Enhanced English

Happy New Year and Merry Christmas

2012-01-01T13:34:00.000-08:00

Among all the best wishes for the coming year 2012, I'd like to emphasize the wish not to be affected by the historic turmoil, which seems to be on its way. May the changes that the Black Water Dragon of the Chinese calendar be merciful to you.

English Literature: next part

2011-12-07T15:11:00.000-08:00

Another work I have been busy with recently. I have been arranging the continuation of the Enlish Literature course. This portion includes Shakespeare's dramas, Daniel Defoe with his Robinson Crusoe, and Jonathan Swift (aleady published, but now the material is integrated into a bigger project). Read, learn, enjoy. Just click HERE .

Teachers' Day-2011 Publication

2011-12-04T14:19:00.000-08:00

I hope all my co-workers had a Happy Teachers' Day. I am sorry for not publishing for a long time, but I was busy doing really weird and exhaustingly fruitless paperwork. I spent 3,900 minutes (65 hours!) of my precious non-teaching time to prepare the THIRD version of my calendar lesson plans. I had developed a most disgusting allergy to the keyboard, which I seem to have overcome only by now. My attitude to the authorities ranking higher than the school inventing new, improved and updated papers will not be revealed here as some students happen to read my publications, and they don't seem to be ready for the real depth and richness of my vocabulary which is due to be used to describe my vision of the situation.

However, life and teaching are on their way (I hope accompanied by some learning). It means that the tradition of writing My Favorite Teacher compositions by the students of the 3rd course (10th-graders) and publishing them in the HYDE PARK has not been forgotten. You may read them HERE .

English and American Literature-4

2011-08-15T02:31:00.000-07:00

And finally, I am happy to present to you the last portion of Group 34-H students' projects on English and American Literature. They are:

Agatha Christie by BOHDANA NEDAVNYA CLICK HERE .
Clive Lewis by ANASTASIA YABLONSKA CLICK HERE .
Eoin Colfer by YULIA YERESCHENKO CLICK HERE .

English and American Literature-3

2011-08-12T03:12:00.000-07:00

I proudly present the third portion of Group 34-H students' projects on Literature. Here we go:

Ray Bradbury's biography presented by Vadym Gromadskyi is found HERE .
Daniel Defoe's biography presented by Oksana Marynenko is found HERE .
Robert Louis Stevenson's biography presented by Kateryna Tarakhtiy is found HERE .

English and American Literature Projects-2

2011-08-11T04:11:00.000-07:00

Back to school Mr.Z!
I am quite glad to be able to publish the second portion of presentations prepared by the students of Group 34-H. Better late than never. I do my best to keep my word.

Here's ANNA SLOBODYANUK'S presentation of Jack London, outstanding American author. Click HERE .

TETYANA PAKHOLOK presents her work on Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle and his two most famous characters HERE .

To see ILONA CHAIKOVSKA'S presentation of Mark Twain's biography click HERE .

English and American Literature Projects-1

2011-05-26T15:05:00.000-07:00

I am quite glad to be able to publish the first portion of presentations prepared by the students of Group 34-H. Each of them speaks about an English or American writer and is very close to a masterpiece. However, I have a feeling that the coolest part of the project was to TEACH the classmates something working in the teachers capacity ("wearing the teacher's shoes").

Semen KYSELYOV presents the biography and literary activities of
Sir Rudyard Kipling

Yaroslav PANNOCHKA presents the biography and literary activities of
Hebert Wells

Alina PTUSHKINA presents the biography and literary activities of William Golding
There will be more. To be continued...

Summer Camp!

2011-04-11T14:46:00.000-07:00

This summer Argo Camp Programme is going to join the friendly environment of Camp Leader in Puscha-Vodytsya. I am going to be in charge.
Welcome to the New Summer-2011 World!
English Camp for kids in Puscha-Vodytsya!
Argo Camp Program & Camp Leader Joint Venture
Адреса: Київ, вул. Юнкерова 16, на базі дитячого оздоровчого табору «Лідер» (Пуща-Водиця, 3-я лінія)
Зміна 14 днів
Для дітей від 7 до 16 років

Зміна Назва зміни Арго заїзд від’їзд
1 Галактика Арго/ Argo Galaxy 01.06 14.06
2 Академія виживання Арго/ Argo Survival Academy 17.06 30.06
3 Місто Майстрів Арго/Argoburgh’s Craftsmen 03.07 16.07
4 Арго в Авалоні/Argo in Avalon 19.07 01.08
5 Арго-Фестивальний/ Argo-All Stars 04.08 17.08

Умови проживання: номера на 2 чол. або 2-кімнатний блок на 4 чол. (2+2) з душем та туалетом; 5-ти разове харчування, щоденне плавання в закритому 25-м басейні, танцювальний зал, навчальні приміщення, спортивні майданчики, досвічені та уважні педагоги і тренери.

Тематичну проектну роботу по вивченню англійської мови з відео майстернями ведуть найкращі викладачі Києва за унікальними авторськими методичними розробками. Робоча мова для старшої та середньої груп –англійська.

Незалежно від тематики зміни юних Аргонавтів очікують: ранкова зарядка, традиційні конкурси «Містер/Міс Арго», гра «Побачення наосліп», конкурси талантів, Малі Олимпійські Ігри, КВК, квест-гра на місцевості «Пошук скарбів», підсумковий гала-концерт, чимало танців та кіно…

Вартість путівки на 14 днів: 3900(!!!) грн.
У вартість включені:
• проживання,
• харчування,
• програми розвитку особистості дитини,
• освітні проекти,
• спортивні та шоу програми.

Необхідні документи:
• Копія свідоцтва про народження;
• Медична довідка про санепідоточення;
• Довідка про щеплення.

Табір «Арго» допоможе хлопцям та дівчатам розкрити власні таланти й проявити їх!
Час не буде згаяно!
НАШІ КОНТАКТИ:
телефон: 8 (044) 227-34-57
(044) 221-70-53
факс: (044) 278-02-31

Туроператор «Імпульс-Плюс»
Директор табору: Заболотний Олексій Олександрович, тел. 063 647 90 12, каб. 214-С

April Fools' Day!!!

2011-03-31T14:47:00.000-07:00

This year Group 34-H contributed their hilarious jokes to the Hyde Park Collection of Humour. Thank you, guys. You can help yourself to some laughter by clicking HERE .

English Project in Argo Camp

2011-03-31T13:41:00.000-07:00

From March 20 to March 26 I was in charge of Argo Camp Programme in Camp Leader (Puscha-Vodytsya). The whole period was a kind of a demo version of our capabilities. We had a lot of Artistic Studios, a couple of PDP (Personality Development Programme)sessions, loads of dancing and three sessions of English Project. My part of it with more mature campers was devoted to creative writing. We took the good old OUP Project English-2 by venerable Tom Hutchinson with the comic strip about a spaceship's crew finding themselves on a mysterious planet, which is a sort of an Intergalactic Zoo. The crew appear to be just another exhibit there. So, the task was to create continuation of the story in the form of a comic strip. Three days proved not to be enough for completing the whole project, but the beginning looks quite promising.

The authors: Anna Tisnoguz, Sophia Padalko and Maria Samovol, with creative participation of Dmytro Klymenko, Artem Bondur, Artem Drozdov, Mykyta Solodkyi and Mykhailo Kaplun.

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Yet again.

2011-03-18T06:28:00.000-07:00

The St. Patrick's Day custom came to America in 1737. That was the first year St. Patrick's Day was publicly celebrated in this country, in Boston.

Today, people celebrate the day with parades, wearing of the green, and drinking beer. One reason St. Patrick's Day might have become so popular is that it takes place just a few days before the first day of spring. One might say it has become the first green of spring. In Chicago, for example, they paint their river green!

And this is the way it is celebrated in Ireland. You can watch some Balcony TV HERE.

English Literature Project

2011-03-12T06:13:00.000-08:00

The time has come for the students of Group 34-H to finalize their English Literature projects. You should choose your favorite English author and his/her book. Then - tell the audience about the author's biography and about the book (the plot, main character(s) and messages). The actual time of speaking: 10 - 15 min followed by 5 - 10 min of comprehension questions (comprehension control tasks) and discussion. The project material is to be prepared in the form of a Powerpoint Presentation (to illustrate your lecture) and a Microsoft Word Document for handouts.

