Skype session.American slang&idioms

February 5, at 2 p.m.  we had English Speaking Club with two Peace Corps Volunteers Jun Blore and Andrew Brož . This time we had Skype session with another Peace Corps Volunteer Charlie from Doneck and Kimberley from the USA. It was devoted to American slang and idioms. There were 22 people, among them students, pupils and teachers.

We had an interesting talk with native speakers who gave us information concerning common slang words and expressions from different topics and spheres of life so that the visitors got the idea of the language American youth speaks. Firstly a word or expression was given to the audience and everyone had to guess what that meant. Then we were given the right answer and after discussed it relating to Ukrainian. The club members knew many interesting and useful expressions and improved their knowledge in such way. It was also very useful to communicate with native Americans and to get acquainted with their everyday communication.

 I must say this session had a very big success.

 

A trip to Colorado

January 29, at 2 p.m.  we had English Speaking Club with two Peace Corps Volunteers Jun Blore and Andrew Brož . This time we were speaking about Colorado. There were 15 people, among them students and teachers. The volunteers shared information about this state and its peculiarities. We discovered the geography and conditions of living there. Colorado turned out to be a very specific place because of its landscapes. The club members also had an opportunity to look through the pictures made by Andrew during his family vacation to Colorado.

Everyone was impressed by the scenery of the mountains, hills, trees, plants and the nature in general. We got a new look and found more information about one more American state and natural wonder.    

The club members knew that Colorado is not so famous like the Grand Canyon but still it’s very attractive and beautiful. It’s a very nice place for family vacation.  

We couldn’t but be surprised by the beauty of American nature. 

                                                       

The Grand Canyon

January 22, at 2 p.m.  we had English Speaking Club with two Peace Corps Volunteers Jun Blore and Andrew Brož . This session was devoted to the natural US wonder – the Grand Canyon. There were 13 people, among them students and teachers. The volunteers told us about this national park, its history, geography and peculiarities. They also shared their own experience in visiting the Grand Canyon, showed many pictures made by themselves and it made a great impression on everybody. We could feel this wonder closer to us.

The visitors found out a bit of history facts concerning the Canyon. We learned what people lived in the Canyon during some time, saw the pictures of their caves, discovered conditions of their living and the reasons they had to leave this place.

The club members got the idea that Grand Canyon is an extremely popular place to visit. It attracts millions of tourists each year. We found out about such place of interest as Skywalk and got a great desire to visit this wonderful place.

But before discussing the main topic we spend some time doing TOEFL. We tried new activity - shortwriting, everyone worked very hard.

5 minutes to write anything you have in mind about snow

Martin Luther King

January 15, at 2 p.m.  we had English Speaking Club with two Peace Corps Volunteers Jun Blore and Andrew Brož . This session was devoted to Martin Luther King and his contribution to the American history. There were 9 people, among them students and teachers. We were speaking about this great person, listened to his famous speech and discussed it. The visitors found out facts of Martin Luther King’s biography, his deeds and activity. We tried to find out if Martin Luther King’s dream came true. Everyone expressed his point of view concerning this question and we all together concluded that Martin Luther King made a great contribution to the development of American society, improving of the life of Afro-Americans and development of democracy in the USA. It was very interesting to sink into the atmosphere of that time, events of that period and to feel the whole Martin Luther King’s significance for the people.

Lets get started working after all holidays!!!

Winter holidays in the USA, Christmas

December 18 at 2 p.m.  we had English Speaking Club with two Peace Corps Volunteers Jun Blore and Andrew Brož . This session was devoted to winter holidays, especially Christmas, in the USA. There were 9 people, among them students and teachers. We were speaking about different winter holidays, traditions of celebration and differences in celebration of these holidays in the USA and Ukraine. We discussed the ways American and Ukrainian families celebrate Christmas, spoke about peculiarities of celebration in both countries. The visitors found out more about USA winter customs and traditions and encouraged for further coming New Year and Christmas. We also decided to listen to Christmas songs and plays popular in the USA.

 

The visitors also had an opportunity to play games. They enjoyed it very much. We had a really great time.

Religion in the USA

December 11, at 2 p.m.  we had English Speaking Club with two Peace Corps Volunteers Jun Blore and Andrew Brož . This session was devoted to religion in the USA. There were 10 people, among them students and teachers. We were speaking about the main religion of the US – Christianity and variety of other religions which can be observed among Americans. We discussed the role of religion in American life and lives of people of all nations. The visitors found out ways of forming religion in the US. We had an interesting discussion about the role of religion particularly in our lives and our own attitude to religion. Everyone expressed his own opinion. We all together concluded that religion is something private and shouldn’t influence surrounding people’s lives.

The theme was quite serious and unusual but it appeared to be very interesting.

We also told our visitors about presents from the US and proposed them to look them through. Everyone discovered each item very thoroughly with great excitement. They liked books and games very much and now can’t wait to use these materials.