Hey, dear friends! My name is Sonya. I am from the Blue Team. This is my 4th session in MMC and I enjoy visiting this camp a lot. I like this place because of shiny people and amazing counselors. I want to come here again and again.
Yesterday was a stunning day. We made a great job with my squad. We had an exciting performance. It was really hard to choose an idea because there were so many, but counselors helped us with creating the stage and realisation. So I think this play was unpredictable and different from other teams’ performances.
In conclusion, I am absolutely interested in preparing every activity. I
feel calm and peaceful every time when we work together with my lovely gang. Have a nice day! Love you all!
Sonya Mozhaeva, 14 years old.
РУБРИКА ПЕДАГОГА
Greetings, readers!
My name is Artem, and I am an English teacher here, at the MMC. I am currently 22, and MMC has been a part of me for longer than I can remember. Since the very start of the English + program back in 2010, the omnipresence of English has been one of the many trademark features of the camp – and it’s the main duty of the teaching staff to uphold it. At all our lessons – especially with the higher-level groups – English is customary and Russian is used really rarely, only when certain obscure concepts have to be explained. Even beyond the classes kids are encouraged to speak to us in English – practice makes perfect.
During the lessons we mainly use materials taken from a wide range of course books, combined with active games and various creative activities to make lessons as enjoyable and engaging as possible. Students solve mysteries, create fantasy worlds and write their own restaurant menus – practicing useful vocabulary and constantly getting better at expressing themselves.
The students are divided into groups based on their level of English. CEFR (or the Common European Framework of Reference) names 7 levels of English knowledge – from A0 to C2. The most common levels during this session are B1 and B2 – intermediate levels that mean that the student is able to communicate certain complex ideas and understand a wide variety of common topics with little to no help from dictionaries. Needless to say, it is a pleasure to work with such pupils, and I enjoy this possibility immensely!
Awaiting the participants near the end of these three weeks is the main challenge – the final exams. Throughout the session, they have had several opportunities to feel what exam level that is best for them: their experience during lessons, test preparation station during ‘Stations at Options’, and a mock exam in the middle of the session. It means that the students enter the exam hall armed with more than enough knowledge to pass successfully – and often admirably.
We’re at the middle of the session now, and I clearly see the results of our work – our participants speak much more English and do it much more enthusiastically, using sayings and slang words as they go. It’s always pleasant to witness such rapid progress, and it will be no overstatement to say that any teacher would be proud of – and very happy for – such students. 
Best regards, Artem
