The course was cognitively challenging, this attracted me the most … This course has developed into a social learning community and provided opportunities for its effective further work.
 

Mike Gnatenko, Department of Foundry Technology and Equipment

The most interesting activity for me was communication with colleagues under the supervision of Daniel.
 

Nataliia Furmanova, Department of Information Technologies of Electronic Devices

A wonderful teacher with a friendly attitude towards the participants inspired us to be active and share our thoughts.
 

Oleksii Kuzkin, Transportations and Logistic Department

Educational approach that was useful for designing and delivering online courses for EMI students.

Which topic(s) in the course did you find most useful?

Anna Bakurova, Department of System Analysis and Computational Mathematics

All the topics of the course were interesting and complemented each other. Particularly interesting were topics about the specifics of EMI Language for Lectures and for Seminars, about assessing students’ knowledge, about the interaction of learning and emotions.
 

Arnold Kupin, Department of Constitutional, Administrative, and Labour Law

I enjoyed the session on lecturer styles and questions. In particular, about ways to avoid short answers.
 

Iryna Lazneva, Department of International Economic Affairs

EMI Language Use and Managing the Online EMI lecture are most useful for me. The first topic I mentioned changed my ideas about preparing a lecture’s material for foreign students. The second topic is very relevant in recent years for Ukraine, because due to the situation in the country, we only have online study.
 

Mykhailo Poliakov, Department of Electrical and Electronic Apparatus

Many topics were useful, such as methods for making content more accessible, increasing student participation, and using illustrations.
 

Olga Nemykina, Department of Electric and Electronic Apparatus

Suggestions for improving teaching with large intercultural groups.

What would you recommend to the following cohorts of the participants of the EMI for Academics course?

Anastasiia Zerkal, Marketing and Logistics Department

Find time and opportunity for your development. This course allows you to improve the level of teaching skills and opens up new horizons for teaching students in English.
 

Olena Halan, Department of Economics and Customs Affairs

Be sure to participate in all discussions, don’t be afraid to speak your mind. This is a very useful course that you will definitely need in your future work with students.
 

Olha Sergiienko, Department of Foundry Technology and Equipment

Taking notes and asking questions, not being afraid to speak up.
 

Yevgenii Gofman, Software Tools Department

Get involved and increase your efficiency.