Small Talk. Big Impact

This week’s English speaking session for advanced group was all about something we all do—but rarely think about: small talk.

Together, we explored how short, simple conversations can actually have a big impact:

building trust

creating connection

opening doors to deeper conversations

Through interactive activities and games, participants practiced turning “boring” everyday phrases into natural, engaging conversations, learned how to keep small talk alive, and—just as importantly—how to exit conversations politely and confidently.

What stood out most was this realization:

small talk isn’t about being interesting — it’s about being interested.

Lots of laughter, honest reflections, real-life situations, and practical language that can be used right away — at work, in social settings, and in everyday life.

Grateful for this group and the energy they bring to every session

Small talk may be small, but its impact is greater.

Inspirational Voices of Freedom

First English Speaking Practice of the Year – New Round Begins

We were happy to start the first English practice of the 2026 for youth from Kherson and Mariupol — and it truly felt like the start of a new inspiring round of sessions.

This meeting was all about leadership, freedom, and doing for others even when it’s hard. Together, we explored what real leadership means today — not titles, but relationships, teamwork, empathy, and positive change. Participants reflected on different leadership styles, shared their thoughts, and discovered their own strengths as collaborators and change-makers.

A special thank to our guest speaker Alana Underwood, a VSPP, for guiding the discussion, sharing insights, and creating a safe, supportive space where every voice mattered.

This was just the beginning. More sessions are coming, and we’re excited to continue this journey of growth, confidence, and English practice together.

Thanks to all participants for their openness and engagement. See you at the next meeting!

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.