30 June, 2018

June 2018 at Dnipro Window on America center

June 2018 @ Dnipro Window on America center

Poster display: About US
Book display: American Flag Day

June, 2 – ESC Gabfest at 2:00 p.m.
June, 5 – Activate English! at 4:00 p.m.
June, 6Wednesday Movie Club at 5:00 p.m.
June, 9ESC Gabfest at 2:00 p.m.
June, 12Activate English! at 4:00 p.m.
June, 13Wednesday Movie Club at 5:00 p.m.
June, 14 Grasshoppers Club at 3:00 p.m.
June, 14Start English at 5:00 p.m.
June, 16ESC Gabfest at 2:00 p.m.
June, 19Activate English! at 4:00 p.m.
June, 20Wednesday Movie Club at 5:00 p.m.
June, 21Grasshoppers Club at 3:00 p.m.
June, 21 – Start English at 5:00 p.m.
June, 23ESC Gabfest at 2:00 p.m.
June, 26Activate English! at 4:00 p.m.
June, 27Wednesday Movie Club at 5:00 p.m.
June, 30ESC Gabfest at 2:00 p.m.


June/July – Display «Picture US».
Dnipro Window on America center presented a new display. Now it’s a good time to boast a WOA’s collection – a set of images “Picture US”.
We have decided to use them for an image display at the center dedicated to the American Flag Day and Independence Day in the USA.
The pictures from the set may be a very useful tool for language teaching and learning. They bring authentic American life to lessons and motivate learners to produce language.
The strong side of the pictures is the sizeable format – it makes them suitable for use in large classes.
The sturdy material will allow this wonderful teaching aid to survive hands-on activities.
The display seen by 150 persons.

June – Book and Image Display "American Flag Day".
 For all who wish to know more about the United States of America, the information and resource center “Window on America center” Dnipro offered the book and image display "American Flag Day". It demonstrates how Americans are proud of their flag:  they raise it every day on flag stocks near their homes, decorate state institutions, sell souvenirs and clothing with state symbols.
The highlight of the display was an authentic American flag – a gift from the WOA Center's volunteer, Anna Akastelova.
The display seen by 150 persons.

on June, 2 – Clean Environment and Exotic Guests.
The session of the Gabfest Club today had a complicated topic so we started with a warm-up activity.
The group was familiarized with a fitness activity that is sweeping the world – plogging.  Plogging is a combination of jogging with picking up litter (Swedish: plocka upp). It started as an organized activity in Sweden around 2016 and spread to other countries in 2018, following increased concern about plastic pollution. As a workout, it provides variation in body movements by adding bending, squatting and stretching to the main action of running.
The official topic of the session was Environment Day 2018. We have discussed in detail the theme of the year - “Beat Plastic Pollution”.  We have examined the UN infographics about the production of plastic in the world and the easy steps to refuse plastic in the everyday life. The topic was illustrated with UN Environment videos about Indian campaigns to beat plastic pollution. India is the host country for Environment Day 2018.
The pleasant surprise for the Gabfest Club members was the arrival of our foreign volunteers – Mr. Eric from Australia and Mr. Edwin from India. After brief introductions of the guests we had a Q&A activity. The Club members learned new things about   stereotypical Australian person and the cast system of India.
The session was educational and funny.
Participant number – 35 persons.

on June, 5  Activate English group 9.4. at Dnipro Window on America center.
The DOUNB Library and the Window on America Dnipro center offer the library patrons an “Express English” activity that will help them to activate their passive knowledge of the foreign language and to overcome the fear of speaking in English.
 Ten two hour- lectures are offered for the participants to improve their conversational skills in pairs.
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.
This afternoon the Activate English group participated in the regional TV shooting. They will watch the video about the adult education at the DOUNB Library in a few days.
The new topic is "My Shopping Habits".
All the participants found the session educational and helpful.
Number of participants – 20 persons.

