Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
Rosetta Stone at Vinnytsia Information Center "Window on America"
My name is Irina Saliy. I started learning English using Rosetta Stone some months ago. I should say it is my dream to speak this foreign language fluently. I am still working twice a week. When speaking about this program, I like Core Lessons, Reading and Speaking. Writing is still difficult to me and I do some mistakes in it. This activity takes more time to do it. Nowadays I can write simple sentences. Reading helps me make my language rich turning my emotions and thoughts into a written text on a white sheet of paper. I really enjoy this idea I could express my thoughts in English. It presents me a chance to speak this language with my friends. Of course, I realize that it will take some time to be perfect in it. I am sure it will be. Yes, I can say that Rosetta Stone is a gorgeous foundation in all the weathers. And not only … It seems to me it helps other users be advanced and follow this way of learning a foreign language. Now I could say that Rosetta Stone is a perfect educational program. Use your chance and start learning English free of charge. Only find Information Center “Window on America” in our city and ask Rosetta Stone. Perhaps, your dream will also come true as my one has done.
I am very thankful that once I was proposed by workers of Information Center “Window on America” to have this unique opportunity in my life.
Photo: Iryna Saliy (left) with a representative of U.S. Embassy in Ukraine Natalia Yasko, a Deputy of a Head of Vinnytsia Regional Research Public Library named after K.A. Timiriazev Halyna Slotyuk and a staff of Information Center "Window on America" .
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Not a Window but a Gateway to America
Posted by: Heather Fabrikant, Assistant Cultural Affairs Officer
Monday morning arrived and I was thrilled to be taking a trip to visit four of the U.S. embassy’s 29 Window on America centers in Ukraine: in Vinnitsya, Khmelnitsky and Ternopil. I had never been to any of these three oblasts and was excited to see more of Ukraine. Each region of Ukraine is also like a window: shedding light into the complex and beautiful Ukrainian country and people. Our Window on America program in Ukraine is a network of centers co-located in Ukrainian libraries where Ukrainians interested in learning more about the U.S., watching American films, learning English, meeting Americans, or practicing English can come together. For a full list of the centers in Ukraine click here. The following are some of my recollections from the trip.
As we drove, our van stuffed with books, posters and DVDs to deliver to our Window on America centers, I marveled at how lucky I was to be living in Ukraine and doing such exciting work. On our way to Vinnitsya we passed the beautiful Teteriv River, strewn with dachas, and dotted with yellow sunflowers reaching the horizon. I thought of the sunflower oil made from these golden medallions and sold at outdoor markets. I escaped into the mossy, hanging trees, verdant from the frequent summer rain. I saw babushkas on bicycles overloaded with their bounty. Motorcycles and truckers alike braved the bumpy roads. Cows grazed next to the highway and horses galloped through soccer fields. Tractors wove in and out of the road and ancient trucks emblazoned with “milk” or images of bread flew by. The smell of burning grass wafted into the car and a tile mosaic sign indicated we had entered the Vinnitsya oblast.
“Not a Window but a Gateway to America”
At the Window on America center in Khmelnitsky, with the Library director and Window head – soon to be opened
Our first visit was to a Democracy Commission Grantee, Podolian Agency for Regional Development (PARD) to discuss their new grant promoting eco-friendly education and development through their “Green School” project. While there, we also met with Peace Corps Volunteer Michael Dixon, an architect who, though recently arrived, has already produced some incredible draft sketches for a local open air museum.
Next, we walked a couple of doors down to the Window on America in Vinnitsya, where I gave a presentation on Education Programs supported by the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv. A packed room of over 50 interested Ukrainians, including alumni of our FLEX and Summer Work and Travel programs, listened to the presentation, asked questions and shared their own experiences. I showed them the iPad 2 and the Kindle eReader that we will donate to each Window next month at our annual conference, which will be held this time alongside the popular annual Lviv Book Forum.
