Last year, COAF’s English textbooks transformed classrooms across Armenia. This year, COAF is going even further.

The Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) has long recognized English language education as a gateway to global opportunities for Armenia’s rural youth. Today, COAF proudly marks a major milestone in this mission: the development and submission of new English language textbooks for grades 4, 9, 11, and 12, soon to be available for public school teachers nationwide.

These textbooks signify a strategic scaling up from a localized approach to a national impact, the result of years of dedicated effort and expertise. They are part of a comprehensive vision for English education that encompasses teacher training, curriculum development, and programs actively operating in 46 communities across Armenia.

Explore what makes these textbooks unique, the two-decade journey that has shaped COAF’s pioneering approach, and the transformative impact this initiative is having across the country.

A Legacy of Empowerment Through Language

COAF’s commitment to English education began in 2006 with a small pilot program for young learners in rural Armenia. What started as a localized effort has since grown into a comprehensive initiative spanning 114 communities and impacting nearly 5,000 students.

COAF English Access class in Lernagog, 2014.

One of the early turning points came through COAF’s partnership with the U.S. Embassy in Armenia, which helped expand English education via the English Access Microscholarship Program. Since its launch, this collaboration has empowered over 2,138 students across 92 rural communities, providing them with critical language skills and opportunities for further education.

As the English programs evolved, COAF introduced several key initiatives to enhance learning:

• 2011: The first English Language Club was launched during summer camps, giving students a fun, interactive way to practice English through puppet theater, storytelling, and creative games.
• 2012: COAF’s first English summer camps welcomed over 600 children, creating immersive environments where students could build confidence in their language skills.
• 2024: COAF’s then 13 year-old English Access program expanded its scope with 9 summer day camps designed to develop soft skills such as empathy leadership, active listening and more for over 600 students.
• Ongoing Expansion: Over the years, COAF has continued to innovate, offering online courses, teacher training programs, and large-scale poetry contests to strengthen critical thinking, public speaking, and creative expression in English.

COAF English Programs Today, A Ladder to Success

Fast forward to today, COAF is impacting almost 500 public schools, with COAF textbooks, and COAF teacher training in a smaller subset of schools. COAF after-school English programs extend to the rural regions of Lori, Aragatsotn, Armavir, and Shirak. These programs prepare youth for success in a globalized world while shaping the future of English education in Armenia.

“Access not only gave me the opportunity to learn English, but also not to be afraid to speak. COAF’s English programs opened doors I never imagined possible.”
– Khanum Gevorgyan, COAF Alumni

One of those doors, for her and 12 other COAF alumni, was acceptance into the highly competitive Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) Program, funded by the U.S. Department of State. The program allows students from over 20 countries to develop leadership skills, learn about American society and values, and act as ambassadors of their home countries while living and studying for a year in the U.S. FLEX program alumni have gone on to pursue university degrees at prestigious institutions.

“Access was the program through which I learned English. It helped shape me into who I am, and today, I stand before you as a testament to COAF’s impact. I’m currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Economics at Harvard University.”
– Maksim Yervandyan, COAF Beneficiary

This year, of the 35,000 applicants from around the world, four more COAF English program students have been accepted to the esteemed program, Rima Asryan, Gagik Tsaturyan, Garnik Saroyan, and Olya Ghulyan (waitlisted), all thanks to the skills and motivation they gained through COAF’s English Access program and COAF’s formal education programs. Rima excitedly shares, “Being the first finalist in my village is a big responsibility—to show teenagers here that we can open every door if we’re willing to fight for the keys.”

The Evolution of Textbooks: From Lesson Plans to National Success

In 2022, COAF took its commitment to English education to a new level with the launch of the English-Speaking Rural Schools program. This initiative was designed to work within Armenia’s public school system, collaborating with teachers in rural communities. Under the leadership of Anna Arakelyan—COAF’s English Program Manager and president of the Association of English Teachers in Armenia—the team began creating detailed lesson plans for teachers.

