F.L.E.X. (Future Leaders Exchange) Program Camp in Lenkeran

*** A Few Facts***
1) A US government-sponsored program for secondary school students throughout Eurasia
2) Provides scholarship funding for students to travel to the US, attend a US high school for a full academic year, and live with a US host family
3) Established in 1992 as the centerpiece of the Eurasian Secondary School Initiative under the FREEDOM Support Act
4) Funding is provided by the US Department of State

A group of twenty outstanding students from around Lenkeran were exclusively invited to attend an extensive, week long, FLEX preparatory camp in July. Over the course of the week, students developed their knowledge of test taking skills; essay writing abilities; and interviewing proficiency.
Three Azerbaijani English teachers and two former FLEX alumni were present during the course of the week and facilitated the sessions with the help of two Peace Corps Volunteers. The week began with an interactive introduction activity to get everyone acquainted; from there we began addressing the curriculum areas mentioned above. Former FLEX students developed a PowerPoint presentation to familiarize students with the program’s history and goals, along with giving information about the different stages of the application process.
In the test-taking component, students learned how to correctly complete a personal information form, and they were informed about items that need to be brought on the day of the test. The facilitator discussed rules of testing and the consequences of breaking those rules. Throughout the week, students practiced sample tests, and timed pre-TOFEL tests. The participants were also given sample tests to
complete at home. Each student’s scores were documented and they were given a specific improvement plan based on their test taking strengths and challenges.
As for the essay-writing component, students learned the basic strategies of essay writing, including: organization, content, and the mechanics of a well-structured essay. Students were given the opportunity to brainstorm specific essay topics as a group, and individually. Each student was given essays to complete at home, which were graded by the facilitators. At the end of the week students wrote
timed essays as they would during the actual FLEX application process.
The interview a major component of the FLEX application procedure. Participants were taught how to positively present themselves during an interview. Students practiced good eye contact, appropriate facial expressions, posture, and speech volume, along with giving creative and informative answers to the interviewer’s questions. During the mock interviews students gave answers to questions similar to those they would during the third round of the FLEX application.
At some point during the FLEX application, students are asked to participate in a group activity with other FLEX applicants. This gives the administrators an opportunity to watch the students interact with their peers. We developed mock group activities for students to participate in and at the completion of each activity the facilitators gave feedback to the students.
Upon the completion of camp, four students were given awards based upon best testing, interviewing, essay writing, and over all improvement.