Many teachers were interested in the TEA program, and students were interested in learning more about how they could apply to U.S. universities, through the Fulbright and Muskie programs run by IREX. I recommended they touch base with our Education Advising Center in Kyiv to talk with an EducationUSA advisor who they could contact here. I also mentioned the wealth of scholarships for Ukrainians at U.S. Universities and special Opportunity Grants that could help them with applications, visa fees, and standardized testing fees. In closing, one ardent English club participant said he thought of the center not as simply a Window, but as a “gateway to America.”
We were finally done with our marathon two day trip through four Ukrainian Oblasts and to four Window on America Centers! On our way back we stopped in at the historic and majestic Pochaiv Lavra: what an amazing work of artistry and spirit.
This trip opened my eyes to more of the wonders of Ukraine and also showcased the incredible work our Window on America centers are doing throughout Ukraine!
Stay tuned for the official openings of our Window centers in Khmelnitsky and Kerch in the next months.
Read in Ukrainian:
http://usembassykyivukr.wordpress.com/2011/08/15/%D1%86%D0%B5-%D0%B2%D0%B6%D0%B5-%D0%BD%D0%B5-%D0%B2%D1%96%D0%BA%D0%BD%D0%BE-%D0%B0-%D0%B2%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%B0-%D0%B2-%D0%B0%D0%BC%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%BA%D1%83/
Read in Ukrainian:
http://usembassykyivukr.wordpress.com/2011/08/15/%D1%86%D0%B5-%D0%B2%D0%B6%D0%B5-%D0%BD%D0%B5-%D0%B2%D1%96%D0%BA%D0%BD%D0%BE-%D0%B0-%D0%B2%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%B0-%D0%B2-%D0%B0%D0%BC%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%BA%D1%83/
Presentation ‘TWO CAMBRIDGES’
Have you ever heard about two Cambridges? I have not heard about it before. But today's presentation (a leader of this club-run discussion is Alex - Oleksii Riabokon) helps me realize some points on it. The British Cambridge and the American one have been chosen as a topic of a presentation, an entertaing discussion and a not-easy-to do quiz (of course, with special prizes from a leader of this cognitive activity). I wish you were one of the participants of it. In this case you had a golden opportunity to get to know more on a historical background, a current situation and prominent people of two Cambridges. Anyway, you have this chance. Simply READ MORE!
AGENDA
True or False
Section I. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
1. The British Cambridge is younger than the American one.
2. Duroliponte was the first name of the American Cambridge.
3. The British Cambridge was founded by 700 Puritan colonists.
4. The founders of the American Cambridge were the Romans.
5. The British Cambridge was originally an agricultural village.
6. Harvard University was founded in 1209.7. The oldest still existing college of the British Cambridge University was founded in 1284.
8. The American Cambridge was incorporated as a city in 1846.
9. During World War II the British Cambridge served as an evacuation centre for over 7,000 people from London.
10. For many years, the largest employer of the American Cambridge was the New England Glass Company.
11. During World War II the American Cambridge became a Royal Air Forces training centre.
Section II. CURRENT SITUATION
1.The population of the American Cambridge is larger than that of the British one.
2. The British Cambridge is at the heart of the high technology called Silicon Fen.
3.The American Cambridge is in the state of New York.
4. Harward University is in the American Cambridge.
5. Anglia Ruskin University is in the British Cambridge.
6. The American Cambridge is sometimes called the "City of Squares".
7. The British Cambridge played a unique role in the invention of modern ice hockey.
8. Massachusetts Institute of Technology is in the British Cambridge.
9. Addenbrookes is a learning and teaching hospital, one of the largest in the USA, and functions as a centre for medical research
10. The British Cambridge was home to Polaroid.
11. Mathematical Bridge connects Queen’s college with the President's Lodge in the American Cambridge.
12. The American Cambridge is served by the weekly newspaper the Cambridge Chronicle.
Section III. PROMINENT PEOPLE
1. Pink Floyd -are the most notable band from the British Cambridge.
2. James Watt attended the University of Cambridge in the UK.
3. Henry Kissinger attended Harvard University
4. Queen Margarethe of Denmark studied at the University of Cambridge, the UK.
5. Barack Obama studied politics at Harvard Univerrsity.
6. Prince Charles studied at St. John’s College in the British Cambridge.7. David Rockfeller studied business at Harvard.