June, 6«Wednesday Movie Club» / «Кіноклуб по середах»: Soul Surfer.
June, 06 MOVIE CLUB in DniproWOA.
This evening we bigscreened “Soul Surfer”(2011). It is an American biographical drama film directed by Sean McNamara.
Bethany Hamilton, 24, returned to surfing just a month after a 14-foot tiger shark bit off her left arm in 2003.She hadn't won a major surfing event since just after her brave return to the ocean only a month following her ordeal. In 2014 Hamilton won a major title for the first time in nearly ten years. It was Oahu's Surf N Sea Pipeline Women's Pro, a major event held in Hawaii's Banzai Pipeline.
Hamilton's captivating tale of fighting for what you love against all odds was immortalized in the 2011 motion picture “Soul Surfer”, in which she is portrayed by Anna Sophia Robb.
Participants number – 11 persons.

on June, 9 – Surrealism in American and Ukrainian Art.
This week the DOUNB Library hosts an exhibition of a modern Ukrainian artist who works in the genre of Surrealism. This was a good reason to talk about this genre and introduce the iconic American surrealist artists.
The introduction of the American Surrealism started with John D.Graham (Dombrowsky) who was born in Kyiv and eventually became a theorist of Art and a teacher of some surrealistic painters in the USA. The group was very surprised to learn this fact.
Among the first names that were introduced were: iconic US splash painter Jackson Pollock, sculptor Noguchi and dream box master Cornell. The highlight of the session was discussion about Peter Blume.
We were able to find analysis of his two pictures: “South of Scranton” and “The Shrine”. So we translated them to learn how to read a surrealistic painting. To wrap up the introduction of US surrealists we watched a slide show with the works of a female surrealist Kay Sage.
The group shared their impressions about the works of the Ukrainian painter whose works they saw at the exhibition at DOUNB Library. Translation of the paintings’ title was quite a challenge for some Club members.
The session was complicated, but very educational for all participants.
Participants number 32 persons.

on June, 9 – Native speaking guest & his home.
WOA’s volunteer Mr. Eric continues to entertain the group with fun facts about Australia.
This time we learned how to grow bananas in your backyard. The photos of Eric and his family with kangaroos were liked by everybody. All interested club members were shown the Australian banknotes and coins. They looked very unusual as they are made of plastic, not paper.
Participants number 22 persons.

On June, 11 - Summer with WOA:  Summer Camp Kids' Visit.
This morning the Window on America center in Dnipro was visited by a big group of students from the School 23 Summer Camp. We have learned summer vocabulary a Summer Jive song and watched the video about popular fun activities for USA students in summer.
Participants number 38 students + 2 teachers.

on June, 12 - Summer with WOA:  English-language Summer Fun.
The summer project of cooperation with Schools’ Summer Camps is gaining momentum. Today, the "Window on America" Center in Dnipro was visited by the students from the partner school №99.
They were hosted by the head of the WOA Center Svitlana Usenko and volunteer Hanna Motorina. The children happily greeted library staff in English, examined the center’s resources that will help to improve their English skills, watched slideshows and videos. The main focus of the meeting was on the tourist attractions of Dnipro city and Ukraine.
Our young patrons learned about the Ukrainian steppe, the Scythian mounds, the Golden Pectoral and other Ukrainian iconic places - the Sofyivka Park, the Kamyanets-Podilsky Castle, the Khortytsia Island. To wrap up the visit the students played an action game and sang along.
Participants number 18 students + 2 teachers.

on June, 12  Activate English group 9.5. at Dnipro Window on America center.
The DOUNB Library and the Window on America Dnipro center offer the library patrons an “Express English” activity that will help them to activate their passive knowledge of the foreign language and to overcome the fear of speaking in English.
 Ten two hour- lectures are offered for the participants to improve their conversational skills in pairs.
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.
This afternoon the Activate English group participated in the regional TV shooting. They will watch the video about the adult education at the DOUNB Library in a few days.
The new topic is "My favourite book is…".
All the participants found the session educational and helpful.
Number of participants – 20 persons.

