Syrian-Armenian women also study English

“In a result of the studies done among our countrymen displaced from Syria we have revealed that knowledge of spoken English is one of the main problems for those who search job. We tried to help them with regard to this too –along with acquiring professional skills to ensure knowledge of language which will help to find a job”, -– motivation for two-month courses of English language organized at «OKAY» learning center is represented by Marine Tunyan  who is the head of the program “Refugees’ integration through education”.  This program is implemented due to the efforts of UNHCR office in Armenia and its partner “KAZA” Swiss humanitarian Fund and aims at supporting Sirian-Armenian women to find job through professional and language courses.

According to Marine Tunyan the training is implemented by two stages, participants are divided into two groups composed of 15 members, who are mainly women.

As Tsovinar Yapunjyan/Deputy director of «OKAY» English language learning center/ said   those who do not know English at all are involved in the first stage, and the ones who know the language at some level are involved in the second one. The purpose of the courses is development of spoken oral speech.

– Participants learn English for finding job. During the lesson they learn new words and expressions which are used more often, in case of necessity they make notes.  They tell about themselves, their family members, but we try not to speak about the days spent in Syria. It is not desirable to remember the days filled with cruel memories; I think that the trainings should pass in an atmosphere of high spirits, without excessive emotionality. During the breaks we talk their sweet Armenian, – says Tsovinar Yapunjyan, mentioning that after the courses the participants receive certificates proving their knowledge of English.

Tamar Qeshishyan attends «OKAY» learning center with the expectation to find a good job.

I do not have any other specialty, and we did not need English but here we need it. Wherever you go knowledge of English is required.  Knowledge of language is a great advantage with regard to finding job. I am pleased with courses, the group is wonderful, we have a wonderful lecturer, and the place is inspiring, we just speak and communicate to each other, find new fellows, inform each other about events.  We are very grateful to supporting structures making us forget difficult days, which we try to forget”, -– says Tamar. All participants of the group are of the same opinion.

Coordinator of external relations and public information of UNHCR office Anahit Hayrapetyan says English courses are an unprecedented program for them, as there was a purpose to overcome language barriers, mainly spoken Armenian, while English and Russian languages are of great demand in the labor market, therefore there was a necessity to organize trainings of those languages.

– We are glad that this pilot program got such a response among Syrian-Armenian. Sometimes we attend those trainings and see that this program helps them to quickly integrate into society. This group is a symbol of advanced Syrian – Armenian women, as they used to live a closed life.   Here they have changed their model of life and become more active. This is our main purpose, – says Anahit Hayrapetyan, mentioning that although the courses are in Yerevan, they atre also attended by Syrian-Armenian living in nearby cities and regions.

Anush Nersisyan