8. David John Gilmour was born in the American Cambridge.
9. Isaac Newton represented Cambridge in the English Parliament.
10. The formerUN SECRETARY GENERAL Koffi Anan graduated from Harvard.
11. Charles Darwin graduated from Christ’s College, the UK.
12. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, studied at the University of Cambridge, the UK.
READ MORE:
Cambridge 25-2 TWO CAMBRIDGES – ANSWERS AND COMMENTS
Thursday, August 25, 2011
A Discussion "Body Language"
On 25 August 2011 Vinnytsia English Club chose a topic of its discussion "Body Language/ Gestures". The participants of this activity discussed how important body language is in everyday interactions and for basic communications. Most of them explained how they used body language. The most interesting points in this discussion were about differences in appropriate body language at school or work as opposed to at home or with friends or differences between genders, age groups, or even those from other countries. The leader of this club-run meeting proposed some other questions for discussion: How do you interpret smiling? Are there people who smile too much or too little? How does this body language affect you in turn? How importnat is eye contact in daily interactions? Do you always make eye contact with those you are speaking to at a givem moment? What is the difference between making eye contact and staring? What is your opinion about shaking hands? Are there social rules ragarding when or with whom you can shake hands in a given situation?
The most entertaining was showing of various gestures and explanation of their practical usage in our usual life by a leader of this discussion Mila Hooten.
Body language is an important part of communication which can constitute 50% or more of what we are communicating. If you wish to communicate well, then it makes sense to understand how you can (and cannot) use your body to say what you mean. Body language comes in clusters of signals and postures, depending on the internal emotions and mental states. Recognizing a whole cluster is thus far more reliable than trying to interpret individual elements. Remember that body language varies greatly with people and especially with international cultures (so be very careful when applying Western understanding to Eastern non-verbal language).
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
UKRAINE'S NATIONAL DAY!
Statement by Secretary Clinton: Ukraine's National Day
August 23, 2011
Ukraine’s National Day
On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I am delighted to congratulate the people of Ukraine as you celebrate the 20th anniversary of your independence this August 24.
Twenty years ago, Ukraine emerged from the shadow of the Soviet Union and charted a new path toward democracy and freedom. Over the last two decades, you have made democratic advances and important contributions to global peace and stability.Supporting and sustaining democracy is never easy. It takes hard work and there are roadblocks along the way, but the people of Ukraine have made it clear that they are yearning for greater democratic systems and freedoms.
More than 200 years after the framers of our own Constitution wrote of our desire for a “more perfect union,” we are still working towards that goal and I urge you to continue to do the same.
The United States remains committed to helping Ukraine as a partner and friend as you look for ways to promote democratic institutions, encourage greater prosperity, and pursue European integration. Through our Strategic Partnership, we will continue to work together on a range of important issues that strengthen not only our government-to-government relations, but also the ties between our peoples.
Once again, congratulations on this important milestone and best wishes for a year of peace and prosperity.
http://ukraine.usembassy.gov/clinton_ukraine2.html
Визначено переможців фотоконкурсу «20 років незалежності України»!
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Scary Moments/Risks
Fun Fact of the Day: "The first gold rush in the United States happened in Dahlonega, Georgia, 1828" (http://www.stephencarr.com/facts.html).
Topic: Scary Moments, Fears and Risk Taking
1. How would you define a "scary moment"? What is the difference between a "scary moment" and a "fear"?
2. Describe a scary moment that has happened to you in the past. How did you handle this situation? If you were confronted with the same situation in the future, would you act differently? What was the scariest moment of your life?
