Conference+Photos

//**Issues of Cognitive Linguistics and Intercultural Communication**//

// On the 5th of April, 2012 I was issued a certificate from Pskov State University in recognition for my participation and contribution to the Pskov international students' conference " Issues of Cognitive Linguistics and Intercultural Communication," that took place in Pskov State University. Signed by Vice rector on research (A.V. Istomin) and the Dean of the Faculty of Foreign Languages (G.G. Maslova). Below you will see pictures and videos of the some of the reports given on the first day of the conference. //

//**Opening Ceremony**//

//**The conference started (With my finger in the way just a tad) with the Dean from NC State University opening remarks, followed by the Dean from Pskov State University (Jane Fleener and Galina G. Maslova respectively.) A very formal opening, as is traditional Russian style. Nadhezda to the left (name meaning "hope") was the translator for the opening ceremony). Surrounding the room were portraits of Russian scholars of Pskov. The Crowd behind consisted of people from Russia, Estonia, America, and other nationalities. With front row seats, we began the conference and then departed for lunch to prepare for the giving of reports upon our re-arrival. Each report was to last approximately 10 minutes and ranged from data driven research, to current studies of pedagogical approaches, and linguistic issues in the global community. My report was based from ENG 328 (Linguistics) lectures at NC State University under Professor Jeffery Reaser. The report was on African American Englnish (AAE) and the implication it has for students in the American school systems given assessment and testing being based on the use of Standard English (SE). It focused only on two features: the habitual form of "be" and bi- and monomorphemic cluster reduction. You can find the materials used in attachments below. The power point slides used are property of Professor Jeffery Reaser (and NOT my creation). They were only used as a resource handout for visual aid. **//

 **//What caught my attention more than anything was a repeating theme of current education students expressing their frustrations over being taught modeling and active learning and not witnessing it in their own educational experiences and not witnessing it in many of their research subjects. Even though this could seem like a negative I think it is actually a positive because the first step is awareness. The next step is action. After discovering that this type of issue is present in many parts of the world and in many school systems I think it serves as motivation to come together and make the next batch of teacher educators even better than the one's before them. Growth can and should occur at all levels of education, including teacher education. I believe that I did and will continue to witness educational revolution throughout my time as an educator and I am even more driven in my education goals. I hope that one day I will myself be able to be part of a teacher education program and if given the opportunity I will gladly attend as many conferences like this one as I can.//**

 

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//** After the conference was over they planned the closing ceremony for the following afternoon and it was an informal meeting (also in Russian style). Members of the conference were awarded certificates for their participation and were given the chance to make closing remarks and impressions from the conference. In general we were all thankful to have been given the experience to come together and discuss issues important to us regarding language and pedagogy. I think the reports that my colleague and I gave were both interesting and educational for the members of the conference given the fact that there is an extremely low population of African Americans present in most of the areas where members of the conference were from. Our presentations created a lot of questions from those present during the report. Some of these even came across at my time at the university after the conference had taken place. I was asked to speak on my topic again at a university Q&A with 5th year university students and I think this speaks to the presentation's content and delivery. **//

//**After listening to the reports and hearing the closing remarks I felt extremely positive about the progress educators are making in our field. We are coming together in foreign arenas and discovering we are dealing with many of the same issues regardless of location, culture, and administrations. The most beautiful part of conferences like this is that sharing and communication is taking place. The message we each shared with each other are messages that will hopefully go back to places where they might never have reached had it not been for the conference. This particular conference will be the first of many and I am honored to have been invited, proud to have played a positive role in the future, and hopefully guilty of planting a seed. Every educator is a gardener and the more seeds that get planted the merrier! **//

