29 December, 2018

Gabfest Club's meeting in December 2018


On December, 2 Gary Becker’s legacy at Dnipro Window on America.
An outstanding US economist Gary S. Becker was introduced to the Gabfest Club members. Mr. G.S.Becker was a Nobel Prize (1992) winner. Gary Becker was an outlier in economics. At a time when the discipline – and all of the social sciences – grew more mathematical, narrow and esoteric, he offered broad and powerful insights into everyday life. His career is a reminder of how and why academe can enrich American society.
The patrons has translated the titles of G. Becker’s books and watched several videos to illustrate his famous theories. After translating several popular quotes by G. Becker the group shared their own investments in themselves – from health activities (fitness, swimming pool visits) to   new qualifications courses.
During the Speed English activity, the Club members shared their views about economics as a science and its effect on our everyday life.
 Participants number – 28 persons.

on December, 8 – International Anti-Corruption Day.
Today’s session of the Gabfest Club in Dnipro Window on America center (Ukraine) reminded the club members about the International Anti-corruption Day observed on December, 09.
Corruption is a serious crime that can undermine social and economic development in all societies. No country, region or community is immune to this crime.
We raised the awareness about the global campaign against corruption that focuses on how corruption affects education, health, justice, democracy, prosperity and development.  The campaign’s title is "Corruption: An impediment to the Sustainable Development Goals".
The group was familiarized with the phenomenon of “whistleblowing”, its definition and practices in the USA and other English-speaking countries.
The aim of the anti-corruption communication campaign is to support a positive and pro-active stance against corruption.
 During the Speed English activity the club members shared their stories about corruption cases in Ukraine and opinions  regarding  fighting this crime.
Participants number – 37 persons.

on December, 15 – A marvelous and fascinating trip to Boston with Mrs. Tetiana Kraplina and Henry Longfellow poem.
Today we participated in special session of  the Gabfest Club  in Window on America center Dnipro (Ukraine) devoted to Boston – one of the first cities of the United States of America, the capital of the state Massachusetts, which has a big and rich history, and which is known as “the smartest city” in the USA, as it is the place of famous and well-known Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology and many other higher educational institutions, and which is also known as the place of such key event of the American Revolution as Boston Tea Party.
The member of club Mrs. Tetiana Kraplina has been to Boston four times to visit her brother’s family, so she gladly agreed to be our guide to this city with European architecture and well-developed industry.
Mrs. Tetiana loves Boston so very much that she happily presented us the photos that she took in there with all the buildings, museums, tourist attractions. We all were thrilled how she told us about the above mentioned Harvard University, in which in the very beginning there were only nine students, MIT, the Charles River, Massachusetts Old State House and New State House, Harvard Bridge, also known as MIT bridge, which united Boston and Cambridge, the Longfellow Bridge and many other ones, which she visited, Third Central Artery / Tunnel Project or Big Dig – the most expensive project in the history of construction in the USA, which was built so carefully that no house was destroyed and environmental situation improved. Also Mrs. Tetiana attracted our attention to John Hancock Place (Tower), Prudential Tower, considered to be one of the highest skyscrapers in the USA, Old North Church, Custom House Tower, Quincy Market – to name a few. Mrs. Tetiana told us that Boston was built in the area in which there were many swamps and hills which builders had to cut to create the architecture which we enjoyed seeing today, just like the Bostonians themselves enjoy nowadays.
In addition to Mr. Tetiana story Mr. Vitaliy shared some information about the famous citizen of Boston – the famous poet Henry Longfellow, who is also one of the well known graduated of Harvard University. Everyone joined in reading and translating one of his beautiful poems.
In the second part of meeting the speaking club’s member started asking question to Mrs. Tetiana. Since the topic of Boston is pretty huge, it turned out that we had lots of questions: about her visits to Boston, the local climate, her impressions, the public transport, how long did it take her to get Boston, so many questions, that Mrs. Tetiana was a bit tired, but everyone was happy and satisfied with answers, and so we are looking forward to new impressions about Boston from Tetiana to share with us.
Participants number – 32 persons.

