Today’s session of the Gabfest Club (at Window on America center Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine) was dedicated to the Cat Day. While in USA the day is observed in August Ukraine and other Russian-speaking countries observe it on March, 1. The group had a chance to explain to our American volunteer Mr. Jason why March is a more appropriate date for our culture. The idiom “March Tom-cat” was introduced and explained to Mr. Jason by the Club members.
The second part of the session was dedicated to the fictional cat characters. We talked about the iconic American character - Garfield the fat cat- and the history of its creation by Jim Davis. The Ukrainian fairy-tale character “Mr. Kotskiy” was introduced to Mr. Jason. The connection between cats and iconic Dnipropetrovsk painting style – Petrykivka painting – was also explained. The cat fur brushes create the signature intricate patterns in Petrykivka style flowers.
The session was enjoyed by all the participants as cats are international pets. Anyone should be able to converse about this lovely animal.
Number of participants – 43 persons.
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American Teen Club session took place at Window on America center Dnipropetrovsk today (Ukraine). The session was attended by our American volunteer Mr. Jason.
The group started the preparation to the “Games at the Library” event. They played “The Game of Unspeakable Fun” – the Taboo. “It’s what you don’t say!” is the slogan of this game.
The American Teen Club’s moderator Ania Akastiolova (FLEX Alumni) offered some vocabulary games as well to memorize popular English idioms.
As a cross cultural activity the Ukrainian teenagers introduced Mr. Jason to the iconic Soviet cartoon and explained the most famous details in English. The cartoon introduced a selfie four decades before taking selfies became an international trend among the young people.
Number of participants – 5 persons.
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The "Window on America" center resumed sessions of the "American TEEN club" where students can improve their English skills, learn more about the United States and have a nice time with friends. The session was prepared and moderated by the FLEX (Future Leaders Exchange) program graduate Anna Akastyelova who is a long time WOA’s friend and volunteer.
The focus of attention was on a range of English idioms that might be useful in communication with native speakers. The attention was drawn to the cases where English words resembled Russian words, but had totally different meaning. The group was impressed with the complicated world of set phrases and expressions that exist in English.
Number of participants – 6 persons.
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On Saturday there was a meeting of an American Teen Club held at the Dnipropetrovsk «Window on America» center, where teenagers have ability to develop their English-using skills and get to know more about the USA.
The theme was «Time: the precious», presenter – alumnae of an exchange program FLEX – Ganna Akastyelova.
The comers were introduced to some typical English idioms about time, successfully completed grammatical exercises, watched a scientific video about «Time and matter» and played game called «Statement», where they could of practice their debatable skills.
Also club-mates played the game «The Scrambled States of America», purpose of which is to check one’s knowledge about the USA geography. Each person got to find out some interesting facts about nicknames and capitals of the United States.
In the middle of the meet there was a breakthrough singing of the popular American kids’ song «If You're Happy and You Know It!» with the imitation of the dance that comes along.
At the end of the meet Ganna pointed out the upcoming celebration that is very important in American culture - Thanksgiving day and shared some interesting traditional aspects with others. Teens watched the episode called «A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving», to get the atmosphere of a celebration and figured out meanings of some unknown yet phrases and meanings.
The «time flew» for a club-mates, they absorbed some new information, extend their grammatical stock, shared the positive emotions.
During the meeting the center resources were used as well as the nicest host Svetlana helped along with all the materials: books, game, Internet.
The meeting was an educational and cultural nature.
Number of participants - 14.Have a look at more pictures, please
Today’s session of the Gabfest Club (at Window on America center Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine) was dedicated to the Cat Day. While in USA the day is observed in August Ukraine and other Russian-speaking countries observe it on March, 1. The group had a chance to explain to our American volunteer Mr. Jason why March is a more appropriate date for our culture. The idiom “March Tom-cat” was introduced and explained to Mr. Jason by the Club members. 