You can find the sample presentation of Jonathan Swift (my favorite author) HERE . Of course, your presentations do not have to be THAT BIG - 12 - 15 slides will be enough. As to the text document, you can see the sample HERE . In your case, make it 2 - 3 pages with illustrations. Your projects are to be READY by March 19. Good luck!

International Women's Day

2011-03-07T11:02:00.000-08:00

Happy 8th of March, dear ladies!
Thank you for enabling us, men, to prove being not just men but gentleMEN. And may every day of your life you feel as special as on the 8th of March.

English Literature Course

2011-03-06T13:54:00.000-08:00

In early September last year I was assigned to teach Group 34-H ("H" stands for "Humanities") a course of English Literature. I was teaching some in Consul Gymnasium, and in Intellect Lycee. However, when I first tried to teach it in Naukova Zmina four years ago, I found the available coursebooks not meeting the needs of our curriculum being either too shallow, too huge or not systematized. That is why I decided to create a sort of a coursebook myself compiling it from a number of sources and calling it A Glimpse of English Literature. You can get your own copy of its Part 1 by clicking HERE .

The general course plan is the following:
1. Teach Old English Literature from Celtic Sagas to Chaucer (see Part 1).
2. Teach Elizabethan Literature focusing on Marlowe and Shakespeare.
3. Present Jonathan Swift and his Gulliver's Travels in a format of a lecture with a Powerpoint Presentation thus setting an example for the students how to do THEIR projects.
4. Have the students present their projects on their favourite authors.

I hope we'll manage to complete it before the academic year ends.

Queen Mary University of London

2011-03-05T14:12:00.000-08:00

On the first spring day (March 1, 2011), the Lycee was visited by Dr Stuart Perrin, Deputy Director, Language and learning Unit of Queen Mary University of London, UK, accompanied by Yulia Dmytryshyn, Program manager from DEC-Education, Kyiv.
Dr Perrin made a lively presentation of his university for the audience consisting of our students from Groups 22-E, 42-E and 43-E. Our students demonstrated impressive abilities not only to understand the presenter, but also to maintain dialogue. Dr Perrin liked the questions they asked, and eagerly answered them. Our guys were interested in the contents of studying at different faculties, the possibility to obtain a part-time job in London, details of accommodation, visa matters etc. In the final part of the meeting Ms Dmytryshyn checked if the audience has understood the presentation by asking a number of questions. The correct answers won our students some cute prizes including baseball caps, mugs, bags and badges. The most active participants were Vlad Chykivchuk, Sasha Barchuk, Vlad Kuzmenko, Ulyana Tkachenko, Artem Rudnytsky, Yaroslava Martsenyuk, Kate Martynyuk, Ivan Batrak (all of Group 42-E); Oleksandr Sikorsky and Ann Atamas (both of Group 43-E).

You can view the actual presentation HERE .
For further details contact Yulia Dmytryshyn at www.dec-edu.com

Happy St. Valentine's Day!

2011-02-13T14:42:00.000-08:00

On this sweet holiday of love enjoy a smile or two from the leading cartoonists:

Good Results

2011-02-13T14:22:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, February 12, I was a member of the Mala Akademiya Nauk (Junior Academy of Science, hence "MAN") jury. I listened to 24 9th-grade students from a number of prominent Kyiv schools who were orally presenting their research papers investigating different aspects of the English Language. Here are my conclusions:

1. None of the schools sent as many young researchers as Naukova Zmina (13!).
2. None of the schools had that percentage of Powerpoint presentations as Naukova
Zmina researchers.
3. Naukova Zmina students sounded second to no other establishment.
I was very pleased to receive other judges' comments about NZ achievements. I am proud to work here.

Happy Holidays

2011-01-01T13:10:00.000-08:00

May the year 2011 be happy to all of you. May your achievements be appreciated. May your friends support you. May jolly smiles surround you. May phone numbers 101, 102 and 103 never be dialed. Wish you good luck!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

P.S. My blog activities have recently been reduced. Sorry about that. I have been busy sorting out the new English Literature course which is being delivered to Group 34-H, and preparing for the Argo Winter Camp Programme, which hasn't materialized though. Hope to be more regular this semester!

ARGO Autumn-2010

2010-10-11T13:50:00.000-07:00

In two weeks I will be among the oaks and pine-trees of Puscha-Vodytsya, so familiar to me. We are virtually family. This time ARGO enters the world of magic, wizardry and fairy tales. The current issue of the Hyde Park contains the following ad (sorry, it's mostly in Ukrainian):

Welcome to Wizards’ Country!
ARGO Camp Programme
Осіння зміна: з 23 по 31 жовтня 2010 року
Ставайте казкарями та чарівниками!

Англійський проект передбачає перегляд цікавих і популярних кінострічок та фільмовану інсценізацію казок, в тому числі власноруч написаних.
Місце розташування та інфраструктура: на базі санаторію Міністерства Оборони України «Пуща-Водиця», вул. Юнкерова, 60 (11-а лінія)

• екологічно чистий змішаний ліс з озером
• п’ятиповерховий корпус, що обігрівається
• 25-метровий закритий басейн з підігрівом
• спортивні майданчики та спортзал з тренажерами

Проживання: теплі 2-місні номери. В кожному номері є ліжка, тумбочки, гардероб, санвузол з душовою кабіною, балкон, металопластикові вікна.
Харчування: п’ятиразове.
Вартість путівки: 3200 грн.
У вартість путівки включені:
 Проживання
 Харчування
 Страхування
 Користування басейном та спортзалом
 Унікальна авторська програма розвитку дитини
 Проектна робота з англійської мови
 Анімаційні програми
 Медичне обслуговування
 Фото сесія
 Трансфер (Київ ст. М «Академмістечко» - Пуща-Водиця - ст. М «Академмістечко»)

БУДЕ ВЕСЕЛО І ЦІКАВО!

Звертатися до директора табору Олексія Олександровича ЗАБОЛОТНОГО, кім. С-214

And all that is true. What is not said is that there are going to be 3 separate age groups; no Foxhunt or boat trips (sorry, wrong season!); but the rest of traditional activities will happen. It does not say about two other 'vessels' proudly flying the ARGO flag: the ARGO-Dynamic and the ARGO-Creative (Looks like we've got grown into a flotilla!) More information about them you can get by clicking HERE .

Hope you'll join me in the Wizards' Forest!

My Favorite Teacher

2010-09-29T13:35:00.000-07:00

Our 3rd Course September Project, 2010

I used to hate World Literature... But when I came to the World Literature classroom and met my new teacher I had changed my attitude to this subject!!! Svetlana Anatolievna took me into the beautiful, new world; not known to me before.
Her lessons are always interesting and humorous. Svetlana Anatolievna knows a lot of true-life stories and always shares them with us. She is tireless, simple, and always smiling. I can’t say she is very strict, because she has а"creative mind" and is humane to her pupils. Beyond all doubts, she teaches us not only literary theory, but develops our inner worlds. It`s evident that Svetlana Anatolievna loves her job which engulfs her completely!!!
I do revere Svetlana Anatolievna and always visit her lessons with keen pleasure!
Alina PTUSHKINA,
Group 34-H

My favorite teacher is Svetlana Anatolievna. She is a teacher of the World Literature. I didn`t use to like the world literature before I entered the Lycee. But when Svetlana Anatolievna started teaching me I began to love it. She is a very friendly and interesting person. She is full of enthusiasm and she gets everybody interested in the subject. And of course, she always helps when we can`t understand something. This year I`m writing MANs with Svetlana Anatolievna, because I am interested in it. I think as a teacher she is very good at teaching. I`m very glad that Svetlana Anatolievna is my teacher
Semen KYSELYOV,
Group 34-H

My favorite teacher is Natalia Shipko, my Geography teacher. She is one of those teachers, who are strict, but really impartial. After Natalia Vasilivna became my teacher – Geography has become my favorite subject. Now I am really interested in it.
Also, Natalia Vasilivna always organizes different journeys, school trips and excursions. I have already been to Bulgaria and the Carpathian Mountains with Natalia Vasylivna – it was really great!
As for me, every Geography lesson taught by Natalia Vasylivna is really special.
By Tetyana PAKHOLOK,
Group 34-H

Well, my first impression about my favorite teacher was very funny. I came into the Geography class and saw a strict and demanding teacher. She was sitting at the table and writing something in the class journal. She looked at me and continued working. For the whole previous year I had been lazy not making an effort. At the last lessons of the year I started to work but it was too late! The exams were approaching, and the academic year was over. But I decided to pass the Geography exam well. I had been preparing to Geography exam all the time. I did it! It was great when I got a high mark! Since then I have loved Geography! My teacher helped me to understand that if I want to learn something, I will learn it.
Yaroslav PANNOCHKA,
Group 34-H