on June, 13«Wednesday Movie Club» / «Кіноклуб по середах»: Raising Arizona.
The members of the “Wednesday Movie Club” at Window on America center Dnipro, Ukraine had watched a crime comedy film Raising Arizona.
Raising Arizona is a 1987 American film directed by Joel Coen, produced by Ethan Coen, and written by Joel and Ethan. It stars Nicolas Cage as H.I. "Hi" McDunnough, an ex-convict, and Holly Hunter as Edwina "Ed" McDunnough, a former police officer and Hi's wife.
The Coen brothers set out to work on the film with the intention of making a film as different from their first feature as possible, with a lighter sense of humor and a faster pace. Raising Arizona received mixed reviews at the time of its release, in particular by mainstream critics. It was accused of being too self-conscious, manneristic, and unclear in whether it is situated in the realm of fantasy or in that of reality. Other critics praised the film for its originality and uniqueness.
The film ranked 31st on the American Film Institute's 100 Years...100 Laughs list, and 45th on Bravo's "100 Funniest Movies" list.
WOA’s patrons enjoyed the warm discussion followed the film watching and touched the different aspects of the film: the actors’ playing, the director’s work, the soundtracks and the lifestyles of the fiction heroes.  
Participants number – 12 person.

on June, 14 - Summer with WOA:  English-language Summer Fun.
The summer project of cooperation with Schools’ Summer Camps is gaining momentum. Today, the "Window on America" Center in Dnipro has been visited by the students from the partner school № 23.
They have been hosted by the head of the WOA Center Svitlana Usenko. The children happily greeted the library staff in English, examined the center’s resources that will help them to improve their English skills, watched slideshows and videos.
The children have watched an interactive slideshow about tourist attractions of historic and cultural importance of the city of Dnipro and Ukraine, more specifically, Ukrainian steppe (heath, prairie), the Scythian earthen mounds, the masterpiece of the Scythian art - the Golden Pectoral, Petrykivka painting, traditional Ukrainian embroidered shirts, the national symbols of Ukraine, traditional Ukrainian cuisine. This information is intended to help them to communicate with foreign guests of the city, especially those ones who know a little about Ukraine and wish to know more.
At the end of the meeting the children enjoyed watching some amazing and entertaining videos in English.
Participants number – 40 (38 students + 2 teachers).

on June, 14 – Volunteering Thursday: Grasshoppers Club and Start English group.
The library is the sacred place which stands on the path of knowledge.
Volontier of Window on America Center Ganna Motorina met young and adult patrons of the library to help them to walk this path. And the process of entering English language reality started.
The schoolchildren who are members of the WOA’s “Grasshoppers” got watching the movie and try answer the questions.
And the members of Start English group were also offered a great deal of valuable information and learned plenty of new useful vocabulary.
Number of participants – 11.

June, 16    US Flag Day 2018.
Today’s session of the Gabfest Club was dedicated to the National Flag day in the USA. The flag of the United States represents freedom and has been an enduring symbol of the country’s ideals since its early days. Many people in the United States honor this day by displaying the American flag at homes and public buildings.
In the first part of the session we have been listening to the introductions of the newcomers.
This year the group focused on the US flag history and flag etiquette. We watched several YouTube videos about the US Flag Code. The group has learned a lot of useful terms.
The topic was complemented with the book & image display “AMERICANS Celebrate Flag Day”.
The Speed English activity puzzled the group with a questions “How Patriotic Are You?”
During after session tea party the activists of the Gabfest Club are discussing the plans for US Independence Day celebration.
Participant number – 33 persons.

June, 16    Tea Party.
During after session tea party the activists of the Gabfest Club are discussing the plans for US Independence Day celebration.

on June, 18 – Summer Fun at DOUNB Library.
It has become a good tradition to start a summer week with a visit to the DOUNB Library. WOA Dnipro’s longtime partner is school No.23. The school’s Summer Camp groups regularly visit the WOA Center to keep the English skills of the students from rusting. Today the groups reviewed the summer vocabulary and practiced to tell about Ukraine and Dnipro city in English.
As a bonus the students had a big-screening of a cartoon in English.
Participants number – 10 persons.

