Mr.Atashian Closer to Audience Eye
Soheil Atashian is a Turkish-Iranian born on June 20th 1985 in Tabriz, north-west Iran. His father, a banker, was regularly on the move; therefore, the family lived in various places making it a chance for Soheil to get to know different people, cultures and life styles.
Soheil acquired English as a child and despite great interest in different study fields and subjects, he recognized himself having an impressive ability of language teaching and learning. Given that, he did his B.A. in English Language and Literature at the University of Tabriz, and he now holds an M.A. in English Language Teaching from the same university where he received his B.A. degree. Soheil Atashian’s mother tongue is Turkish, and his second language is Persian (Farsi). Besides his native and second languages, he masters English, French, Azerbaijani, and has academic and reading knowledge of Arabic and German.
Soheil enjoyed the experience of studying with eminent national and international linguists and language teachers such as Prof. Jack C. Richards. Throughout his teaching career, he has been the language teacher, educational supervisor, IELTS & TOEFL Trainer and Examiner and the Teacher Trainer of several well-known institutes in Iran, Turkey and Oman, and founded his own language school. He also taught English to gifted students of Ph. D at the University of Tabriz.
Since it made its debut almost nineteen year ago, Atashian’s teaching history is replete with eventful experiences. He has even managed to teach illiterate and mentally disabled pupils. Atashian has taught English and French to people of different proficiency levels, age and ethnic groups. His students, many of whom are recognized language teachers in Oman, Iran and Turkey, follow his approach in teaching foreign languages.
Soheil visited several countries in the world and closely observed people’s life style, cultural traits and manners. He has taught students with different nationalities and is very well aware of cultural significance in language teaching. That is why his main interest lies within the domain of Language and Culture. Moreover, he is an expert in Pragmatics, Second and Foreign Language Teaching, Curriculum Planning and Designing, Grammar and Psycho-linguistics.
Atashian has presented seminal papers in different countries and scientific journals; he was invited by the world’s outstanding universities such as Harvard University, University of Oxford, and the Australian National University to present his research papers.
Regarding his interests and pastime activities, Soheil used to do Kung Fu professionally and is quite keen on mountain climbing and hiking. His main interest, however, is studying philosophy, psychology and literature.
Atashian is currently a lecturer, Quality Management Office, and the Head of the Examination Committee at the Department of Foreign Languages at the University of Nizwa in Oman.
Soheil regularly tries to boost his academic and pedagogic skills, and above all, he makes a painstaking endeavor to motivate students by encouraging them at every single opportunity. His wise, talented Omani students refer to him anytime they are in need of assistance concerning their academic life.