Long Escapes and Language Education

A bit of an absence in blogging from me is usually the result of a bitter, uninspiring grip of winter, or due to traveling. In this case, it was the latter as the former is still waiting to pounce. Two weeks ago, I headed to Ukraine's capital city of Kiev for the U.S. Interagency Conference on English Language Programs in Ukraine. As even the acronym for that one is a mouthful, I've just been creatively referring to it as "The Conference."

The Conference was actually an amazing gathering of many of the U.S.-sponsored English language programs here (such as Peace Corps, Fulbrite, Voice of America, Window on America, our English Language Fellows Program, etc.), as well as a good selection of Ukrainian English teachers from around the country. The point of the 2-day event was to brainstorm and develop ideas that these organizations, as well as ESL teachers from across Ukraine, can use to facilitate communication and cooperation together (since now many of them are quite separated and do not commonly share resources, ideas, etc.).

The other two English Language Fellows and I even had an opportunity to speak about our current projects and positions:


It was also a great opportunity to meet Ukrainian ESL instructors and hear about their struggles, challenges, and strategies with English language education in this country. Definitely was an inspiration in helping me decide with what to focus on in my own projects at the university in Lugansk for this year.


While in Kiev, I also had the opportunity to attend a TEA (Teaching Excellence and Achievement) Program workshop. The TEA Program in Ukraine is also funded by the U.S. Department of State and provides teachers of English as a foreign language (EFL) great opportunities for teacher-training, travel to the United States, and resources for learning (and thereby teaching) more about American culture and studies.



Finally, to wrap things up, we had our English Language Fellows Program orientation at the U.S. Embassy, giving tools and advice to help us fulfill our project goals for our time in Ukraine. And I must say, those Department of State folks sure know how to take care of us traveling teacher types!

So, one week in Kiev, and I came out of it with a good dose of inspiration, unique perspectives from Ukrainian teachers, good conversation with many U.S. diplomats and government agents, a lot of grazing from the hotel buffet, and even a little rainy-weather sightseeing thrown in (photos and blog post to come).