The Armenian Communities Department of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation brought together 38 educators and creative individuals from eight countries to collectively develop learning tools for Western Armenian language acquisition and revitalization. This was the second workshop in this series and it took place from 9 to 16 July 2017 in La Bourboule, France.

Seven groups composed of educators, academics, writers, musicians, artists, actors and IT specialists were established last year. This year, each group provided an update on its activities and continued to develop the seven initiatives.

The seven initiatives are:

1. The organization of a summer academic program of continuous education for teachers, combined with a summer camp for children in the Diaspora.  The outcome was the “Zarmanazan” camp that took place from 17 July to 11 August 2017 in La Bourboule, France.
2. The development of tools and curricula for formal and informal settings which focus on contemporary reading and writing methodologies adapted to Western Armenian.  The group is currently focused on creating flexible lesson plans and other pedagogic materials. Additionally, a subcommittee of special education specialist undertook a phonological awareness project for Western Armenian to support speech therapists and language teachers.
3. The organization of a forum for principals and education leaders, where topics such as school culture, curriculum reform and other related topics will be discussed and best practices shared.  The location, time and structure of the first regional workshop/conference of school principals was finalized: January 2018 in Los Angeles.
4. The creation and adaptation of games for both children and young adults, connected to social media platforms, which aim to enhance language acquisition and practice.  Scores of traditional and new games were recorded. The short films and theatrical sequences will be released within months.
5. The production of music that ties song and language. The first output, a CD entitled “Darosig”, along with an accompany game has been recorded and will be released shortly.  Work is under way on a second CD.
6. The publication of a series of translations of children’s books into Western Armenian from many languages. The books are directed at several age groups. The goal is to release 60 titles in three years.  The books have been selected and work is in progress on the formal structure to handle the translation and publication process.
7. The set-up of a web-portal through which the above-mentioned information and tools are to be shared with the public, connecting stakeholders around the diaspora with one another.  The website is currently being developed and is projected to be online in early 2018.

It is important to note that in a project with such a wide-ranging scope involving participants from all over the world, who are all already fully engaged in their respective fields and responsibilities, the recognition of a common goal is the driving force that keeps such a large and diverse group moving forward together.

The seven initiatives will continue to be developed and implemented by the participants and other invited experts during the upcoming year.

Razmik Panossian, the Director of the Armenian Communities Department, attended the closing session of the summer workshop. He thanked and congratulated the participants for all their work in the revitalization of Western Armenian and modernization of pedagogic methods. “We are already seeing some impact,” he said and concluded, “we are all part of a movement to make sure that Armenian, as a vibrant language, prospers in the future.”

The Summer Education Workshop was organized and coordinated by Ani Garmiryan, the Department’s Senior Officer responsible for Western Armenian revitalization projects.

The workshop participants were:  

Armenia: Christian Batikian, Nairi Khatchadourian, Sevana Tchakerian.

Belgium: Janet Chahbazian, Shogher Margossian. 

Canada: Sonia Keledjian, Raffi Ajemian

France: Anaïd Donabédian, Anouche Mekhsian, Anahid Sarkissian, Chouchane Pilipossian, Hasmig Chahinian, Jirair Jolakian, Maral Kerovpyan, Méliné Gazarian, Shushan Kerovpyan.

Lebanon: Araz Kalachian, Shant Demirjian, Shaghig Gogonian, Nelly Komolian, Taline Ordoghlian.

Portugal: Ani Garmiryan.

Turkey: Arusyak Koç Monnet, Kayane Gavrilof, Maral Hergel Özdağ, Maral Satar Ebeoğlu, Natali Bağdat Turac, Narod Veronik Kuruğoğlu.

USA: Amy Hughes, Chris Bedian, Hagop Gulludjian, Melissa Mazman, Sanan Shirinian, Serouj Ourishian, Silva Mesrobian, Shushan Karapetian, Varak Baronian, Vahe Berberian.

Consult below the French and Armenian versions of the article.