“Our goal is to transform public education by empowering teachers, the direct beneficiaries of our program. Through just 38 teachers in our formal English education initiative, we’ve reached 2,679 in Armavir, Aragatsotn, Shirak, and Lori..”
– Anna Arakelyan, COAF English Program Manager

However, Anna quickly encountered a major obstacle: no existing English textbooks adhered to Armenia’s newly adopted state standards for education. To address this gap, COAF’s team began developing their own content, meticulously designed to meet both modern educational standards and the specific needs of rural students.

In 2023, COAF applied for the national textbook competition for grades 3, 6, and 8. The COAF-developed textbooks won with the highest evaluation scores and are now used in nearly 500 public schools across the regions of Yerevan, Lori, Vayots Dzor, Syunik, Shirak, Armavir, and Aragatsotn. Shortly after, in 2024, COAF received a gold medal from the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports, recognizing its contributions to public education reform and the implementation of new state standards.

Recent Developments: Expanding COAF’s Reach

At the beginning of 2025, COAF submitted new English textbooks for grades 4, 9, 11, and 12 as part of its ongoing efforts to improve public education in Armenia. These textbooks have already been piloted in schools in Lori and Armavir as part of COAF’s broader English education initiatives. If approved by the Ministry of Education, the textbooks will soon be available for use across the country, building upon the success of the previous competition-winning materials.

What Makes COAF’s Textbooks Unique?

COAF’s textbooks are designed with an innovative, student-centered approach that emphasizes interactive learning. Each lesson follows a structured yet flexible format:

• Lead-In Section – Activates students’ prior knowledge.
• Introduction – Presents new material through teacher instruction.
• Controlled Practice – Allows students to practice with guided support.
• Less-Controlled Practice – Students are given more independence in new knowledge application*
• Application Stage – Encourages students to personalize and apply their knowledge independently in real life.

The textbooks aim to instill a sense of accomplishment in every student, helping even the most reserved learners confidently engage with the material. Additionally, authentic audio materials—recorded by native English speakers, not AI—enhance listening comprehension. This is complemented by contributions from Peace Corps volunteers and other native language experts who helped refine the content.

“The way the lessons are structured and the local context we incorporated make it easier for students to connect with the material. That’s just one of the many ways our textbooks stand apart from what has normally been available in schools in Armenia.”
– Anna Arakelyan, COAF English Program Manager

Another key feature is the collaboration with experienced public school teachers in the textbook development process. This approach ensured that the materials were culturally relevant and contextually adapted to Armenia’s rural communities. Students encounter examples and narratives grounded in their own realities, making learning relatable and meaningful.

Impact on Teachers and Communities

A significant component of COAF’s formal education programs is the professional development of public school teachers. COAF’s team provides ongoing mentorship and training to beneficiary teachers across multiple regions.

Just last year, 24 English teachers from Lori participated in a nine-month training program, which included a Certificate to Teach English as a Foreign Language (CTEFL) course at the American University of Armenia (AUA). This training, funded by COAF, offered both theoretical and practical modules, with AUA instructors conducting field visits to observe and support teachers in their classrooms.

COAF’s commitment to teacher development is yielding tangible results. Teachers have reported improvements in both their own proficiency and their ability to engage students effectively.

“Lesson by lesson, I see the progress in my students: I see how motivated they are and how they attend the classes with the greatest pleasure and willingness to develop their English language skills. This all gives me satisfaction and I feel proud, the process is really rewarding for me.” – Liana Karapetyan, a beneficiary public school teacher from Darpas, Lori

Building the Future Through Language

COAF remains steadfast in its mission to empower the youth of rural Armenia through high-quality education. The success of the English programs and textbooks underscores the transformative power of language—opening doors to global opportunities, bridging cultural divides, and inspiring generations of young Armenians to dream beyond borders.

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