Balance, Not Burnout

Yesterday, we held an online English speaking practice for our advanced group. The topic of the session was “finding balance in life and learning how not to burn out”. We began with a simple but revealing warm-up: students looked at different everyday activities and asked themselves whether they would feel bored doing them for more than ten minutes. Even more interesting was deciding whether that boredom was personal — or something most people feel but rarely talk about. That question naturally led us to another one: Do we actually allow ourselves to be bored at all?

After such discussions, we moved into vocabulary that reflected the mood of the lesson — phrases about slowing down and resetting. Expressions like take a breather, have some downtime, and get into weekend mode weren’t just learned; they were lived through stories, opinions, and examples from real life.

Participants shared whether they agreed or disagreed with different statements about rest and productivity, explained their reasoning, and gave concrete examples of activities that help them truly switch off. The conversation felt honest, reflective, and surprisingly calming — the kind of discussion that reminds you that language learning can also be a form of self-care.

On our Telegram Channel we continued our conversation and focused on article reading related to the topic we had.

New Year, New Me!

Our first English speaking club session of the 2026 was all about change — the kind that looks exciting in theory but feels complicated in real life. We started by discussing real-life situations and ranking them from the ones that require the most changes to the least: becoming a vegetarian; moving to a different country; having children; retiring etc.

There was no single “right” order — but plenty of thoughtful arguments, personal examples, and respectful disagreement. It was a great way to warm up, practice high-level English, and realize how differently people experience change.

Later, we moved deeper into reflection. Participants chose meaningful statements.

We talked about:

• why people are afraid of making mistakes

• why small changes are often harder than big decisions

• why people stop trying when results don’t come quickly

• and why support from others matters when life feels overwhelming

These discussions naturally led us to the topic of habits — how easily we lose momentum and how difficult it can be to return once we stop.

One idea resonated strongly with everyone: miss once — it’s an accident; miss twice — it’s harder to come back; miss three times — and many people give up.

We didn’t talk about perfection.

We talked about consistency, self-compassion, and returning instead of quitting.

The atmosphere was open, thoughtful, and supportive — a space where adults could practice English confidently while discussing things that actually matter.

More sessions — and more real conversations — coming soon

Winter Wonder Show

We had our final English speaking class of the year for Kherson and Mariupol Youth and it was truly meaningful.

This time, we reflected on 2025 through interactive end-of-year questions on Wordwall, which helped create an open, engaging, and dynamic discussion. Step by step, our youth shared their thoughts about the year’s highs and lows, personal achievements, challenges, lessons learned, and moments that changed them.

Participants reacted to each other’s ideas, expressed agreement or different viewpoints, and practiced thoughtful listening in a warm and supportive atmosphere.

Our American friend, a VSPP, Alana Underwood presented some tips on how to make plans and set goals for 2026 easily.

English once again became more than a subject — it turned into a space for reflection, connection, and personal growth.

Thank you to everyone who joined, shared, and supported one another.

We’re closing the year with stronger communication skills and stepping into the next one with clarity and motivation.

It's the cheesiest time of the year!

Do you believe that December is the cheesiest time of the year?

Last practice, our adult English-speaking group dove into a fun, witty, and surprisingly meaningful topic — cheesiness. And yes, we fully embraced it.

During our online speaking practice, we explored the fine line between cheesy and sincere, using humor, irony, and advanced vocabulary to express nuanced opinions — all in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

We started off with polls and discussions about “how cheesy” we really are during the holiday season; we expanded our vocabulary with words like clichéd, cringeworthy, kitschy, sentimental, and heartfelt; Took part in lively debates where participants defended traditionally “cheesy” things like holiday rom-coms, office parties, and motivational New Year speeches.

The session combined high-level English practice with laughter, cultural reflection, and real-life communication. Participants spoke freely, challenged each other’s ideas, and discovered that sometimes clichés exist for a reason — because they connect people.

Thanks to everyone who joined and proved once again that improving English can be enjoyable, thoughtful, and a little bit cheesy — in the best possible way

Stay tuned for more speaking practices where language meets real life!

Holiday season is coming!

This week we enjoyed a truly special online speaking practice for Kherson and Mariupol youth on the topic “Holiday Season Is Coming”.

From the very beginning, the meeting was filled with a cozy, friendly, and supportive atmosphere, where everyone felt comfortable sharing ideas, opinions, and even dreams in English. We talked about how people prepare for winter breaks, how to manage end-of-year deadlines without stress, and imagined our perfect Christmas destinations and magical holiday festivals around the world.

To make learning even more enjoyable, our friend, a VSPP, Alana Underwood suggested us playing the “Alias” game, where participants described winter-related things, Christmas movies, and holiday songs without naming them. This activity brought lots of laughter and helped improve vocabulary, fluency, and confidence in a fun and natural way.

It was a great example of how English can be improved in an enjoyable, relaxed way — through communication, games, and real-life topics. Warm conversations, active participation, and positive energy made this session truly memorable.

Thanks to everyone who joined us and helped create such a welcoming space. The holiday spirit is here, and so is the joy of learning together.