I’d like to tell you about my favorite teacher. Her name is Oksana Mykhailivna, and she teaches Physics.
She is a very kind person. She always helps us with difficult tasks. She is sympathetic and patient.
Also Oksana Mykhailivna is a very beautiful woman. She has got big green eyes and dark hair. She likes all pupils and we like her too.
She is sociable and dynamic, and she likes to speak with students about different things!
Jeanna DOVBYK,
Group 34-H

My favorite teacher is Mykhailova Natalya Viktorivna. When I first came to the Lycee in the seventh grade, she was appointed my form-master. She is very supportive and our entire group immediately liked her. However, after the seventh grade, I joined another group, the humanitarian one. Since then, Ukrainian literature has been my favorite subject.
When she talks with us about the subject, it seems like she goes through the characters of those works that we read. And the biographies of all the authors become quite impressive, because she tells about them as if she knew all of them personally.
Last year I started writing a scientific work on Ukrainian literature. Natalya Viktorivna helped me with that very much. That experience inspired me to write my MAN-paper this year, because it is enjoyable to work with a teacher who supports you.
By the way, thanks to her I'm studying in the Lycee now. When I applied for entering it, the question arose whether to enroll me or not. So the director of the Lycee gave her the right to choose as she could be my future form-master.
After asking me a few questions, Natalya Viktorivna said, that she wants me to study in her group. So they admitted me!
Olena SKRYPKA,
Group 34-H

I have known my favorite teacher for two years. When I came to the Lyceum I wasn`t very good at some subjects but I was quite good at German, English and Ukrainian literature. I loved these subjects because of the teachers who taught me.
I remember the first time I came into the English classroom. It was full of posters, little flags, maps, photos and books. There was a huge bookcase too. So, in general, the class was full of interesting things. From the first lesson Oleksiy Oleksandrovych seemed to be a very interesting person. And I was not mistaken. He got everybody interested in the subject. I`m still impressed by his knowledge.
So it is just the teacher who makes me interested in learning the language.
Anna SAMAR,
Group 34-H

I have several teachers who I like best in the Lycee. They are Oksana Volodymirivna – the teacher of Math, Iryna Yurivna – the teacher of Biology, the teacher of History - Lidia Oleksiivna,the teacher of Geography – Natalia Vasylivna, the teacher of Physics -Oksana Mykhaliivna.
I used to hate some subjects in my previous school. I hated Math, I had troubles with Geography, Biology and Physics, but the most difficult subject for me was History. Then I entered the Lycee... When I first came to the History lesson and saw the teacher I thought that she was extremely strict. But I was mistaken. She is a very kind and simple person. At the same time, Lidia Oleksiivna is a very strong personality, who can make you interested in her lessons. I had never heard her raising her voice to explain something. She always does it in an interesting way. She is an ultimate authority in class, because she`s a loyal and clever teacher. She gives every impression of a wise person. Sometimes when she sits at her teacher`s desk and looks through her glasses at me, it seems that somehow she knows what I am thinking about at the moment. She is dedicated to her job and works hard. And she always keeps composure! She knows her subject perfectly well and loves children very much! I begin to love history after I met Lidia Oleksiivna! I`m glad to have a chance to communicate with her!
Julia PTUSHKINA,
Group 34-H

WHAT IS EUROPE FOR US?

2010-09-19T12:13:00.000-07:00

EUROPE IS OUR NEIGHBOUR
September 16 – 17, 2010

More students are ready to share their views on our European roots, identities, ties and other international issues.

ALEX MELNYCHENKO: “As for me Europe differs from the rest of the world. European people are more polite and intelligent. Europeans are wealthier, and a lot of people immigrate there looking for better lives. Europe offers a lot of interesting opportunities.”

ANN ATAMAS: “In my opinion Europe means modern life, modern technologies and highly developed industries. There you can see splendid landscapes, and gigantic air-polluting traffic jams on the perfect roads. Ukraine as an EU member? I don’t know. On the one hand it’s nice to belong to Europe, but I am afraid of our country losing its uniqueness.”

YURI ISCHENKO: “For me Europe is a great world. It’s like a fairy land where people are more polite and have better manners than our folks here. You can’t see a European littering in the street. Also Europe, I mean Western Europe first of all, consists of developed countries that provide jobs for many East European guys, which is quite important. Ukraine should join the EU immediately!”

ANNA CHYKYRYNDA: “Europe is a good example for Ukraine! I’d like to live in one of the European counties because they are better developed than ours. I’d like to visit France, Italy, Great Britain and Greece. I also would like to study in a European university.”

VLAD SMIRINSKY: “For me Europe is the cultural center of the world. All countries in Europe have been developing their culture for hundreds of years, which can be seen when admiring architecture of their cities… I hope Ukraine will join Europe one day.”

VLAD GARANKO: “I see Europe just as a group of highly developed countries. I don’t think people there are friendlier or more intelligent than we are. We are Europeans after all although we speak different languages and go to different churches. I don’t think we should ask Europe for help. We can solve our problems ourselves.”

ANNA DATSYUK: “Europe sets a good example for Ukraine, because the standards of living there are higher than in our country. I would like to visit England, Italy and France. If we want to look like them we have to improve our infrastructure with the help of our neighbours.”

KATERYNA BOIKO: “I don’t know what to say about Europe. There are just some nice places which I’d like to visit: the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Big Ben in London and some other. Nothing else.”

KYRYLO PODKOVYROV: “Europe for me is a gold standard of a place to live. European countries have less political problems. It’s better to work there than in Ukraine. European education is better. I want to leave Ukraine and go to Europe to live there. Ukraine has to learn something from Europe.”

SASHA TRETEVYCH: “For me Europe is a union of developed countries such as Germany, France and Great Britain. The Europeans live among beautiful churches and palaces. For me the cultural center of our civilization is located there.”

ANDREW CHUBKO: “Europe has higher level of development in all areas of economics; higher standards of living. Most people in Europe are happier then people in our country. But it means nothing for me. I am happy that I was born in Ukraine and I don’t think my life would be better if I were born in a European country. I’d like to travel around Europe to get some new experience but the word EUROPE does not evoke any special thoughts in my head.”

Do you remember this Greek myth?

SVETLANA NENYUK: “I like all the European countries. My favourite ones are: France, Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, Hungary, Estonia, Great Britain, Ireland and Sweden. I’d like to visit them because they are more developed and beautiful.”

PAVLO TROYANOV: “For me Europe is something new because I have never been there. So, I would like to visit it, Rome first of all since it is a cultural centre. I think we have to learn something from Europe.”

SVITLANA BILOKRYNYTSKA: “European countries have higher level of development than Ukraine. I would like to visit Greece, Italy, Montenegro and Lithuania. I’d like to study in Great Britain to improve my English. It’s a wonderful country with interesting customs, traditions and holidays.”

ALEX NABOKOV: “Europe includes a lot of countries and many of them belong to the European Union – a powerful organization of nations with interesting culture, loads of historic places etc. I see Europe just like that: historical sights, beautiful places, quality resorts, excellent education and high social standards.”

KATERYNA RODYNENKO: “Europe is an example for us, Ukrainians, and for our country. There are a lot of well-developed countries in Europe that I would like to visit especially England, Germany, Italy and France. I think we have to borrow something from their cultures. I’d like to study in a European university, in England or Germany. By the way, situation in Ukraine may be improved with some European assistance.”

N.B. Analyzing this mini-poll results one can see that Europe is seen by our students mostly as
a. a holiday destination
b. a cultural resource
c. an example to follow
d. a possible place to receive further education and/or job.
Notably only ONE respondent (5%!) sees himself as a European, and Ukraine as a part of Europe.

Now, enjoy some humour. What does it take to be a perfect European?

Welcome back to school!

2010-08-31T12:44:00.000-07:00

Congratulations! The summer is over and we are back at the beginning of another nine-month academic race. I am happy to have the same students this academic year. I hope we'll manage to avoid flu quarantines this time, which might enable us to achieve better results... unless they don't cheat, miss classes, ignore recommendations etc.

Aristotle said: "The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet."

B.B.King added a couple of milleniums later: "The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you."

