Saodat Erkaboyeva
An English language teacher at a secondary school in Asaka and a teacher trainer at the Andijan Re-Training and In-Service Teacher Training Institute of public education of Andijan region.
The first time I learnt about the British Council was in 2006 when I joined the Andijan Branch of the Uzbekistan Teachers’ of English Association. Taking part in events organised by the association, I became closely involved in several British Council’s projects and programmes. I completed the ETTE teacher training course on interactive methodology of teaching English in 2010. After finishing that course I shared my insights with other teachers in Andijan province. We organised Friday seminars in different districts of the province and held workshops derived from the ETTE course. Another project coordinated by the British Council, Peer Support Groups, had a great influence on my professional development. Today there are more than 30 active PSGs in Andijan province alone. We created our groups with the help of social networks like Facebook and Telegram. The PSGs are becoming an important part of our lives.
In 2011, I presented a paper at the 16th International Conference of NELTA which was held in Nepal. I was shocked when I got a letter from the British Council informing me that I had been chosen as a presenter for that conference. Who could believe that a teacher with a rural background can give a presentation at an international conference? Indeed, the British Council does empower people worldwide!
Later in 2012 I participated in the London Olympics 2012 Best Lesson Plan Competition launched by the British Council and was awarded the 2nd place.
In 2015, I participated successfully in the Best Teacher Competition and was among the finalists who visited the UK and attended a teacher training course in the University of St Mark and John in Plymouth.
My experience of attending courses, participating in competitions and presenting at conferences has greatly motivated me. These events gave me opportunities to meet new people, to learn a lot and enrich my world outlook. They made me try new things and apply new techniques in my teaching. These projects and programmes are a good platform to learn and share your experience with others. I have learnt how to teach my students beyond the limitations of a classroom and make their lives more colourful. When we celebrate my learners’ achievements I am so happy that I have also had a share in their success by investing the knowledge and experience I gained from these projects and programmes.
Now celebrating the 20th anniversary of the British Council’s work in Uzbekistan I would like to express my profound gratitude to the British Council’s team! Thank you for your understanding and caring about us, people from faraway places!