Training for English Language Teachers

Below are a series of short videos designed to help teachers navigate the Molodets materials and incorporate them effectively into their instruction. Each video highlights a different pedagogical focus, showing practical ways to extend and adapt Molodets' content for the classroom. There is also a toolkit for presenting on Molodets if you would like to become a Molodets trainer and teach others about this amazing resource!

Teaching American Culture

Teaching American culture in EFL helps learners move beyond grammar to understand how English is actually used in real-life contexts, including social norms, communication styles, and everyday interactions. It builds cultural awareness and confidence, enabling learners to communicate more naturally and effectively with native speakers.

This video provides additional information about the American culture content of Molodets: how it was chosen, how it is formatted, how to find what you are looking for, and how to best use it with your students!

Gamification in English Language Learning

Gamification is the application of game-design elements—such as points, leaderboards, and badges—in non-game contexts to boost engagement, motivation, and productivity. It works by applying psychological principles to make tasks more enjoyable and rewarding, commonly used in education, training, and workplace apps.

This video introduces the idea of Gamification, provides specific examples of how to “gamify” traditional teaching materials, and introduces the games of Molodets!

The Deep Learning Approach

The Molodets website draws on the Deep Approach (DA) to teaching and learning world languages and cultures, which serves as a conceptual lens for designing meaningful and engaging learning experiences. Within this framework, the site aligns with Tochon’s (2010; 2014) Interpret–Analyze–Present–Interact (IAPI) curriculum model. This model guides learners through a process of interpreting authentic materials, analyzing language and cultural meaning, presenting ideas in personally meaningful ways, and interacting with others through communication and collaboration. Together, the Deep Approach and the IAPI model support the development of language and literacy by encouraging learners to actively construct knowledge rather than passively receive information. Join Dr. Dilnoza Khasilova to learn more in this video.

Sources:

Khasilova, D. (2020). Review of literature: Nonformal ways of schooling. University of Wyoming.
Roberts, A. C., & Khasilova, D. (2025). World language communities of practice: Bridging universities with internationalization at home. Asian Journal of Education and Training, 11(1), 13–21.
Tochon, F. V. (2014). Help them learn a language deeply: François Victor Tochon’s deep approach to world languages and cultures. Deep University Press.
Tochon, F. V., Karaman, A. C., & Ökten, C. E. (2014). Deep approach to Turkish teaching and learning: An online instructional model.

The Growth Mindset

A growth mindset, coined by Dr. Carol Dweck from Stanford University, is the belief that intelligence and abilities can be developed through dedication, effort, and learning from mistakes. It focuses on embracing challenges, persisting through setbacks, and viewing mistakes as opportunities for improvement.

This video introduces the idea of “Growth Mindset” and also provides an orientation to the digital textbooks!

Train the Trainer Kit

The Molodets Train-the-Trainer Kit is a ready-to-use package designed to help educators confidently introduce and share the Molodets program with others. It includes editable PowerPoint slides, printable handouts, a step-by-step facilitator’s guide, and promotional materials—all free to customize, use, and adapt —with full encouragement to present and lead your own Molodets training sessions.

Click the speech bubble icon to download the kit. If you have any questions, please contact katie@iwrcenter.org.

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About Tsvetnik

Tsvetnik was a professional development program designed to prepare English language teachers to become trainers themselves through a Training-of-Trainers (ToT) model.

Through Tsvetnik, teachers were trained to facilitate workshops, lead professional learning, and mentor colleagues in the following focus areas:

Growth Mindset
Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL)
Gamification
Project-Based Learning
Digital Media Literacy & Critical Thinking Skills
American Road Trip Adventure

Below, you’ll find training kits for each topic, including a PowerPoint presentation and a facilitator’s guide. You can download and explore these materials for your own professional development, or use them as a foundation for designing and leading training for your colleagues.

All materials are Open Educational Resources (OER)—free to use, share, adapt, and repurpose. When possible, please credit the International Women’s Resource Center (IWRC) and the Regional English Language Office (RELO).

Tsvetnik Training Materials

To download the training materials, click the event icons below.