I can't but agree with both of them. May this year strengthen the foundations of the castles of your unique personalities!

Exciting Summer

2010-08-31T11:41:00.000-07:00

‘How did you spend your summer holidays?’ is a traditional question for the first class of every next academic year or a topic for the first essay written by ESL students. I spent my summer in the most exciting way, in the forest, running ARGO Camp Program as its Chief Supervisor (director), drawing What’s on? bulletins, painting posters, hiding in the bushes (see below), diving in the swimming pool, rowing boats and teaching some English.

This time I got employed by Impuls-Plus Tour Operator who has introduced the program to the holiday market.

The ancient ARGO crew members were not just average sailors: each of them was famous for some unique gifts, talents, abilities or a social position. Just to mention the most prominent of them: Argus (the shipbuilder), Asclepius (the doctor), Heracles (the strongman), Orpheus (the singer and musician)… The name ARGO suggests that every participant is seen as a unique personality whose abilities are appreciated and developed.

We obviously did our best to implement this noble idea and make it work. For this purpose we created numerous situations that demanded various skills: intellectual, physical, artistic, hunting, managerial, surviving, performing, and what not…

In these photos you can see Naukova Zmina students at different ARGO events. Do you recognize Vlad Garanko, Yuri Ischenko, Andriy Komyshev, Kate Bondarenko, Myroslava Ostapenko, Serhiy Kazaryan, Ivan Kovtun, Andriy Rustamov and Alisa Kuznetsova?
I have to admit that participation of Naukova Zmina students in the program made me proud of the educational establishment I have a privilege to work at. Our students are bright, definitely not average, and their presence cannot remain unnoticed.I hope to see even more of our NZ guys participating in the next ARGO Camp Programs!

MORE "ARGO" CAMP PHOTOS

2010-05-05T09:16:00.000-07:00

Get acquainted with "Argo" Camp Program, its activities, its surroundings, its facilities and some faces.

Sometimes Chief Supervisor has all our attention. Especially when he is a DJ.

Sometimes Chief Supervisor is hard to be detected. Especially when he plays Foxhunt.

We prefer practical training with REAL things.

The program starts and finishes with a campfire.

Campfires are always popular.

Nature is really fantastic out there.

There is a nice lake.

If the weather isn't warm enough, there is a fine swimming pool.

Campers enjoy playing waterball there. But you ought to wear a rubber cap.

SPECIAL SUMMER OFFER! "ARGO" Camp Programme is back!

2010-05-04T13:31:00.000-07:00

I have a rare priviledge to invite my students to my holiday camp. English camp programs has been my job since 1998. My last full-scale "Argo" Camp Program was held in 2005. After a 5-year break it is back and shining, bigger than ever. Together with IMPULS-PLUS travel agency we plan to have 6 programs this summer. The dates are:
June 7 - June 18; June 20 - July 1; July 3 - July 14; July 16 - July 27; July 29 - August 9; August 11 - August 22. During these programs some of the finest Kyiv teachers will help you to do projects on PIRATES (!), NATIVE AMERICANS (!) and DINOSAURS (!!). Plenty of video is guaranteed. Swimming pool and/or lake - every day. Discos are inevitable. Comfortable accomodation in rooms for 2 or 3 (take a friend with you!). Place: Puscha-Vodytsya, MoD Sanatorium. Price: UAH 3 200 (quite competitive, isn't it?). Contact me personally, you-know-where.

WARNING: Campers tend to get addicted to the program. They would just keep coming.

International Express-2010

2010-05-04T13:16:00.000-07:00

On April 16, 2010, the lycee witnessed an impressive turmoil. 12 teams competed at 7 stations of the INTERNATIONAL EXPRESS. As the initiator of the game I was quite proud with its becoming a tradition, and happy that it still brings some excitement. The results were the following:
1st Place: Class 7-B, Groups 15-H & 22-E
2nd Place: Class 7-A, Groups 11-M, 24-H & 21-M
3rd Place: Class 7-C, Groups 12-E, 13-E, 14-E & 23-E.
Special thanks to the individual members of the teams, who were the most active when competing at the International Express-2010 Linguistic Contest and contributed significantly to their teams’ scores:
Olga Melnikova (7-A)
Danylo Novikov (7-B)
Tetyana Shmanai (7-B)
Violetta Grygoryan (7-B)
Tetyana Ponomarenko (7-B)
Daria Kozubska (7-C)
Andriy Ivanyuk (7-C)
Anastasia Chigareva (11-M)
Artem Ogarkov (11-M)
Tetyana Grygoryeva (12-E)
Oleg Kosyak (13-E)
Mykyta Salikhov (14-E)
Yuri Tolochko (21-M)
Viktoria Balioz (22-E)
Olena Kachurina (23-E)
Dmytro Stadnyk (23-E)
Yelizabeta Koval (24-H)
Vadym Gromadskyi (24-H)
Good job,ladies and gentlemen! Well done!

Humour Collection-2010

2010-04-13T11:38:00.000-07:00

The students of Groups 32-E and 33-E contributed their jokes and anecdotes long ago. The collection had been waiting for the right time for months until it finally was published in the Hyde Park bulletin in the last days of March. I really enjoyed supervising the project. If you are to lazy to come to the bulletin, you can enjoy reading our collection right HERE . I personally like this photo very much.

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Again.

2010-03-16T15:05:00.000-07:00

Halliluyah! The 17th of March has come again. Again EVERYBODY IS IRISH ON ST.PATRICK'S DAY! When I think about the Irish , I feel that we, Ukrainians, and they have quite a lot in common. Of course, it's only one of the reasons why I like the holiday. I'd like to share some Irish wit with you.

An Irishman's Philosophy:

In life, there are only two things to worry about: Either you are well or you are sick. If you are well, there is nothing to worry about.

But if you are sick, there are only two things to worry about: Either you will get well or you will die. If you get well, there is nothing to worry about.

But if you die, there are only two things to worry about: Either you will go to heaven or hell. If you go to heaven, there is nothing to worry about.

And if you go to hell, you’ll be so busy shaking hands with all your friends that you won’t have time to worry!

ZANDARO-2010: Humanitarian Aid Project

2010-03-10T04:30:00.000-08:00

"There is a country in a tropical region which is suffering virtually all imaginable problems. The name of the country is ZANDARO, with the capital city of Zangora..." These words begin the presentation of project work done by the students of Group 33-E on planning some humanitarian aid to an imaginary country. It goes with Module 8 of New Opportunities Upper Intermediate Coursebook (with "Old" Opportunities it also went well). The project was done last year by the students of Group 43-E, but, unfortunately, they were not able to present it in public. This year we have renovated the whole thing developing their ideas. You can read the project materials by clicking on the following:
1. Presentation by Ann ATAMAS;
2. Infrastructure Development Plan by Ivan BATALYUK and Oleksandr SIKORSKY;
3. Medical Aid Plan by Oleksandra TRETEVYCH and Oleksandr MELNYCHENKO;
4. Temporary Housing Plan by Yuri ISCHENKO and Vlad SMIRINSKY;
5. Education Development Plan by Kate BOIKO and Vlad BUDCHENKO.

Presidents' Day

2010-02-15T04:34:00.000-08:00

Two great Americans were born in February: George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. That is why the third Monday of this month (which is today) has been made a special day to commemorate their achievements. Anna Samar of Group 24-H has submitted an article about the holiday to the HYDE PARK. You can also read it HERE .

The Most Romantic Day

2010-02-15T04:19:00.000-08:00

Hope you all have a sweet St. Valentine's Day! Ilona Chaikovska of Group 24-H has submitted an article to the HYDE PARK, which tells a lot about this holiday. If you haven't seen it in the bulletin you may read it HERE .

Love and kisses!

Martin Luther King Jr. - a person who changed the world

2010-01-23T11:31:00.000-08:00

On January 18 this year many people around the world marked MARTIN LUTHER KING's DAY. He did not manage to live a long life and was assasinated when he was just 39, but the world has never been the same since then. Martin Luther King = civil rights. Even his death contributed to the issue. HELEN SKRYPKA of Group 24-H has prepared a report about this outstanding personality. It can be found in the Hyde Park and HERE .

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

2009-12-24T15:29:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas, dear visitors, and may the evil never even come close to you! May the coming year be really happy and ten times more successful than this one! Take care and Godspeed!