June, 18   EFL Teachers’ Visit to WOA Dnipro.
The WOA’s  long-time partner, Dnipro city Teachers’ Training Center,  continues to  upgrade teachers’ methodological skills during the summer break. This afternoon a big group of EFL teachers from Dnipro city and oblast visited the "Window on America" center (Dnipro / Ukraine).
The WOA’s head Svetlana Usenko introduced the facility to the teachers and presented the free resources for improving the English skills available at the center.
Teachers examined the WOA’s technical equipment, the DOUNB Library’s collection of documents in foreign languages at the respective department, the poster display “About US” and book display “American Flag Day”.
Teachers learned about the popular WOA’s activities:
- free access to the digital “eLibrary USA” to prepare academic papers,
- possibility to watch US movies with authentic soundtrack (in a group or individually),
- possibility to meet native speakers at the “Gabfest” English-speaking club sessions,
- “Activate English” course.
The teachers reviewed the promotional trailer about the library resources and received promotional materials. They were invited to follow the WOA’s announcements via the website, social networks (Facebook), to view reference materials and on-line links to the blog.
We have discussed with the Ukrainian EFL teachers different ways of cooperation with their schools and students.
Participants number – 10 persons.

on June, 18 – Volunteering Monday.
The library is the sacred place which stands on the path of knowledge.
Volunteer of Window on America Center Ganna Motorina met adult patrons of the library to help them to walk this path. And the process of entering English language reality started.
The members of Start English group were also offered a great deal of valuable information and learned plenty of new useful vocabulary.
Number of participants – 2.

on June, 19 – Goodbye to Summer Camp Kids.
 It’s time to wrap up the joint project with the School 23 Summer Camp "Sonechko".
On their last visit to the "Window on America» Information and Resource Center we offered the younger students a big-screening of a Disney cartoon. The world famous Puss in Boots (2011) is a jewel from WOA’s the rich collection of DVD films. The children were carried away by the adventures of the sad-eyed cat.
The group of older students had a tour of the DOUNB library. As always, it was fascinating for kids to examine the library treasures in the books’ storage. After that they   listened to the presentation about a special guest of DOUNB library - the American astronaut Randolph Breznik, his  2017 space flight and unique gifts to the library (autographed photos, a WOA Dnipro calendar that  traveled to the Earth’s orbit). The kids particularly liked the rare photograph by Colonel Breznik – a photo of Dnipro city from outer space.
We are grateful to School’s Administration for the cooperation! See you soon - at the beginning of the academic year 2018-2019!
Number of participants – 18.

on June, 19Activate English Group at Dnipro Window on America center.
This afternoon the English learners at the WOA Dnipro’s Express English course practiced conversation about favorite books and authors in pairs. The home task was to prepare a speech about one’s work.
Number of participants – 20 persons.

on June, 20«Wednesday Movie Club» / «Кіноклуб по середах»: Legally Blonde.
The members of the “Wednesday Movie Club” at Window on America center Dnipro, Ukraine had watched a comedy film Legally Blonde.
Legally Blonde is a 2001 American comedy film based on the novel of the same name by Amanda Brown. It was directed by Robert Luketic and star Reese Witherspoon. The film tells the story of Elle Woods, a sorority girl who attempts to win back her ex-boyfriend by getting a law degree. The title is a pun on the term "legally blind".
The film received positive reviews from critics. The critics' consensus states that "though the material is predictable and formulaic, Reese Witherspoon's funny, nuanced performance makes this movie better than it would have been otherwise".
WOA’s patrons enjoyed the warm discussion followed the film watching and touched the different aspects of the film: the actors’ playing, the director’s work, the soundtracks and the lifestyles of the fiction heroes.  
Participants number – 9 person.

on June, 21Volunteering Thursday: Grasshoppers Club and Start English group.
The library is the sacred place which stands on the path of knowledge.
Volontier of Window on America Center Ganna Motorina met young and adult patrons of the library to help them to walk this path. And the process of entering English language reality started.
The schoolchildren who are members of the WOA’s “Grasshoppers” played an active games.
And the members of Start English group were also offered a great deal of valuable information and learned plenty of new useful vocabulary.
Number of participants – 8.

