Today’s session of the «Gabfest» Club (at Window on America center Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine) was dedicated to the observance of the “World Women’s Day” in different countries.
The Club had an influx of newcomers and we allowed them to break ice by introducing themselves to the regular club members. The newcomers were pleasantly surprised to meet Club’s native-speaking US volunteer Mr. Jason.
We started the conversation with description of the iconic American poster “We Can do it”. The club members explained why the poster was associated in their minds with American women. Our American volunteer was interested in the Ukrainian images associated with the Women’s Day. The task for the club members was to describe and to explain the images from the Women’s Day postcards issued some fifty years ago in our country. The cross-cultural differences are quite substantial. The group had to explain to the foreign guest certain phenomena that they took for granted. And the task turned out to be very challenging. All the participants of the conversation realized that translation of inscriptions on old postcards was even more challenging.
The club members learned how to define cultural phenomena or describe them with limited vocabulary.
Number of participants – 34 persons.
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Within the framework of the educational project #УкраїнаSpeaking DOUNB Library and "Window on America" Center were presented to new comers.
Members of new Activate English Club learned about the modern library service which operates 24 hours 7 days a week through its website and online catalog. Head of the "Window on America" center Svetlana Usenko told the members of Activate English Club about the planned activities to observe the "Year of English in Ukraine" and УкраїнаSpeaking project that will help all who wish to improve their knowledge of English.
Library members were acquainted with the WOA Center’s book collection and learned about the opportunity to use its free resources for learning English: attending Movie club and English-speaking club, access to e-LibraryUSA, the vocabulary board games. The students watched a slide show that highlighted on-line resources such as УкраїнаSpeaking, American English, Voice of America, SHAREAMERICA, English is fun and others.
In the second part of the meeting the participants were offered a funny activity – “Speed English” conversation. This form of training is recommended to practice students’ speaking skills. The members of the group had conversations in pairs with several counterparts by changing their seats in the room. The conversations lasted only few minutes (speedy), but with several different people in a row. This activity enables the learners of English to practice the same material several times.
In a short time the question was changed and the procedure of changing counterparts was repeated.
The rotation of questions and participants was organized by the librarian. She prepared a slide-show with questions that helped to have a conversation with the topic “Meeting New People."
Number of participants – 34 persons.
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This afternoon the inaugural session of the Basic English Group took place at the DOUNB Library in Window on America Dnipropetrovsk (Ukraine).
The Group was founded as a training site for people who never studied English or for those who need to return to the basics of the language.
The English alphabet was introduced to the group and the pronunciation of the English vowels. As an illustration several YouTube videos were demonstrated to introduce the native-speaking pronunciation and its peculiarities. The group was familiarized with the basic reading rules for vowels.
The sessions of the Express-English Basic Group started used the premises of the WOA Center and its technical resources – the multimedia equipment and internet connection.
To practice reading we used the WOA’s table game “BOGGLE” which introduced new vocabulary and spelling of the one syllable words.
All the participants found the session educational and helpful.
Number of participants – 14 persons.
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“Wednesday Movie Club” at Window on America center Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine.
The film The Heartbreak Kid (2007) was presented to all who wish to improve their language skills with staring Ben Stiller, Michelle Monaghan, Malin Akerman.
The Heartbreak Kid is a 2007 romantic comedy film directed by the Farrelly brothers. Starring Ben Stiller, it is a remake of the 1972 film of the same name. The film was originally titled The Seven Day Itch, but Peter Farrelly revealed the filmmakers lost a lawsuit over the name; after attempts to find another title and suggestions of several other possible titles, the studio foisted The Heartbreak Kid name onto them. Also starring are Michelle Monaghan, Malin Åkerman, Jerry Stiller, Rob Corddry, Carlos Mencia, Scott Wilson and Danny McBride. The screenplay for the 2007 film was written by Leslie Dixon, Scot Armstrong, the Farrelly brothers and Kevin Barnett.
Plot: A newly wed man who believes he's just gotten hitched to the perfect woman encounters another lady on his honeymoon..
WOA’s patrons enjoyed the film and the discussion that followed.
Number of participants – 15.
#TheHeartbreakKid
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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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Window on America (#Dnipropetrovsk, #Ukraine) had a spring surprise from the American colleague – a parcel with wonderful books and newspapers.
Ms. Marina is a Ukrainian American working at one of #Stanford University Libraries. She and WOA (Dnipropetrovsk) staff member Ms. Tamara are alumni of Dnipropetrovsk National University's English Language department.
Ms. Marina was a facilitator in the process of books donation by Stanford University Libraries to a worthy donor. Today WOA Dnipropetrovsk has received the first parcel with #books. The highlight of the parcel with great books was fresh issues of "The New Yorker" and "The New York Times".more pictures here
Window on America center Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine offered screening of the sci-fi dramedy film The Stepford Wives (2004) with Nicole Kidman, Bette Midler, Matthew Broderick starring to all who wish to improve their language skills.
The Stepford Wives is a 2004 American sci-fi dramedy film. It was directed by Frank Oz from a screenplay by Paul Rudnick and stars Nicole Kidman, Matthew Broderick, Bette Midler, Christopher Walken, Faith Hill and Glenn Close. The film is a remake of the 1975 film of the same name; both films are based on the Ira Levin novel The Stepford Wives.
While the original book and film had tremendous cultural impact, the remake was marked by infighting behind the scenes, poor reviews by many critics, and a financial loss of approximately $40 million at the box office. The film was also heavily reworked in editing and many blame that for the film's failure.
WOA’s patrons enjoyed the film and the discussion that followed.
Number of participants – 11 persons.
March is Women's History Month in the USA.
“Year of English in Ukraine” events continue: Spring in the United States.
The "Window on America" center presents to the patrons a book- and- image display "Spring in the United States" to observe the Women's History Month in the US and International Women's Day in Ukraine.
The exhibition introduces to the visitors outstanding women who contributed to the political, cultural and sport history of America. Among them - the First Ladies of the United States, the fighters for women's rights and the abolition of slavery; women-writers and poets, journalists , doctors, athletes, teachers, musicians, representatives of ethnic minorities and simply beautiful women. Women's portraits are displayed next to the images of the US spring nature. The landscapes of national parks and mountain valleys in bloom fascinate the viewers.
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