Feedback from Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic University teachers about the course from Cardiff University

Zaporizka Polytechnic National University continues cooperation with Cardiff University (Wales). The English Medium Instruction for Academics (EMI for Academics) course started on February 8, 2023.

The course takes place within the framework of the «Unification» Initiative, which is proposed by the British consulting company Cormack Consultancy Group (Cormack Consultancy Group) for personalized assistance to Ukrainian higher education institutions from partner/partner universities for the purpose of support, recovery and development during the war and the formation of strategic partnerships and alliances for joint work and further mutual internationalization.

Teachers of the Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic are constantly developing, improving their knowledge, so the course aroused high interest, and today we already have the first positive feedback from the participants.

Hanna Shishkanova, associate professor of the «Applied Mathematics» department:

“My first impressions are very positive. At first I was worried whether I would be able to understand the teacher and whether I needed this EMI for academics course. But now I can confidently say that my worries were in vain.

The first meeting with our teacher Daniel Cornelius was very easy and interesting, as if we had known this person for a long time. Contact with the audience was immediately established – we were included in the conversation, the whole group got to know each other, and the exchange of experiences and opinions on the tasks and prospects of teaching in English began. Daniel’s professionalism, a successful combination of both traditional and ultra-modern teaching methods, relevance, usefulness, modernity of the material and a pleasant and warm atmosphere captivated me.

I am sure that an interesting journey to the modern and effective EMI for academics toolkit awaits me. During a short period of study, I realized that this course will make me more confident and will help me to professionally teach mathematics courses in English at a high level«

Anna Bakurova, professor of the department »System Analysis and Computational Mathematics«:

»My first impressions are related to high expectations of this course. First of all, it is professional development in the field of teaching methods in higher education, exchange of experience between colleagues of different specialties and study of international experience of teaching in English. Forms of work in the form of lectures and discussions with colleagues in English allow you to improve listening and speaking skills in English. This practice of teaching in English is very relevant, as our department plans to introduce the teaching of a number of academic disciplines in the «Systems Analysis» specialty in English.«

Aleksii Kuzkin, Dean of the Faculty of Transport:

»So, the first two weeks of classes under the EMI for Academics program, organized by Cardiff University for teachers and employees of Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University, have passed. So, it will be appropriate to share the first impressions.

I would like to note right away that the course is aimed at university teachers who teach courses in English to Ukrainian and foreign students or plan their development and implementation in the educational process. Accordingly, the course does not address, in particular, issues of grammar, and it is assumed that the course participants have a sufficient level of English language proficiency to understand the educational material. However, the course, in addition to obtaining relevant knowledge of the theory and practice of teaching, provides an opportunity to improve language skills in reading, listening comprehension, conversational aspects, and to expand the vocabulary.

What would you like to note as the main positive aspects of the course? First, it is taught by Daniel Cornelius, who is directly a university teacher and provides advice and recommendations, including from his own experience of many years of teaching. Secondly, each training session is preceded by preparation with working out of the training material, the content of which is the basis for discussion and debate during the session. Thirdly, during online classes, various forms of material presentation are used (discussion of discussion questions, chat polls, group work of participants in separate virtual rooms with the connection of the teacher), which allows each of the participants to be directly involved in the process of mastering the educational material, and not just a silent extra.

Undoubtedly, the relaxed atmosphere and positive mood of the teacher and the participants of the classes contribute to better assimilation of the material. So, we are waiting for the continuation of interesting classes!”

Hanna Shyshkanova, Associate Professor, Department of Applied Mathematics:

My first impressions are very positive. At first, I was worried whether I would be able to understand the teacher and whether I needed this EMI for Academics course. But now I can confidently say that my worries were in vain. The first meeting with our teacher Daniel Cornelius was very easy and interesting, as if we had known this person for a long time. Contact with the audience was immediately established – we were included in the conversation, the entire group began to exchange experiences and opinions on the tasks and prospects of teaching in English. Daniel’s professionalism, a successful combination of both traditional and ultra-modern teaching methods, relevance, usefulness, modernity of the material and also a pleasant and warm atmosphere captivated me. I am sure that an interesting journey to the modern and effective tools of EMI for Academics awaits me.  During a short period of study, I realized that this particular course would make me more confident and help me give lectures on math disciplines in English at a high level professionality.

Anna Bakurova, Professor, Department of System Analysis and Computational Mathematics:

My first impressions are connected with high expectations for this course. First of all, this is advanced training in the field of teaching methods in higher education, the exchange of experience between colleagues from different specialties and the study of international experience in teaching in English. Forms of work in the form of lectures and discussions with colleagues in English allow you to improve your listening and speaking skills in English. This practice of teaching in English is very relevant, since our department plans to introduce the teaching of several academic disciplines in the specialty “system analysis” in English.

Oleksii Kuzkin, Dean, Faculty of Transport:

The first two weeks of studying in the program “EMI for Academics” have gone by. This program was arranged by Cardiff University (Wales, UK) for the academic staff of Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University. So, it’s time to share some first thoughts and impressions regarding this program. At first, I should notice that mentioned program aims to the university lecturers who give study courses to Ukrainian and international students in English or plan to do that in the future. Therefore, improving the skills in grammar isn’t provided, and it’s supposed that each participant has experience in English at a level enough to perceive and understand the learning materials of the course. Furthermore, besides delivering topical knowledge of teaching theory and practice, this program encourages improving reading, listening, and speaking. It allows an attendee to enhance the vocabulary as well.

What should be pointed out as the main positive features of this program? Firstly, the program’s lecturer is Daniel Cornelius, who has his own rich and practical experience in teaching at the university for years. Secondly, a teacher gives the participants homework in advance, so every next class, there is a learning-related topic to discuss with the audience. Finally, a variety of learning activities are involved during the lectures: an interesting topic discussion, questionnaires on the chat, collaborative work in the breakout rooms, and so on. These activities give participants the possibility to be directly involved in the educational space and not be just quiet observers.

Both a positive mood and a friendly atmosphere between the teacher and students surround makes the learning process more effective.

So, I’m looking forward to the next class soon to enrich my educational and language skills.