3. What is one of your biggest fears? Are you afraid of something physical like heights or maybe some kind of animal? Are you afraid of something like public speaking or presentations? How have you conquered your biggest fears?
4. Why do people have fears? Are there advantages to having these fears? Are fears always grounded? Would you like to get rid of your fears or phobias?
5. When is it good to take risks? When is it a bad idea to be risky? Is there such a thing as being too risky?
6. What are you ready to do in a dangerous situation? Do you regret that you were ever involved in some dangerous activity that could harm your health?
7. Extreme sports are often seen as risky. Are you afraid of extreme sports or do you like to take risks by doing something like bungee jumping or skydiving?
1. How would you define a "scary moment"? What is the difference between a "scary moment" and a "fear"?
2. Describe a scary moment that has happened to you in the past. How did you handle this situation? If you were confronted with the same situation in the future, would you act differently? What was the scariest moment of your life?
3. What is one of your biggest fears? Are you afraid of something physical like heights or maybe some kind of animal? Are you afraid of something like public speaking or presentations? How have you conquered your biggest fears?4. Why do people have fears? Are there advantages to having these fears? Are fears always grounded? Would you like to get rid of your fears or phobias?
5. When is it good to take risks? When is it a bad idea to be risky? Is there such a thing as being too risky?
6. What are you ready to do in a dangerous situation? Do you regret that you were ever involved in some dangerous activity that could harm your health?
7. Extreme sports are often seen as risky. Are you afraid of extreme sports or do you like to take risks by doing something like bungee jumping or skydiving?
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
"All you need is love"
Fun Fact of the Day: Colorado is the only U.S. state to have turned down hosting the Olympics. The 1976 Winter Olympics were supposed to be held in Denver, but because of protests they were moved elsewhere (http:// www.50states.com/facts/colorado.htm).
Topic: "All you need is love."
1. What is a social system? How is it different than other government structures?
2. What do you know about social protection in the U.S., such as welfare? Is this a good program? Do you think that there should be systems of social protection in a place?
3. How important is good health and health care? What is a good system of health care? How is it in Ukraine compared to what you know about the U.S. or other countries like France and England?
4. Would you prefer to attend private hospitals and dentists or state ones? What are the pros and cons of each? Do you think it is important to have insurance? How does insurance change health care and a person's state of health in general?
5. What do you think about recent events in England relating to social systems? Why do you think these riots really happened? What are your impressions of the riots as they followed a fatal police shooting? Did they form as a discrepancy between generations, such as the youth and older individuals? Do they have to do with money?
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Feelings/Emotions
Fun Fact of the Day: The largest city in the U.S. is Juneau, Alaska. At 3,000 square mi, it is bigger than the entire state of Delaware (http://www.stephencarr.com/facts.html).
Topic:
1. What do you think of the phrase to "wear your heart on your sleeve"? What does this saying mean to you? Do you "wear your heart on your sleeve"? Why or why not?* This phrase is said to have originated in the Medieval Era when Knights wore handkerchiefs from the women they loved on their sleeves.
2. Do you think that it is important to hide or show your emotions? Do you think it is a problem if people can tell or guess how you feel? How do hidden feelings affect you? Do you ever find yourself fighting your emotions or do you embrace your feelings and express them?
3. Is there difference in your emotions with friends and family as opposed to at work? Should you always hide your emotions at work, regardless of whether you are frustrated or disappointed with something or is there a proper way to express how you feel?4. Does displaying emotions, either positive or negative, affect your relationships with others or cause them to change their opinions about you? Do you think that emotions have anything to do with people's perceptions of you at all? Can they cause people to respect you more or less? Are they important in connecting with others or do they get in the way?
