English for Journalists
English helps us learn the world's processes
The world now is a global world. We need to receive new information every day including news and articles in English, because every journalist wants to read this information in the original.
My first English lessons were many years ago, still in kindergarten. I liked games and fairy tales and since then I thought that languages would be my profession. I studied English at school and Conservatory, but there was not much experience.
Now I see how important it is to know languages, and of course the English, in order to understand the processes taking place in the world. The British Council and Department of State USA have given us a great opportunity to improve our English, to remember old knowledge and get new. This project shows me how little I know and how much more I still need to know. I often participate in international forums and trainings. In 2015 I graduate IMedia School in Kazakh Press Club with the assistance of the Missouri High School of Journalism , but always I need the help of an interpreter to understand my colleagues .
Our project “English for Journalism” give us a modern vocabulary adopted in the international media, important basics of media literacy, many interesting topics and most common type of articles. Many ideas and principles are familiar to me, but these things became more systematic.
We have very friendly atmosphere in class with my colleagues from other local newspapers. Our teachers - the professor Bibigul Kussainova and her assistant Zarina work with great interest and patience. I am grateful to them for those knowledge and skills, they shared with us. Excellent conditions for classes provided by the University named after Baishev.
I hope to continue my learning to be more fluent in English and communicate with people from other countries.
I started studying English at school when I was 11 years old. At first it was very easy for me, but after a while and with a constant change of teachers, interest and all knowledge were lost. There were many more attempts to learn the language. I went to the tutor, tried to study online, read books to start to speak English, but without success. I could not overcome the language barrier. I was afraid to speak English.
Now, in the 21st century, about one billion are spoken in English.A person who is fluent in a foreign language, feels good not only in his country, but also abroad. English is a wonderful language, but it has always been not easy for me. But the most important thing in my opinion is begin speak. But it`s not an easy task as it might seen.
Before the beginning of our courses, I have not practiced English for almost 3 years. I am very happy that we have such a chance to try again. The English course for journalists gave me a lot. For half a year I managed not only to remember something and replenish my stock of knowledge, but also to overcome the language barrier. I finally stopped being afraid to speak English. That`s why I do all my best to learn English grammar well and to have good speaking skills. Certainly I haven`t mustered everything in English but I am absolutely sure that in a few years my command of the language will be perfect.
The great German poet Goethe once said "He, who knows no foreign language, does not know his own one". Indeed knowledge of foreign language expands the knowledge of native one. And I fully agree that native language enriches the knowledge of foreign languages.
Once my older colleague told me that a real journalist is an amateur with wide specialization. He must understand all the topics, be both physics and philosopher and speak all the languages without any education. But if there is a chance to improve your skills, catch it by the tail.
English for journalists course provided by British Council and US Embassy attracted me with the opportunity to speak English with real people. It was a fussy Monday (all the Mondays in our office are fussy and crazy), when Adina from “Diapazon” sent me an instagram post with advertisement about the courses. That day was also a deadline, but how can media-worker be afraid of deadlines?..
My application was accepted anyway. Phone interview became real show for passengers of the bus - I was talking while going to work. We discussed books and movies and finished just at the moment bus reached the bus stop. I turned off my headphones and listened to what the other passengers were talking.
“The foreigner,” - whispered one old lady to another, and they began to tattle.
“Your stop,” - said the conductor in clumsy English. He was surprised when I answered in Russian. Olly I the office I realised how funny the situation was.
Then the lessons began. Sometimes we needed to be serious and sometimes we relaxed and had fun (ok, we had fun all the time). Classroom on the 3rd floor of Baishev University became familiar and its walls are decorated with our self-made profiles.
Lessons were useful for me although I know English at good level. They gave me a chance to revise grammar, have a speaking practice and develop my professional skills. Who knows? Maybe one day I’ll write my articles in English remembering these lessons.
English is the leading language in many fields of activity including journalism. I have studied English language since 7th grade, I use it in my daily life. First of all, English was necessary to me to communicate with friends from foreign countries, including the USA, to get acquainted with novelties in literature and cinematograph, generally for expansion of an outlook and obtaining new knowledge. Now I work as the journalist, and further I want to improve myself in this profession therefore knowledge of English is necessary for me.