Ukrainian Armed Forces Day

2009-12-06T14:28:00.000-08:00

As the Soviet Union dissolved in 1990 and 1991, 780,000 Soviet military personnel remained located in Ukraine’s three military districts. This mass was not an army but a force grouping, without a national Ministry of Defense, a General Staff or central organs of command and control. 'This grouping, its inventory of equipment and its officer corps were designed for one purpose: to wage combined arms, coalition, offensive warfare (also nuclear) against NATO on an external front.
On August 24, 1991, the Ukrainian parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, enacted a resolution to take jurisdiction over all formations of the armed forces of the former Soviet Union stationed on Ukrainian soil, and to establish one of the key agencies, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense.
On December 6, 1991 the Parliament adopted laws On Defense of Ukraine and On the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The military of the former Soviet units voluntarily began to pledge allegiance to the newly born state of Ukraine. That is why this date is marked as a birthday of the modern Ukrainian military.
This is the OPLOT quite modern Ukrainian MBT on the left. However, Ukraine has it just as a prototype.

And here are some pieces of military humor for you to enjoy.

Happy Thanksgiving Day!

2009-11-25T13:18:00.001-08:00

THANKSGIVING DAY is marked on the last Thursday in November making that weekend a really long one. All generations of every family sit together at the feast table on that day. The Thanksgiving weekend gives the start to the Christmas season.
This holiday has a long history, which started in 1620 when a Protestant religious group known today as ‘Pilgrims’ arrived in the New World on board of the ship called Mayflower, and settled in what is now known as the state of Massachusetts. Their first winter in America was full of hardship and drama. They arrived too late to farm the land, so they starved. Half of the colony died from disease. The following spring the local tribe of Native Americans taught them how to grow corn and other crops. They also helped them to hunt and fish. In the autumn of 1621 the Pilgrims got a rich harvest of corn, barley, beans, pumpkin and other vegetables. They prepared a feast and sat together with the Indian chief and ninety other natives at the abundant dinner tables. Of course, prior to dining they praised the Lord, and thanked Him for all the food and wealth He gave them. This is how the festivity got started.
In the years that followed colonists in many settlements celebrated the harvest with a feast of thanks. After the United States gained Independence the congress recommended a single day of thanksgiving for the entire country. George Washington, the first president of the USA, suggested November 26 as Thanksgiving Day. It was Abraham Lincoln who established the holiday on the last Thursday of November after the end of the Civil War.
A traditional Thanksgiving meal consists of roast turkey stuffed with herb-flavored bread, cranberry jelly, mashed potatoes, and a pumpkin pie. Other dishes may vary regionally: ham, sweet potatoes, creamed corn, maple syrup etc.
Vlad BUDCHENKO and Ann ATAMAS of Group 33-E have prepared more detailed information about all that HERE .

And here are some funny Thanksgiving Day cartoons for you to enjoy!

Do they celebrate THANKSGIVING in CANADA? No, they dont... or do they? Anna ATAMAS knows the answer. It is hidden right HERE .

"My Lords, pray, be seated."

2009-11-24T09:40:00.000-08:00

With these words the queen let the members of the House of Lords sit down. Her Majesty Elizabeth II, Queen of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland opened parliament a week ago, on Wednesday, November 18. It was one of the most spectacular traditional ceremonies in London.
The two part procession, guarded by the Royal Horse Guards, consisted of the Her Majesty’s Crown in the first part, followed by numerous sections of mounted Horse Guards forming a magnificent and colourful procession.
At around 11:10, HM the Queen passed down Whitehall heading towards Parliament for the official opening of Parliament for the year 2009 - 2010.
The 20 minute event, in the wind and rain, was watched by lots of people eager to catch a glimpse of the Queen and her impressive entourage as they made their way towards Westminster…
Queen's Speech lasted only about 7 minutes but it fired the starting gun of the general election. The monarch also mentioned the drafts that have to become laws through parliamentary procedure.For example, the Financial Services Authority (FSA) will be given powers over bankers' bonuses. NHS (National Health Service) patients will be given new rights, as will parents and their children. Local authorities could be given more authority to prevent floods. A bill will be introduced to bring forward the government's Digital Britain agenda for universal broadband by 2012.

Quarantine Assignment for Groups 32-E and 33-E

2009-11-13T13:37:00.001-08:00

I am happy to inform you that in December you will have to show your excellent knowledge of the two following topics:

#1. The Political System of the USA (which you will be able to find by clicking HERE ).
#2. The Spanish-American War (which you will be able to find by clicking HERE ).

Juicy opportunity to get another excellent mark:
The Hyde Park needs a refreshed material about the Thanksgiving Day, its history and actual celebration. Contribute it and I guarantee a reward.

Quarantine Assignment for Groups 12-E and 14-E

2009-11-13T09:31:00.000-08:00

Not to let you forget about the existence of such a subject as "English" I decided to remind you that some serious control papers on Spotlight on Britain are waiting for you to come and write them. So, I advise you to be ready to answer the following questions:

Task 1. Put the invaders into correct chronological order:
1. The Vikings
2. The Angles, Saxons and Jutes
3. The Celts
4. The Normans
5. The Romans

Task 2. Give the short answers to the following questions:
6. What is the highest mountain in Great Britain?
7. From which group of invaders did England get its name?
8. What is the longest river in Great Britain?
9. Can we call a person from Glasgow “an Englishman”?
10. Which part of the UK has a red dragon on its flag?
11. How many crosses are there on the flag of the United Kingdom?
12. Which part of the UK has St. David as its holy patron?
13. When did the Normans invade Britain?
14. Which part of the UK is NOT situated in Great Britain?
15. Which part of the UK is sometimes called Ulster?
16. What sort of monarchy is the UK?
17. How many chambers are there in the Parliament?
18. How many MPs are there?
19. Who becomes Prime Minister after the elections?
20. What is the ‘Shadow Cabinet’?
21. What are the main political parties in the UK?
22. What happens to a bill after it has been passed by the House of Commons?
23. Who is the head of the Church of England?
24. Where do we find a kirk?
25. At what age can you drive a car in Great Britain?
26. At what age can you get married without asking your parents in Great Britain?
27. When do they usually take family holidays in Britain?
28. Where does the Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree come from?
29. When do they celebrate St. Valentine’s Day?
30. What comes after Pancake Tuesday?
31. What may happen if you don’t ‘treat’ masked children nicely on October 31?
32. When do they launch a lot of fireworks in Britain?
33. When do the British open their Christmas presents?

After making sure you are able to answer those questions, you have to study the material about London (Pages 16 - 30 of Spotlight on Britain). May this map and the pictures help you to feel in London.

Quarantine Assignments for Group 24-H

2009-11-12T13:59:00.000-08:00

The two weeks of the flu quarantine plus the preceding week of regular school holidays make the gap in learning process really scandalous. So, here is the task to keep you, students of GROUP 24-H busy, and make you ready for the checking in the beginning of the Second Term. Firstly (#1):Be ready to answer the following questions:
1. How many people live in the USA?
2. Which European nation was the first to settle in the New World?
3. When did American Colonies proclaim independence from England?
4. When was the slavery abolished?
5. What is the fastest growing ethnic group in the USA?
6. What is American economy based on?
7. What happened in the early 1930s?
8. Is it true that the government influence on the economy reduced since the 1930s?
9. What shift is observed in the modern US economy?
10. Do children pray in public schools?
11. What is the dominant religion in the United States?
12. Which Christian denomination prevails in America?
13. Which Christian church makes the largest religious group?
14. Which religion prevails in Utah?
15. How many marriages end in divorces?
16. What is the woman’s role in traditional families?
17. Are there more or less children in American families nowadays?
18. What is a “reconstituted family”?
19. How many Americans will have been over 65 by the year 2020?
20. Can you name 3 basic levels of the US secondary education?
21. Do they pay for studying at public schools in the USA?
22. What are most private schools associated with?
23. Students’ drama clubs, school sport teams, school newspaper… what are they?
24. How long do they study at community colleges?
25. What is the lowest academic degree?
26. How do they call the subjects that students are free to choose?
27. What is the most popular source of entertainment in the USA?
28. What are the FOUR major professional sports events?
29. Speaking about TV, what do many people complain about?
30. What is a “New Year’s Resolution”?
31. Who was Martin Luther King, Jr.?
32. Which two great Americans had birthdays in February?
33. What do Americans celebrate on the 4th of July?
34. What do Americans celebrate on the first Monday in September?
35. What do Americans celebrate on the last Thursday in November?
36. How do people rule in an indirect democracy?
37. Who can vote in the USA?
38. When was the US Constitution written?
39. What is the Bill of Rights?
40. What did the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments do?
41. What are the Chambers of the US Congress?
42. How many representatives are there?
43. How many senators are there? Why?
44. Who is the head of the country?
45. How many Departments does the US Administration include?
46. How do the judges of the Supreme Court get their appointments?
47. Who is the leader of an individual state?
48. What are the major political parties in the USA?
49. Which symbol belongs to which party?
50. Which party does the current US president belong to?