 
on December, 22 – Human Rights Declaration -70!
This year we celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
Today’s session of the Gabfest Club in Dnipro Window on America center (Ukraine) reminded the club members about UDHR.
The Gabfest Club members were offered an opportunity to promote, engage and reflect on the Declaration and its relevance in everyday life. We have read and translated the list of human rights and discussed their importance.
The second part of the session was dedicated to the conversation about St. Nicolaus  Day celebration in Ukraine. We have compared the facts about the real Saint with the mass culture image, describes the celebration events in Ukraine and watched YouTube videos illustrating the topic.
Participants number – 31 persons.


on December, 29 – US Xmas Celebrations in 2018!
Today’s session of the Gabfest Club in Dnipro Window on America center (Ukraine) was dedicated to Christmas holidays in the USA.
We have introduced the club members to several wonderful traditions popular with the American people. We started with the official White House videos. First we learned a lot of interesting things about the Xmas Tree delivery ceremony by a Clydesdale’ horse-drawn wagon. The Mountain Top Fraser Fir from Newland, NC, was named Grand Champion in this year’s selection contest overseen by the National Christmas Tree Association. The highlight of the session was the guided tour of the lavishly decorated White House from the First Lady. The group enjoyed her pleasant voice and the explanations about the symbolism of the Xmas decorations.
This year at White House the decorations follow the theme “American Treasures,” which celebrates patriotism and honors elements of the country’s heritage. The theme honors the heart and spirit of the American people. In the Green Room of the White Houses, a tree decorated with fruits, vegetables and grains represents the country’s “bounty and harvest”. The choice of red for the hall is an extension of the pales, or stripes, found in the presidential seal designed by our Founding Fathers, it’s a symbol of valor and bravery. The Xmas tree lightening tradition was illustrated with the Rockefeller Center’s tree named Shelby. The Club members learned a lot of new things about Xmas celebration in the USA.
In the second part of the session we remembered the International Movie Day and illustrated it with a YouTube video about the Lumier brothers’ invention. The Speed English activity offered a conversation about favorite films and actors.
The Xmas after-party was enjoyed by all participants. We had a lot of fun with a delicious cake and Xmas karaoke.
Participants number – 27 persons.

19 December, 2018

hristmas Art Therapy at School No.22


Dnipro high school № 22 provides in-depth study of English; it’s a specialized school – one of the best in town. For many years it cooperates with DOUNB Library and "Window on America" Center.
The WOA’s Head Svetlana Usenko told students about American Christmas and New Year traditions. 3 lessons in which Svitlana participated flew like a flash. The students’ show was followed by slide-show presentation and demonstration of relevant videos. The students learned about the annual celebration in the USA.
The final Christmas activity offered to the students was coloring Christmas pictures. Many of the students left school with a lovely Christmas gift for their parents.
Number of participants – 75 persons.

11 December, 2018

Activate English group 10.9. and Activate English group 10.10 - graduation!


on December, 4  Activate English group 10.9. at Dnipro Window on America center.
This afternoon the English learners practiced dialogues about "Transport" and discussed the best kinds of public transport in Ukraine and Dnipro city.
The Activate English group’s students determined which transport they usually use, and which one they like. It turned out that those are totally different types of transport.
The professional EFL lecturer T. Gavryliuk combines the lexical exercises with important cross-cultural information that will help the English learners to understand their foreign counterparts better and to avoid awkward situations in communication.
All the participants found the session educational and helpful.
Number of participants – 25 persons.
 
on December, 11 Activate English. 10.0.: Group’s Graduation.
This afternoon the Activate English group 10.0.  in Dnipro Window on America had the last session of the course.
The group was introduced to the phrases and vocabulary for travelers. They practiced the topic “At a Hotel” and learned to book hotel rooms and basics of check-in/check-out procedures.
The most diligent participants of the Activate English group received WOA’s Certificates of Attendance.
Well done, guys!
Participants number – 20 persons.