June, 23 – Summer Plans at WOA Dnipro.
This afternoon the Gabfest Club session was dedicated to an important summer activity – planning a vacation. We used this topic as an opportunity to introduce several global phenomena: sharing economy and its pioneer – iconic American company Airbnb.
We have introduced the most popular types of sharing (ridesharing, housing sharing, tools sharing, etc) and the global brands that are pioneers in the respective sectors.
The focus of the session was on the Airbnb. The group was offered several YouTube videos about how this sharing platform operates, how it was founded and how the owners see the future of the company.
The group was offered to suggest an unique local activity for Ukrainian Airbnb hosts. The suggested activities ranged from a gastro tour of the biggest market “Ozerka” to industrial tour of metallurgical plant and an art tour to Petrykivka village to introduce the UNESCO Heritage painting technique.
Several Club members shared their experiences of using the Airbnb to book accommodation for vacations abroad.
The Speed English activity offered the Club members the chance to discuss their dream vacations, to tell the stories of the best and the worst vacation.
Participants number – 25 persons.

on June, 25 English for beginners: Sequence of Tenses.
The  students of "Start English" group together with its instructor, "Window on America" volunteer Hanna Motorina, studied the topic " Sequence of Tenses ". It was difficult, but interesting!
Number of participants – 4 persons.

on June, 27 – «Wednesday Movie Club» / «Кіноклуб по середах»: The Emperor's New Groove.
The members of the “Wednesday Movie Club” at Window on America center Dnipro, Ukraine had watched an animated buddy comedy film.
The Emperor's New Groove is a 2000 American film created by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures. The 40th animated Disney feature film, it was directed by Mark Dindal.
The film follows an arrogant young Incan emperor named Kuzco who is transformed into a llama by his ex-advisor, Yzma. In order for the emperor to change back into a human, he trusts a village leader named Pacha who escorts him back to the palace.
WOA’s patrons enjoyed the warm discussion followed the film watching and touched the different aspects of the film: the characters’ behavior, the message conveyed by the film, the soundtracks and the lifestyles of the film heroes.  
Participants number – 7 person.

on June, 30 – Ukraine’s Constitution Day at WOA Dnipro.
The Gabfest Club (Window on America center in Dnipro, Ukraine) session was almost “full house” even on a long week-end in Ukraine. The group was offered to discuss the basic things about Ukrainian Constitution and to explain them to our foreign volunteer Mr. Eric.
The group had to remember the fun facts about the Ukrainian Constitution authored by Hetman Pylyp Orlyk. It was the first Constitution in Europe. The group was familiarized with the term “amendment” to a constitution. We have learned and translated the infographics about the amendments to the Ukrainian Constitution and compared them with 10 amendments to the US constitution.
The complicated topic was illustrated with quotes about a democratic constitution and the You Tube video about the authors of constitutions in different countries of the world. Our Australian volunteer Mr. Eric told the group about the most significant amendments to Australian Constitution.
Participants number – 21 persons.

June, 30 – Travel Story Time at WOA Dnipro.
The Gabfest Club members had a chance to have a Q&A session with our foreign volunteer about his trip to the Black Sea country – Georgia. We have learned about the popular tourist attractions of the country. The difference between the Australian beaches and Batumi beaches was striking. But the food and wine in Georgia was delicious. As always Eric demonstrates to the group the Georgian banknotes and coins.
Participants number – 21 persons.

June, 30 – Surprise Donations to WOA Dnipro.
The WOA Dnipro's foreign volunteer Mr.Eric donated several best-selling books in English. Some of them are real page-turners.
The WOA Dnipro's activist Mr. Viktor has donated an icon of Slavic Apostles Cyril and Methodius. The DOUNB Library is named after them.