5. If you have negative feelings toward someone, whether an acquaintance or a co¬worker, how should you deal with these emotions? Should you ever display your negative feelings or should you always conceal them in public? Is there a good way to express negative feelings in a constructive way? How important are positive thoughts compared to negative ones?6. Is there such a thing as being too sensitive or too emotional? When does it become a problem to show emotion? Is it possible to take someone's feelings from granted?
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
The school year is fast approaching! Vinnytsia English Club About Education
Fun Fact about America: As of August 2011, the U.S. has about 311,000,000 people. Only 604,000 live in Washington, D.C. Relatively small capital!
Education
1. The school year is fast approaching! Last class we talked about memories. What was your favorite time in school? Did you have a favorite year in school? Why?
2. How important is doing well in school for your current or future careers? Do you think international studies are important? Why or why not?
3. Do you think it is essential to get a degree after secondary school? Why or why
not?
4. What is the most important thing you ever learned in school? If you could change your past experiences in school, what would you change? Would you study more or less? Would you try to study abroad?
5. If you could go to school anywhere in the world, where would you go? What would you study?
Next class: Saturday 13 August at 10:30!
Monday, August 8, 2011
Конкурс на участь в дистанційному курсі для викладачів англійської мови
Конкурс на участь в дистанційному курсі для викладачів англійської, які працюють зі студентами з вадами слуху, зору тощо. Цей безкоштовний 10-тижневий курс проводитиметься американським університетом в штаті Oregon. Детальну інформацію про курс “Special Education in TEFL” можна знайти на сайті Посольства: http://ukraine.usembassy.gov/relo.html, а також:
Alyona Sukhinina
RELO Assistant
U.S. Embassy, Kyiv
Tel: 380-44-490-4145
Fax: 380-44-490-4050
Cell: 380-50-330-1502
E-mail: SukhininaAV@state.gov
Website: http://ukraine.usembassy.gov/relo_eng.html
Facebook: www.facebook.com/usdos.ukraine
A Presentation on "Exchange Programs"
Opportunity Program (Belarus, Russia and Ukraine)
2010-2011
www.EducationUSA.state.gov
Welcome To EducationUSA
Quality:
U.S. colleges are known worldwide for the quality of their facilities, resources, and faculty. Accreditation systems ensure that institutions continue to maintain these standards.
Choice:
The U.S. education system features many types of institutions, academic and social environments, entry requirements, degree programs, and subjects in which you can specialize.
Value:
A U.S. degree offers excellent value for the money. A wide range of tuition fees and living costs, plus some financial help from colleges, make study in the United States affordable for hundreds of thousands of international students each year.
Flexibility:
U.S. universities and colleges offer flexibility in choice of courses, but more importantly there is also the option for students to move from institution to another. Completing the first two years of a degree at one institution, usually a community college, and then moving to another, is very common.
"One year in the U.S. opened a new world of opportunities, which enabled me to grow personally and professionally. I chose to study in the U.S. because of the enormous opportunities that are available for people seeking personal and professional growth."
– Rustem, from Kazakhstan
Yasko Natalia – Information Resource Center Assistant
PC Volunteers in Vinnytsia
A Presentation "Exchange Programs"
At the Information Center "Window on America"
(Heather Fabricant with co-workers of the Center)
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Submit a photo that shows your pride about independent Ukraine
Beautiful, unusual, symbolic, or any other idea that shows your pride about independent Ukraine
Prizes
Merriam-Webster Illustrated Children's Dictionary
Two Embassy Coffee Cups
Rules
1. Open to people living in Ukraine, age 18 and older
2. Only one photo can be submitted by each person
3. Dates for submission are August 5 to August 19
4. Winners selected by the number of Facebook "Likes" through August 21
5. Employees of the United States Government and their families are not eligible to participate in this contest.
6. Entries must be submitted by the original photographer. Do not submit a photo taken by someone other than yourself. You must be the sole owner of the copyright of any image submitted. Your submission of the photo is your guarantee that you are the author and copyright holder of the photo.
