“Enhancing English Proficiency through COIL: the Collaboration between TUD and SUSh”

The SMARTI project aims to enhance the use of English in Armenia, particularly in academic programs such as natural sciences, mathematics, engineering, and information technology. These fields, where instruction is predominantly not conducted in English, are crucial for the internationalization of higher education programs. The collaboration between the Technical University of Dresden (TUD) and State University of Shirak (SUSh) within the SMARTI project has contributed to the organization and implementation of COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) sessions, discussions on relevant topics, and subsequent sessions in a Q&A format, fostering intercultural learning and improving students’ English proficiency.
During COIL meetings, up to date and interesting topics have been discussed, such as “The Republic of Armenia: the country and culture,” “Accessibility in Society (focusing on current challenges in daily life and how IT, architecture, and language acquisition can support them),” and “Essential Skills and Tips on writing a Business and Marketing Plan.”
During the first meeting on “The Republic of Armenia: the country and culture,” various statistical data about Armenia were discussed, such as population, territory, the right to free speech, marketing in Armenia, etc. All this was mainly presented in the form of infographics. Armenian students expressed their opinions about the reliability of the information and it turned out that data about Armenia on the Internet is difficult to access and is even incorrect in some places. However, the German students were praised for conducting such research about Armenia.

The second meeting was no less important, focusing on “Accessibility in Society (focusing on current challenges in daily life and how IT, architecture, and language acquisition can support them).” During this meeting, German students presented about the challenges that non-native speakers in Germany face during the educational process and the proposed solutions. Then the issue of accessibility of public spaces was addressed, emphasizing the principles of inclusive design in various fields. The Reichstag building was presented as a successful example of accessible architecture. The meeting concluded by presenting strategies for improving the accessibility of digital documents. Overall, the importance of inclusive practices, adaptation, and continuous improvement in both physical and digital environments to promote equal access and participation for all individuals, regardless of ability or background, was emphasized.
During the meeting, students also conversed with Meri Abgaryan, who had previously studied in Yerevan and is now pursuing a master’s degree at Dresden University. Armenian students discussed the advantages and challenges of studying in Germany through a Q&A session, and Meri presented opportunities for scholarships in Germany.
One of the following meetings was on “Essential Skills and Tips on writing a Business and Marketing Plan.” This topic is especially relevant in today’s competitive business field, where a well-developed plan can be the key to success. The meeting aimed to equip students with the necessary skills to develop comprehensive and effective business and marketing strategies.
Two groups presented slideshows on this topic and talked about a number of important issues. They explained how to create a business plan, find a source of funding, and presented the types of funding opportunities available. In addition, several real-life examples were cited, and various strategic plans were discussed through these examples.
After presenting the slideshows, the groups answered questions related to the topic posed by online meeting participants. The main purpose of the Q&A session is to determine how well-informed the speakers are about the presented topic.
During the evaluation, participants voiced their opinions on the positive and negative aspects of the presentations, after which the lecturer summarized the expressed opinions and provided a final summary, highlighting strengths and weaknesses and offering suggestions for improvement.
For the first group, the positive aspects included smooth pronunciation and a well-structured presentation. However, a number of shortcomings were suggested to be taken into account, such as including not only examples related to Dresden but also international examples to allow other participants to engage more actively in the discussion. The lecturer also noted some pronunciation errors.
One of the positive aspects of the second group included a topic-related presentation rich in real-life examples, which were effectively showcased. However, here too some improvement suggestions were pointed out by the participants, relating to technical issues and inconsistency in presentation design. There were also pronunciation errors, and it was suggested to make the presentation more inclusive next time.

The COIL meetings within the SMARTI project between the Technical University of Dresden (TUD) and State University of Shirak (SUSh) have proven to be extremely beneficial for both speakers and participants. For the speakers, these meetings provide a valuable opportunity to improve their presentation, communication, and English skills, receive constructive feedback, and gain insights into international perspectives. Feedback provided by the participants helps the speakers improve their presentations, fostering a culture of continuous enhancement and improvement.
For the participants and evaluators, participating in COIL meetings strengthens their critical thinking skills and allows them to provide constructive evaluation. Attending presentations on various topics broadens their horizons and encourages them to improve their knowledge in the respective field.
Since these meetings continue, they will undoubtedly play an important role in promoting intercultural communication, improving English proficiency, and fostering collaboration among students and institutions.