Teacher training sessions were held

​Systematic and phased professional development of higher education institution faculty is an integral requirement of the multifaceted educational and training work of universities, where the main priorities are focused on improving the training of personnel for the country. As repeatedly emphasized in their speeches by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who pay particular attention to the innovative development of the scientific and educational sphere, the professional competence of young specialists directly depends on the pedagogical mastery of their teacher-mentors. In line with current realities, they continuously update the requirements for the training of modern personnel, who must constantly expand their knowledge and skills, focusing on the urgent needs of various sectors of the national economy.

These tasks, in fact, dictate the large-scale international training internships organized for Turkmen faculty members in different countries worldwide, under the memorandums or cooperation agreements signed between relevant scientific and educational structures. One of the recent examples of this is the overseas training programs for faculty members of the Magtymguly Turkmen State University.

Study Trip to Italy

A group of faculty members from the Department of Romance and Germanic Languages at Magtymguly Turkmen State University, including Kumush Myradova, Durjemal Nuryagdyeva, and Aysoltan Agamyradova, participated in professional development courses aimed at studying the Italian language. The nearly three-week training for Turkmen specialists took place under the thematic slogan "Technologies in Language Teaching: Tools for Collaboration, Interaction, and Autonomy" at the University for Foreigners in Perugia, Italian Republic.

After the opening ceremony of the professional development courses, an introductory session was held for the participants of the international educational program, during which each participant presented their country and the work being done in their university related to teaching the Italian language.

The subsequent educational program included local thematic sessions, particularly on topics such as "Collaboration, Multilingualism, and Technology." Within these sessions, various group activities and dialogues were used to discuss the importance of developing multilingualism competencies and the features of interaction during the study of the entire audience of students. In one of the sessions, organized on the theme "Online Italian Language Courses in the Virtual World: L2/LS AIDI Project," the specifics of targeted educational programs used to create instructional videos, including those utilizing artificial intelligence, were revealed. Educational digital innovations were also applied in another session on the topic of "Gamification and Technology," where the effectiveness of the session was ensured by advanced teaching methods through games. The overall cycle of targeted educational sessions concluded with topics such as "Linguistic Assessment and Technology" and "Assessment Using Digital Tools," where the features and importance of the CELI and CILS educational courses initiated by the University of Perugia were discussed, along with the types of student knowledge assessments using digital systems.

In general, the primary task of the entire professional development course for international participants was to enhance students' academic skills through artificial intelligence combined with innovative, creative methods of teaching the Italian language. In accordance with these priorities, professors from the University of Perugia conducted a series of practical courses for university faculty from Turkmenistan, Italy, Uzbekistan, Argentina, the USA, Somalia, Spain, Luxembourg, and Hungary, within which there was a broad exchange of pedagogical experience and ideas for further cooperation in various directions.

The Turkmen participants of the internship noted that the cultural component of the educational program, which included excursions and acquaintance with cultural monuments, was also very interesting, simultaneously aimed at improving Italian language skills and gaining a deeper understanding of the traditions of the Italian people. The knowledge acquired from this course will be used by the participants in their future university lectures on such thematic vectors as "Theory and Methods of Teaching the Italian Language," "History of the Italian Language," "History," and "Italian Literature."

Workshops from Specialists

Mehri Djemal Nazarova, a faculty member of the Department of Romance and Germanic Languages at Magtymguly Turkmen State University, participated in professional development courses on the study of the German language under the theme "Language, Country Studies, and Cultural Life." This special course took place over two weeks at the Goethe Institute, under whose auspices a solemn opening ceremony of this educational initiative was held in Berlin. It was immediately followed by an introductory session for the participants of the international educational program, during which each participant gave a thematic presentation dedicated to their country and their work in teaching the German language.

Subsequent training sessions covered the specifics of country studies, discussed various methods of teaching the German language through media resources, including the Berlin Cinematheque. In particular, in a session on the topic "Country Studies Material Fund," the issue related to the proper selection of educational literature and its effective use was thoroughly examined. In this context, modern textbooks for teaching at different language levels were reviewed.

One of the sessions was held under the conditions of a local museum, directly influencing the theme of the educational lesson itself—"Museum Evaluation: Methodological Reflection – The Importance of the Museum in Country Studies." In another session, organized on the topic "Understanding the Country and Culture through Music," mutually interested discussions were held on the importance and role of listening to music in learning the German language. For this purpose, a visit to the Berlin Museum of Musical Instruments was organized for the internship participants. In a similar vein, a session on "Teaching Country Studies and Culture through Graphics and Visualization" was conducted under the guidance of a local artist.

The educational program also included a visit to the studio of the German TV channel "ZDF," where Turkmen participants were involved as spectators in the "Good Morning" program.

The main goal of the professional development courses organized at the Goethe Institute on the theme "Language, Country Studies, and Cultural Life" was focused on getting to know the culture and life of Germany through innovative and creative game-based methods of teaching the German language. For this purpose, the host representatives conducted an impressive series of practical sessions, organized various creative games, allowing for a deeper study of the country's history, culture, and life. Along with Turkmen faculty members, their colleagues from France, Argentina, the USA, Romania, Egypt, Spain, Mexico, China, and Hungary participated in the educational training sessions, exchanging advanced pedagogical experience and ideas on various directions of prospective cooperation during the days of joint study.

The educational program was complemented by enlightening excursions, during which the participants visited particularly notable cultural centers of the host country, and were introduced to several of its historical monuments. Overall, the training in Germany, as well as visits to local cultural monuments, served as an excellent motivation for further improvement of language skills and a deeper understanding of the traditions of the German people. The knowledge gained from this course will later be applied by Turkmen faculty members in university courses such as "Country Studies," "Stylistics of the German Language," and "Theory and Methods of Teaching the German Language."

Commenting on the importance of conducting a series of educational training sessions abroad, Turkmen faculty members expressed their deep gratitude to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, for the opportunity to participate in prestigious international educational programs, which are held on the initiative of leading universities around the world, aimed at productive exchange of experience and best pedagogical practices, and the phased improvement of the professional training of future highly qualified specialists of the new generation.

Victoria Novikova,  

"Neutral Turkmenistan".