7. Photos must be appropriate for posting on a public government website. Obscene, provocative or otherwise questionable content will not be considered. U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine retains sole discretion as to what constitutes inappropriate content.
8. Three prizes will be awarded based on top three numbers of likes
9. First Prize: iPad2
10. Second Prize: Merriam-Webster Illustrated Children's Dictionary
11. Third Prize: Two Embassy Coffee Cups
http://www.facebook.com/usdos.ukraine
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Discussion Topic: What would you do?
Task with PartnersRank the interesting World city to visit (1-8):
Sydney: Tokyo: Rio de Janeiro: Vancouver:
New York: Cape Town: Beijing: Cairo:
Discussion Topic:
What would you do?
What would you do?
When is it okay to tell on someone else? Is it ever okay to talk to the police about what someone else does?
1. You knew that your colleague was stealing from your company.
2. You found out that your neighbors were doing some illegal activity from their home.
3. You learned that your neighbor was committing a crime, and this crime put a child in danger.
4. Imagine you were working in a different country, and there you learned that people from your country were committing a crime and embarrassing your nation.
Group Contest
Announcements
Our Schedule
Saturday, August 6 – 1030 Library
Wednesday, August 10 – 1730 –Library
Visit Our Group on www.Facebook.com – English Club in Vinnytsia
English Club Blog - www.woavinnitsa.blogspot.com
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
First Annual Investigative Journalism Competition
The Embassy of the United States of America and Ukrainska Pravda are excited to announce the first annual Investigative Journalism Competition for young journalists, journalism students, and others who are interested in or have already begun a career in journalism. The competition is addressed to young people between 18-25 years old. Contestants may pick their own topics, in which they exhibit their skills as investigative reporters. Reports must be no longer than 5 pages. The first prize winner and two runners up will be announced during the 2011 Global Investigative Journalism Conference, which will be held in Kyiv October 13-16.
Entries must be submitted via the website http://konkurs.pravda.com.ua/ by September 22. Entrants will be able to update their own submission at any time prior to the deadline. A jury selected from among editors, senior journalists, media experts and watchdogs, media lawyers, and government spokesmen will rate the submissions by the end of September. Entries will be judged primarily on quality of writing, newsworthiness, and excellence of investigative skills. Winners must be deemed fit for publication, including accuracy and the ability to substantiate claims made. Final selection of the top three winners will be made by the U.S. Embassy, in consultation with Ukrainska Pravda and guided by the jury's evaluation.
The first prize winner will be sent on a short journalism training and familiarization program to Washington, DC, and New York City (the winner must qualify for a visa to take the trip). The first runner up will receive an Apple iPad and a Canon digital SLR camera. The second runner up will receive an Apple iPad. All three will have their winning entry published on the Ukrainska Pravda website and featured on the U.S. Embassy website and Facebook page. They will also be offered the chance to have an internship with Ukrainska Pravda.
The competition is open to original, unpublished reports, as well as current, previously-published reports written in 2011, provided that Ukrainska Pravda and the U.S. Embassy receive rights from the copyright holder to publish them without cost. Ukrainska Pravda reserves the right to publish other entries in the competition besides the three winners.
Public Affairs Section
United States Embassy Kyiv
4 Hlybochytska St.
Kyiv 04050 Ukraine
(380 44) 490-4026, 490-4090
Fax (380 44) 490-4050
http://ukraine.usembassy.gov/
kyivpress@state.gov
Public Affairs Section
United States Embassy Kyiv
4 Hlybochytska St.
Kyiv 04050 Ukraine
(380 44) 490-4026, 490-4090
Fax (380 44) 490-4050
http://ukraine.usembassy.gov/
kyivpress@state.gov
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
This Day in Vinnytsia Information Center's Life
Practicing English
Choosing Books For Summer Reading!
Olha Svirgun
with her presentation on Center's Services
with her presentation on Center's Services
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