Secondly (#2): Study the material about the US National Symbols which you will be able to find in the middle (on Page 4) of the USA, Part 1 by clicking HERE .

Thirdly (#3): Study material on pp. 17 - 31 of SPOTLIGHT ON THE USA (the unit about New England). That's all for now.

P.S. I remember both about Harry Potter and the dictation-translation. We have some work to do. Take care.

Remember the 5th of November

2009-11-12T13:36:00.000-08:00

Does England have a special day with fireworks as spectacular as those their 'American cousins' enjoy on the 4th of July? Certainly it does. It is the 5th of November, when in 1605, thirteen young men planned to blow up the Houses of Parliament. Among them was Guy Fawkes, Britain's most notorious traitor. The attempt was unsuccessful, the conspirators were caught and executed, but:
REMEMBER, REMEMBER
THE FIFTH OF NOVEMBER
GUNPOWDER TREASON AND PLOT
AND I SEE NO REASON
WHY GUNPOWDER TREASON
SHOULD EVER BE FORGOT
More details can be found in the essay done by Oleksandr PETLIN of Group 12-E. You can read about Guy Fawkes HERE .

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-30T12:19:00.001-07:00

Happy Halloween to all the followers of this ancient Celtic tradition! The third issue of the Hyde Park this year is traditionally devoted to the autumn festivals of the English-speaking world. We have updated information on Halloween contributed by Vlad Kuzmenko (Group 32-E) and Nataly Zabolotna of Linguistic University (graduated from the Lycee in 2007). You can find the article on the Halloween's history and origins HERE and the explanations of Halloween symbols' meanings right HERE . Enjoy!

“SAFE UKRAINE – SAFE EUROPE – SAFE WORLD”

2009-10-28T09:27:00.000-07:00

October 24, 2009
This motto makes the name of an international high school students’ contest organized by the Association of School Administrators of Ukraine, the Atlantic Council of Ukraine and the Public League Ukraine – NATO. The similar contests are held in Poland and Slovakia. The contest was held in Ukraine for the 4th time. The aim of the contest is to spread information and knowledge in the areas of international security, particularly to understand the activities of international security organizations.
This year Naukova Zmina Lycee took part in the contest for the first time. The team of 3rd course students consisting of Oles RYABCHUK, Vlad CHYKIVCHUK, Yuri ISCHENKO and Oleksandr SIKORSKY, led by their trainer Oleksiy ZABOLOTNYI, went to School # 41 to participate. Our guys submitted their essays, took a test and participated in a discussion. As we were new at the contest, our essays may be not perfect, but our students were second to no one in terms of intellect and discussion skills. Special thanks should be addressed to Yuri ISHCHENKO who turned up at the contest despite his injury and demonstrated dedication and bravery.
In the end everybody received the Certificate of Participation and an invitation to join more activities and contests held by the above mentioned organizations. We hope that next time we will be even more successful because A GOOD BEGINNING MAKES A GOOD ENDING.
Thank you for participation and
promoting the Lycee!

HAPPY TEACHERS' DAY!

2009-10-03T13:57:00.000-07:00

Congratulations, dear colleagues. Your students love you, and you can read their essays about their top favorites HERE , particularly if you have't read them in the HYDE PARK.

APRIL 12 - A MILESTONE IN HISTORY

2009-04-15T04:23:00.000-07:00

Every country that used to belong to the Soviet Union marks April 12 as the day when, in 1961, the first man went into orbit around our planet. It was Yuri Gagarin, who became a world-famous charismatic figure. However, it was just an episode in the epic competition between the USSR and the USA for the world domination known as "SPACE RACE". You know who won it. Vlad KUZMENKO published an article about this period in The Hyde Park bulletin. You can find it HERE . However, his article did not contain some facts that the editor (guess who?) considered to be important. That's why a dovetailing factfile was published. You can enjoy it by clicking HERE .

HOLLYWOOD

2009-04-07T00:33:00.001-07:00

What are the Olsen twins doing out there? Read about that and a lot more after clicking HERE . The text is for the 2nd course students (chiefly).

New Zealand

2009-03-30T06:06:00.000-07:00

Attention, 4th course students! THIS IS THE LAST COUNTRY YOU ARE GOING TO STUDY! Congratulations. You know what to do with the material that you can find by clicking HERE .

HAPPY ST.PATRICK'S DAY!

2009-03-17T03:06:00.000-07:00

EVERYBODY IS IRISH ON MARCH 17!

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

2009-03-04T23:52:00.000-08:00

Vlad Kuzmenko of Group 23-E has just published an article about the history of the International Women's Day celebrated on March 8 in the Hyde Park bulletin. If you haven't read it there yet, you can do it by clicking HERE . Thank you Vlad! And...

HAPPY WOMEN'S DAY, LADIES!

New York City

2009-03-02T04:06:00.001-08:00

Attention 2nd course students! The text about the biggest city in the USA can be found HERE .

ST. VALENTINE'S BALL

2009-02-27T03:23:00.000-08:00

On Friday, February 13, in an ambitious attempt to start a new tradition, the Lycee's Senate organized a ball to celebrate the coming St. Valentine's Day. The Hyde Park bulletin has just published an article about that event containing some students' impressions. If you haven't read the article on the bulletin, you can do it by clicking HERE .

How to write a Letter of Application

2009-02-16T03:11:00.000-08:00

Attention,4th course students! One of the possible writing tasks at the External Independent Assessment is to write a letter, applying for a job. However, our current coursebooks do not show its layout. So, learn how to do that by clicking HERE . Use it as a sample, write your own data, don't make mistakes. Good luck!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

2009-02-14T12:19:00.000-08:00

Wish you happy St.Valentine's Day, the day which celebrates love. Do you know what love is? Some clever individuals gave the following definitions (and if you know why I've just used Past Simple instead of Present Perfect although there's result in the Present - e-mail me or find me in my classroom and get your reward). So, the definitions:

*"Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies."
- Aristotle
*"Young love is a flame; very pretty, often very hot and fierce, but still only light and flickering. The love of the older and disciplined heart is as coals, deep-burning, unquenchable."
- Henry Ward Beecher
*"Love does not dominate; it cultivates."
- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
*"Love makes your soul crawl out from its hiding place."
- Zora Neale Hurston

WELCOME TO AUSTRALIA!

2009-02-03T03:49:00.000-08:00

Attention 4th-course students! Here you may see the first part of the material about Australia. The topics it does not cover are: Australian Ways, Australian English and Aborigines. Those will be included in Part 2. To reach the text click HERE .

MARMOT'S DAY

2009-02-03T03:37:00.000-08:00

If a marmot (or a groundhog)came out of his burrow in Kyiv yesterday, he would go back to sleep, as it was sunny, but frosty. We seem to have about six weeks of winter left. I came to this conclusion after reading Vlad Kuzmenko's article in the Hyde Park. You can do the same by clicking HERE .

US History in Brief

2009-02-03T02:10:00.000-08:00

Attention 2-course students! Here you can find a VERY abbreviated version of the history of the USA. To see it click HERE . The most difficult thing was to squeeze all that into a four-page format. So, there isn't a single unnecessary fact. Enjoy and learn.

Oh, Obama. O-B-A-M-A...

2009-02-02T03:03:00.000-08:00

Quite unusual, though not totally unexpected. I have been studying English for about forty-some years, and I have never come across such an Anglo-Saxon name as "BARACK". The other day one of my 11-grade students while doing a routine excercise composed the following statement:"What's ridiculous is that an Afro-American lives in the White House." Isn't it amazing that a normal UKRAINIAN student cares about the one who sits in the Oval Office across the ocean?

LIVE AND LEARN:

1. That's how stereotypes work. America is NOT a WASP (White, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant) country any more.

2.That's how globalization works. The decisions taken in the White House are REALLY important here, in Kyiv.

