Power Outages

During our last inspiring English-speaking session with our adult learners we discussed an essential topic “Power Outages” and it turned out to be a true lesson in flexibility and resilience. We started our class on Zoom, practicing vocabulary and real-life situations connected to electricity, power outages, and unstable connection — something everyone in Ukraine deals with almost daily. We discussed how to explain technical problems in English, learned new expressions, and shared personal experiences of recent blackouts.

But right in the middle of the lesson…the power went out. For many groups, that would be the end — but not for us.

Within a few minutes, we smoothly moved our discussion to Telegram and continued practicing in the chat. It became a perfect real-life exercise.

Despite the challenges around us, the atmosphere stayed warm, supportive, and full of humor. We proved once again that learning never stops — not even when the electricity does.

Thank you to everyone who stayed connected (in every possible way!), adapted quickly, and kept the conversation alive. Your motivation is truly inspiring.

The importance of keeping in touch

Do you think it’s essential to keep in touch with people you were connected ti? During our last English-speaking session for Kherson and Mariupol youth, we explored the topic of “Relationships and Communication.” The meeting was full of lively discussions, new vocabulary, and meaningful reflections on what helps us build strong connections with others.

We kicked off with a fun warm-up activity called “Hot Takes,” where participants shared their opinions on thought-provoking statements — for example, “It’s OK to have many possessions.” Everyone had to agree or disagree and explain their choice, which set the tone for spontaneous and confident speaking.

Next, we moved on to learning and practicing phrasal verbs related to communication — such as keep in touch, speak up, make up, and count on etc. Using interactive slides, we discussed real-life examples and shared personal stories:

What’s the best way to keep in touch with friends who live far away?

How do you usually make up after an argument?

What qualities do you look for in someone you can count on?

With engaging visuals and friendly atmosphere, participants practiced not only their English but also valuable communication skills — listening, expressing opinions, and supporting one another.

Great thanks to our friend, a VSPP, Alana Underwood for being a part of our group