Opening the Window to America

Every Sunday, I attend a literature discussion at the local library's Window on America Center. Windows on America (http://www.woa-ua.org/en/) is a program throughout Ukraine that is supported by the US Embassy. This resource center allows anyone with an interest in American culture and/or the English language to come by and attend discussions, watch movies, use computers, hear lectures, etc. Sunday night is set aside for a literature discussion that is usually moderated by David and Linda who are other Peace Corps Volunteers in Zhytomyr. But since they are away for the holiday, I was asked to stand in. Here is what we did.

I first asked the participants to read the Jamaica Kincaid poem "Girl". This is a different sort of poem in that it is a list of short commands given to a girl. We don't know who this girl is and we also do not know who is the narrator. But buried somewhere deep in the poem are two instances where the girl responds to the narrator. This is an excellent tool for language learners in that readers must work together to read and discuss the poem. Also, the sentences are very short, punctuated by semicolons so students with weaker language skills will still be able to participate. From a cultural standpoint, it allows readers to discuss things like parent-child relations, gender roles, growing up, and responsibility. When reading and discussion is complete, then the fun really begins. Today I asked the participants to work together in groups and write a similar poem called "Worker". They had to come up with ten things their bosses have said to them. They also have to respond two times like the girl in the poem. I think they did an excellent job!

Girl by Jamaica Kincaid

http://www.my-island-jamaica.com/girl_by_jamaica_kincaid.html

English Club - Part One

A Picture Tells a Thousand Stories

My primary assignment at Ivan Franko State University Zhytomyr (http://zu.edu.ua/) is to work with the Pedagogical Department to improve the training of future English teachers. I have been observing the fine teachers here at the university as well as teaching my own classes. Another part of my assignment is to organize an English Club for the students. This may sound like a fun, easy task but putting together a club in Ukraine never is simple. There are always grand plans for forming clubs that will help students improve their language skills while simultaneously having fun and breaking down cultural barriers. But after the initial burst of activity interest begins to lag. Many times students are just too busy to participate. But mainly, it is very difficult to get students to commit to planning and leading these clubs. The key is to hook students early and get them focused on making the club their own. So far, I have done a "Speed Dating" (see below) event where students were lined up across from each other and asked to discuss a simple question ("What is your favorite food?", for example). After one minute they stopped, shared out, and one side of the line moved one chair to the left. I then asked another question and each person had to speak with a new partner. This was a good way to practice fluency while allowing students to get to better know each other. 

The most recent event was structured around a Norman Rockwell Painting. (http://www.arts-wallpapers.com/galleries/norman-rockwell-paintings/imagepages/image16.htm) The students had to look at the picture and brainstorm the "What's", the "Who's", the "Where's", etc. As a class we complied a list of terms followed by the students choosing a character.  Next each student had to write down what that character was thinking. This challenged the class to think more in conversational rather than academic terms. After sharing out, students got into groups of threes, chose a different character from the picture, and wrote a fuller, more complete dialogue. Finally, they acted out the dialogue in front of the class. How did they do? See one of the performances below: 

Speed Dating

Norman Rockwell Painting

Presentations 

 

I Swear I'm Going to Join Peace Corps Again

This is a group shot after my second Swearing-In Ceremony. Many people never get to be Peace Corps Volunteers and some people get to be a PCV once. I am doubly lucky as I am now a two-time PCV and in Ukraine to boot! Thanks to all of the Peace Corps staff both in Ukraine and in Washington, DC who helped me get back here.

The second shot is of Christina Hampton and I actually saying the oath. This time I was not crossing my fingers behind my back. 

Initial Post - Giving in to Public Clamor....and Inevitable Technology

I have given in to inevitable temptation and created a blog to highlight my experiences as a Peace Corps Response Volunteer in the Ukrainian city of Zhytomyr. After ten years as an ESL teacher in the New York City school system I decided to take a leave of absence and return to Ukraine. I was a two year education volunteer in the Ukrainian city of Donetsk from 1996-1998 (Group Six). I wasn’t sure if I ever wanted to return but the pull became too great especially after the Orange Revolution in November 2004 and then the war in the East and the Euromaidan in 2014. I hope this blog will open people’s eyes to the importance of this great country as well as just learn a bit about a new culture. As per my usual preference, I will not be engaging in political discussions of any kind.

Rob