If I were a US citizen I would definitely vote for McCaine. You know, somehow I trust a person who has some experience in confrontation with the global plague armed with all sorts of modern weaponry. I trust fighter pilots who have survived: all their decisions had been the right ones. I trust men who know the practical meanings of the words "duty", "dignity" and "responsibility". And who is that Barack Obama?

The answer is very simple: the 44th president of the USA. The nation's choice, God bless them.

I may not trust Obama. I may not trust the voters. But I trust America as a system created more than 200 years ago. It has unique built-in mechanisms of turning all its wrongs into rights. So, CONGRATULATIONS, MR. PRESIDENT!

To read the Hyde Park article created by Ann ATAMAS (Group 23-E) and Vlad KUZMENKO (Group 22-E) click on OBAMA ARTICLE .

To see some funny cartoons from Obama's presidential campaign click HERE .

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-24T12:05:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas, dear visitor, and may your wishes come true!

WHY TWO CHRISTMASES?

2008-12-16T12:11:00.001-08:00

Why do Roman Catholics and Protestants celebrate Christmas on December 25, and the members of the Russian Orthodox Church observe the holiday on January 7? Why different dates? Why December 25? Why january 7? Was Jesus Christ really born in winter? The answers to these questions are given in the article written by Kate Konstantinova of Group 43-E, which is published in the HYDE PARK, but can also be found HERE .

AMERICAN HOLIDAYS

2008-12-10T14:45:00.001-08:00

Left: X-mas tree on the Capitol Hill, Washington D.C.

Thanksgiving Day has already been celebrated... However, it marks the beginning of another holiday season: CHRISTMAS is coming! It is accompanied by the end of the 1st semester and credits. So, the time has come to publish the sixth, and the last topic from Country Studies: USA to be presented by students - 'Holidays and Celebrations in the USA.' It is found HERE .
The essay covers Independence Day, Labor Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, St. Patrick's Day and Easter. Such prominent events as Veterans' Day, Columbus Day and New Year are not included. You can do it yourself: search for the information, organize it as a text, add illustrations, bring (or send) it to me, and get your EXCELLENT MARK. Happy holidays and good luck for your credits and tests!

PRIZE WINNERS!

2008-12-01T13:19:00.000-08:00

SPEAKER'S CORNER did it again! The Lycee's Team proved to be the best in the traditional Mr. Know-All contest organized by the Kyiv International University. Our guys were really the best. Full information can be found in the Hyde Park bulletin board and by clicking HERE .

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

2008-10-30T09:33:00.000-07:00

Although we do not celebrate this ancient Celtic festival, many of you, visitors observe it this or that way. So, may it be merry, may the sweets be abundant, may nobody play any tricks on you, and may you be treated royally!

See what Dennis-the-Menace does at Halloween:

CANADA, Part 2.

2008-10-26T12:02:00.000-07:00

ATTENTION 4th (AND 3rd) COURSE STUDENTS (AND TEACHERS)! The second part of my "Canada" is ready, and published. It covers such topics as "Population and Immigration", "Culture" (including "Education" and "Sports")and "Ukrainians in Canada". The only topic not covered there is "Provinces and Territories". Maybe I will complete it later and add to the previous two as "Part 3." To get your copy of CANADA, Part 2 click your mouse HERE .

P.S. It's so good to be able to keep promises.

The USA in Brief, Part 1.

2008-10-20T01:37:00.001-07:00

ATTENTION 2nd COURSE STUDENTS (AND TEACHERS)! Here you can obtain the first part of material about the USA covering the following topics: "General information", "Geography, climate and wildlife", "US symbols" and "Population". It is based on Wikipedia articles but is easier to consume. In November I plan to finish the job publishing the rest of the required topics. To get your copy of "The USA in Brief" click HERE .

ALARM! "Scribd" are rebuilding their domain, so some problems may occur. If you haven't got direct access to the document do the following:
Step 1: click HERE - you will be directed to Scribd.
Step 2: type zabolotnyi61 in the "Search" window and click "Search".
Step 3: No documents but "People(1)" will be found. Click it.
Step 4: Click the blue "zabolotnyi61" and you will see all my documents. Choose by clicking - help yourself to some country studies.

CANADA, Part 1 - a topic to learn

2008-10-13T12:26:00.000-07:00

ATTENTION STUDENTS OF THE 3rd AND 4th COURSES, AND TEACHERS! The first part of the Country Studies materials about Canada is ready for you. It covers the following issues: General Information, Symbols and Holidays, History and Etymology, Government and Politics, Geographical Position, Climate and Wildlife. Be my guests. Help yourself to some downloads. You can do that by clicking HERE .

P.S. I apologize for some "blue words" remaining in the text. I'll do my best to eliminate them later. I am learning.

School Health Risks

2008-10-05T14:08:00.000-07:00

The 4th course students have submit some research works investigating and evaluated school health risks. Some of their opinions (with advice) were published in the Hyde Park bulletin as articles. If you haven't read them in the bulletin, you are welcome to enjoy them by clicking HERE .

Lycee's on the quest!

2008-10-05T13:57:00.000-07:00

Something new and challenging is awaiting for every student and teacher of the NAUKOVA ZMINA lycee this academic year. If you haven't read the news in the Hyde Park bulletin, you can do it by clicking HP BREAKING NEWS .

Teachers' Day!!!

2008-10-05T13:42:00.000-07:00

HAPPY TEACHERS' DAY, DEAR COLLEAGUES!
Just for a little encouragement I display an interesting document found in the Web.To see it click HERE . Compare your school life with your colleagues" from the past (nearly 100 years ago) and say: PRAISE THE LORD I WAS BORN ON MY BIRTHDAY!

Spanish-American War of 1898

2008-09-11T04:45:00.000-07:00

For some unknown (or well-known) reasons official history curriculum in Ukraine practically ignores events of the Spanish-American War of 1898. This fact creates numerous opportunities to manipulate people's views on the events of modern history. What were US troops doing on the Philippines in 1941? Is Puerto Rico a colony or an independent state? Why were the USA so much concerned about Vietnam? How can a Communist regime of Cuba tolerate an imperialistic US naval base in Guantanamo? I am quite convince that one cannot understand America without learning about that "splendid little war", which brought the USA onto the global scene. To read the material I have prepared click HERE .

September 1

2008-08-30T13:28:00.000-07:00

HAPPY NEW ACADEMIC YEAR!

I hope you will manage to keep your sound minds in your sound bodies and do your best to achieve highest possible academic results during this 2008 - 09 academic year.

Happy Independence Day!

2008-08-24T05:51:00.000-07:00

Happy Independence Day to all of you, folks! Stand tall and be proud of your native land! Unite and don't let anybody to deprive you of your identity. It's cool to be Ukrainian!

P.S. Hello, everybody. I am back after a long break. The first issue of the HYDE PARK wall periodical will include this editorial about the historic event we are celebrating today. You can find it HERE .

HAPPY EASTER!

2008-04-27T11:55:00.000-07:00

Christ has risen!
Indeed He has!
Happy Easter and nice vacations, everybody!

ENGLISH EXPRESS-2008

2008-04-24T11:35:00.000-07:00

On Friday, April 11, we held a linguistic contest called ENGLISH EXPRESS in the Lycee. The teams representing each group but the fourth course traveled around the facility "calling" at 7 stations. The stations were: READING, WRITING, PUZZLE(vocabulary), LISTENING, POETS' CORNER, ENGLISH-SPEAKING COUNTRIES and SPEAKING. Teachers prepared the tasks and performed the duties of the station masters. The fourth-course students assisted them.The results are the following:

The 1st PLACE was won by Grade 7-A (28 points), Group 13-E (29 points), Group 21-M (28 points) and Group 34-E (23 points).

The 2nd PLACE was won by Grade 7-C (26 points), Groups 11-E and 12-E (25 points each), Group 22-E (22 points), Group 31-M (20 points) and Group 32-E (19 points).

The 3rd PLACE was won by Grade 7-B (25 points), and Groups 23-E (21 points), 24-H (18 points), 35-H (17 points) & 33-H (16 points).

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS!

The most active team members who contributed significantly to their teams' results were: DENYS GRYSHCHENKO (7-C), OKSANA SADOVENKO (21-M), MYKOLA BONDARENKO (21-M), KARINA SIZOVA (21-M) & OLHA BEDOVA (31-M).

GOOD JOB, FOLKS! WELL DONE!

I hope the ENGLISH EXPRESS contest will become a tradition in the Lycee.