I will give several examples why I need English. There are cultural events, international forums, sports competitions with participation of invited guests speaking in English in my city. Knowledge of English gives me the chance to communicate with guests from foreign countries, without feeling language barriers.
In the English-speaking countries know our stars of sport, show business, culture. I just will call only two names: singer Dimash and star of world boxing Gennady Golovkin as known as GGG. Their fans come to our country, in order to learn about the homeland of their idol, traditions and culture. With knowledge of English it will be easier to tell guests about our country. This is one of the journalists' duties.
The profession of the journalist is impossible without travel, business trips to other countries. And impeccable English language relieves many problems and make fruitful stay practically in any country. Also with knowledge of English I will have an opportunity to improve my professional skills from the famous English-speaking journalists.
I'm interested in these courses, because they give me opportunity not simply to speak in English, but also be good at interviewing, writing articles and reporting. In such a manner, my audience will increase at the expense of English-speaking spectators and readers. Knowledge of English will allow me to work to journalists practically in any country of the world. Further I would like to participate also in other programs of your courses for improvement my knowledge of English.
Nowadays English is one of the most widespread languages in the world. Knowledge of English becomes really important in various fields, such as, tourism, business, medicine, education, IT, law. Therefore, it’s natural that people learn English willingly.
I learned English at school. But I spoke very little English. I tried to learn English myself, but did not know where to start.
I was really good when I heard that the opened a special program for journalists. This course is provided by the University of Pennsylvania. Interesting lessons, fascinating textbooks, creative assignments. I’m getting more and more interested to learn English. I'm used to working with Modules every day: to study the principles of journalism. I’m enriched mine lexicon vocabulary. Thank you so much for this internship!
I have been working at newspaper "Aktobe Times". My priority is to write about urgent social problems at every issue of newspaper. As well as cultural life of our city. Also my responsibility is to conduct column about interesting and famous people.
The knowledge of international language as English gives me so much possibilities in journalism. The foreign sources of information become understandable. It is so necessary to communicate with foreigners without interpreter and to have more business trips. It opens new ways of communication and finding exclusive information for my readers.
Recently it became very interesting to me and I opened the website of the «New York Times». I tried to read their articles. Of course, I did not understand much from the context. But I feel the progress. In early June, foreign fans of the famous Kazakh singer Dimash Kudaibergen arrived in Aktobe. They talked about themselves in English. I was interested to translate their speech. I was happy when I heard the familiar English words. So I was able to understand something.
In addition to that I love listening to English music. I am so glad that now I can not only enjoy my favourite music, but also try to understand what the songs are about. I'm trying to sing in English. Also I study English by application.
I want on travel to speak fluent English with foreigners. It's so beautiful when communicate with foreigners. I dream to go to America. The knowledge of English is a great power. When I learn English, I will watch movies, read your favorite novels in the original language. One of my ambitions: I want to lead the author's column in English. I believe in it.
A few months ago, I had the opportunity to go for free English language training for journalists at a professional level. And I decided not to miss it. I passed the test, and later I was informed that I was successful and I will learn English together with other journalists of our city…
Throughout six months my colleagues and I spent our evenings in our class, by studying grammar, vocabulary, improving our conversational skills and writing skills. Today our English course ends. And even a little sad. It is very difficult to find the words…
All I want to do is to thank my teacher Bibigul Khakimovna, who donated her time and knowledges to us for free for these six months. She is a wonderful and talented teacher, who managed to find a way to such different people like us. I would also like to thank the S.Baishev University for giving us such a bright and cozy class.
And of course I am very grateful to the US Embassy and the British Council for the unique opportunity for me and my colleagues journalists.
Every day knowledge of English becomes more popular and important in this world. Many adults and also children understand it now.
English it is the opportunity to me to get new knowledge about the world, about another culture, about another life and even about my profession as a journalist. Participating in the project from the British Consul, I took a lot of useful for myself, I am not only improved the level of knowledge of the English language, but also learned a lot from the professional standards of journalism.
I am very happy to participate in this program for journalists. During my participation in the English language courses I became more confident in speaking English, I began to understand spoken language more quickly and understand large amounts of text in English.
In the future, I would like to raise the level of English to a professional level and work as a translator or develop my career as a journalist, working at the international level.