Ukraine - NATO

2008-03-31T14:12:00.000-07:00

Debates about Ukraine's potential joining the North Atlantic Treaty organization seem to cause discord among politicians. In a democratic society they are supposed to depend upon the citizens' opinion expressed through voting at free elections. by the time our country faces the alternative of joining NATO or not, our graduates will enjoy the rights of eligible voters. That is why THE HYDE PARK decided to study their attitude towards the NATO issue. The survey was conducted in March. You can see its results HERE . Three teachers were interviewed by the students. And you can read their interviews by clicking here: INTERVIEWS .

ENGLAND

2008-03-18T15:43:00.000-07:00

Attention 1st course students! here you can find information about England as the largest part of the United Kingdom. To reach the document please click HERE .

Humanitarian Aid Project

2008-03-02T14:58:00.001-08:00

At last I manage to publish the results of the project, main part of which (discussion) took place in January. Group 44-H was working on planning some humanitarian aid for an imaginary country devastated by every possible natural disaster. For the task itself refer to "Opportunities" Upper Intermediate coursebook, Module 8 "Global Issues", Communication Workshop. The initial discussion and the open democratic vote that followed gave this fictional territory the name: CHUKREN. In an hour three working groups presented their plans. Later, Dmytro Roy was given the working groups papers for further processing. He summarized their suggestions, and produced the paper, which can be seen by clicking HERE .

Learn about Native Americans

2008-02-29T15:17:00.000-08:00

CHIEF SITTING BULL

Just as I promised - enjoy the research done by Irene Petrashchuk of Group 34-E. You can find her work HERE .

Pocahontas - True Story

2008-02-28T14:23:00.000-08:00

After extra vacations caused by the flu epidemic menace (which tends to become traditional) we are back to school and working. I was extremely pleased with two dedicated learners of Group 34-E - Helen Mykhailenko and Irene Petrashchuk, who submitted their works on early American history. Today we publish Helen's product - the true (non-Disney) story of "Pocahontas". (Actually it was NOT her real name.) Enjoy, comment, learn and retell it to others (including teachers) and get your good marks. The original text can be found by clicking HERE .

Happy St.Valentine's Day!

2008-02-13T14:59:00.000-08:00

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL WHO IS ABLE TO LOVE ON THE OCCASION OF THE MOST ROMANTIC HOLIDAY OF THE YEAR! BE ROMANTIC!

COOPERATION WITH THE SENATE

2008-02-05T14:41:00.000-08:00

In cooperation with the Senate (not the US one, but the Lycee's one) I am publishing the article from the STATUS QUO newspaper about such a well-known celebrity as Anya RIZNICHENKO. It was written in December 2007 by Anya T. (Group 43-E), submitted by Dima Roy (Group 44-H), and translated by Irene Petrashchuk (Group 34-E) under my humble supervision. I hope to enhance the Senate's work on selecting new Persons-of-the-Month, and students' practicing as translators. Enjoy the full-color article by clicking HERE .

2008-02-05T14:30:00.000-08:00

Now I am ready to show you something so very much demanded by some students, particularly Miss Boiko of Group 13-E. The topic FREEDOM AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE UK can be viewed (and also printed and downloaded from HERE . Enjoy full-color version, copy and learn. It'll definitely be in the May credit tests.

Northern Ireland materials

2008-01-17T08:56:00.000-08:00

Attention 1st course students! Here is some new information for you to study. To see it click HERE

New Anecdotes

2008-01-15T11:38:00.000-08:00

Some more anecdotes are retold by the students of Group 34-E. Helen Mykhailenko presents her version of car theft HERE . Yaroslav Mishankov has submitted another one about archery. It is found HERE . Enjoy!

Group 12-E Leisure Profile

2008-01-14T13:01:00.000-08:00

This is the project done last autumn by the students of Group 12-E. Here are the results of the survey, compiled and edited by Sasha Barchuk and Anna Moroz. There still are some mistakes, but the first try is not bad at all. Well done, young ladies!

My Favorite Anecdote

2008-01-14T11:00:00.000-08:00

Wild, very wild West. Frontier. Afternoon. Siesta. A bored trigger-happy cowboy gunman is walking along Main Street, Dodge City (Nevada? Arizona? New Mexico? Whatever.)Dust is coming from under his high heels. His spurs clink-clank. A small boy is sitting on a sidewalk, playing in the dust. The cowboy stops, produces a lolly-pop out of the pocket and says: "Hey, orphan, wanna candy?"
"I'm not an orphan," replies the kid.
"Why?" the cowboy seems slightly puzzled.
"There my mom and dad're comin'" shows the boy.
The Main Street buildings' walls throb with the double thunder of the cowboy's 0.45 Peacemakers. The gunman holsters his weapons and produces the lolly-pop once again. "Hey, orphan, have a candy."
Frontier. Afternoon. Siesta. Dust.

Washington D.C. Pictures

2007-12-28T04:08:00.000-08:00

U.S. Capitol Building

White House

I am practicing in posting images that will illustrate some of the country studies lessons.

Cherry blossom in spring

"The Pencil" - George Washington Memorial

Lincoln Memorial

Vietnam War Memorial at Arlington National Cemetry

DOD (Department of Defense) building known as "The Pentagon"

The Hall of Dinosaurs in the Natural History Museum

Mr. Bean appears on the scene!

2007-12-27T15:41:00.000-08:00

To get access to a report by Iryna Petrashchuk of Group 34-E and commentaries about this great comedian CLICK HERE .

Jolly Christmas jokes!

2007-12-27T15:33:00.000-08:00

Enjoy a collection of X-mas related jokes and cartoons HERE

The collection has been prepared by Olga Kocherga of Group 34-E and me.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2007-12-26T12:26:00.000-08:00

Better late than never... But the ideas are great, aren't they? So, I wish you all the same!

Dog Tongue

2007-12-25T13:33:00.000-08:00

A Mouse being afraid of a Cat sits in its hole and hears a dog barking. "If there's a dog, there is no cat," the Mouse thinks and gets out of the hole. The cat is there all right. The clever bastard grabs the Mouse and eats it thinking how useful it is to speak a foreign language.

"IT'S GOOD TO SPEAK A FOREIGN LANGUAGE..."

Retold by Olga Kocherga, Group 34-E

US history - more materials about Valley Forge

2007-12-25T13:19:00.000-08:00

The surrender of Lord Cornwallis became possible because of what had happened at Valley Forge. Want to know more?

Valley Forge is considered to be the turning point of the American War for Independence.Iryna Titova and Nastya Tymoshenko of Group 44-H has submitted a story, which is the result of their research work. You can find it HERE .

More information about the USA

2007-12-25T13:05:00.000-08:00

Project work by Group 44-H has more results. Oleksiy Tormyshov adds his report on the FBI. You can find it HERE . For those who are interested, Oleksiy has mu-u-uch more information.

Benjamin Franklin

2007-12-13T02:54:00.000-08:00

Attention 2nd and 3rd course students! Your school-mates from the 4th course has prepared some materials for you, concerning the history of the USA. Benjamin Franklin's biography has been prepared by Oksana Pakholyuk (Group 44-H). Thank you, Oksana. It can be found HERE: FRANKLIN

Materials about Scotland

2007-12-13T02:48:00.000-08:00

Attention 1st course students! The conversational topic about Scotland can be found at: http://www.scribd.com/doc/902673/Scotland.

WALES

2007-12-11T02:14:00.002-08:00

Here you can find some materials about Wales as part of the UK. http://www.scribd.com/doc/886945/Wales2

2007-12-11T02:14:00.001-08:00

Here you can find the topic material about Wales as a part of the UK. Recommended for the first course. http://www.scribd.com/doc/886945/Wales2

2007-12-05T11:59:00.000-08:00

Hello dear users, students, parents, teachers and random visitors!
I have a rare privilege to welcome you at my blog, which has been created to accumulate information and resources that can help you to excel in your English, and to provide us for some virtual space to communicate independently of the school time-table. I hope to receive your projects, materials and comments, and I am eager to share mine.
Some free advice for the learner:
1. Playing computer games choose their original English versions.
2. Watching Hollywood movies choose originals with English subtitles.
3. Get an interesting English book for your pleasure reading.
4. Use every opportunity to speak English (including your classroom).
5. Enter new words and phrases into your vocabulary notebook.
6. Do not trust non-academic dictionaries, songs' lyrics, TV translators etc.
(Trust me.)
Faithfully yours,
Oleksiy Zabolotnyi