A Message for the Freshers

Hello our dear freshers! This is my last but not least blog post in which I would like to give my feedback on this six fulfilling months of  the course of Vocabulary of Modern English and give you some tips how to make the grade. Anyway, actions speak louder than words. So, let me encroach upon a few minutes of your attention.

To tell you the truth, your expectations will not be undermined. During this productive period of time you will learn how to write blog posts, use online tools and web-sites, etc. Needless to say, that you will improve with practice and enrich your active vocabulary. For example: I didn’t stifle creativity while accomplishing a great diversity of tasks because our instructor fostered initiative. Now I have an excellent grasp of editing a first-page headline of the quality newspaper, creating a speaking avatar, a mindmap, a fake facebook profile of a celeb, etc. I also had an opportunity to imagine myself an immigrant who sought refuge in the USA around a century ago, create a timeline of a historic figure who was a distinguished scholar and made a breakthrough in one of the science fields. Mind you, we also made videos for different vocabulary items, created comics about the love at first sight,  brochures about the importance of eating home-cooked food and avoiding sedentary lifestyle, and even designed posters in which we tried to find solutions how to protect our environment and switch to renewable energy resources.

It is my firm conviction that this course is not as easy as ABC and you should be ready that it’ll be crash and demanding. However, don’t make a snap decision because it seems to be a bit difficult only on the surface. I take the view that you’ll definitely grasp the importance of this course, show your considerable initiative and mental agility. You will cover a lot of ground in these vocabulary classes but in order to get through this course and get full marks you don’t need to burn the midnight oil, cram boring set texts, or always have your nose in a book. Just don’t skip the classes, jot down new words and expressions, learn them by heart, keep your notebook, don’t let your concentration wander, accomplish all the tasks on time, and then you’ll be a straight A student and will pass all your modules with flying colours.  

All in all, don’t put your feet up and you will notice a marked improvement in your language skills. It is said, “Practice makes perfect” and there is always room for improvement. By and large, I wish you always have thirst for knowledge, be a quick learner, and simply enjoy your study!

Green Ukraine 2030

It is common known that Ukraine is one of the most marvelous countries in the world. There are picturesque meadows and valleys with blossoming flowers, copses of oak and pine trees, thriving forests, beautiful lakes and rivers, the Carpathian and Crimean ridges with their summits, etc. It is also famous for its fertile soil which is called black humus earth. However, could you imagine that one day all of these can disappear?

In the process of constructing new high-rise buildings and factories we have already started to move towards environmental catastrophe. Such issues as climate change, changing weather patterns, global warming, and greenhouse effect are our main concerns now. We have already faced the problem of searing heat, droughts, suffering widespread flooding, and even earthquakes which were not typical for Ukraine 20 years ago. Moreover, a lot of animal species are on the verge of extinction. That’s why it is absolutely vital to change our ways in order to prevent us and our country from the dire consequences.

First of all, factories should stop dumping toxic waste, chemicals, and other substances into the ponds, rivers, and lakes because it causes water pollution and extinction of fishes and shellfish. It’s my firm conviction that government should introduce green taxes for those factories which don’t recycle waste. People should also collect garbage separately and dispose of it. They should minimize using of plastic and glass products because they are neither biodegradable nor eco-friendly. It’s better to use paper products which are disposable.

We should reduce our carbon footprint. For example: people can switch to hybrid cars, or better still to bicycles. It may help to minimize harmful vehicle emissions and will have positive effect on public health. People should also stop deforestation because when they cut down trees they also wipe out natural habitat of animals in the wild. Furthermore, just bear in mind that forests are also the lungs of Earth.

What is more, we should think about energy conservation. It is common known that our consumption of natural recourses sometimes is irrational. That’s why we should use it sparingly and switch to renewable energy resources. For instance: although it might sound like a daunting task, we could use solar and wind energy by using solar heating and offshore wind farms. If it seems to be a long-term solution for you, I can offer you to start using energy-saving eco light bulbs or rechargeable batteries. It will also help to conserve energy.

Besides, we can involve in this project our Ukrainian schools and universities. For example: we can adopt practices of Canadian Earth Rangers and create an analogue of this organization in Ukraine but both for pupils and students. I take the view that they may also help to find solutions how to protect environment and will make useful contributions to our enterprise.

By and large, take up the initiative and don’t put your feet up. Try to become eco-friendly even today and keep in mind that changes begin with you! 

Students' Healthy Lifestyle Guide

Students’ life is really highly-charged because these young people should manage to do a lot of tasks simultaneously. However, among attending the lectures, preparing their homework, getting full marks, passing exams, and maintaining a social life, it can be difficult for students to find time to maintain a healthy lifestyle. As a result, they are at risk of fatigue, losing their appetite, eating disorder, obesity, and even can be diagnosed with heart diseases. I read diverse feature articles, observed the behaviour of my peers, watched chat shows, and arrived at a decision that there are Top 4 causes which may affect drastically and lead to health problems.

Number one is unhealthy diet. It’s common knowledge that students always run out of time. That’s why they often prefer junk imperishable food to organic food. However, it’s not a sensible decision. The fact is that the ready meals or processed food are overfill of a great diversity of food additives and actually are GM food. That’s why it’s better to avoid eating greasy chips, hamburgers, and stodgy food even if you are starving. Students should also try not to drink soft drinks because they are high in sugar and fructose corn syrup. If a person consumes these products regularly, he/ she may face the prospect of food poisoning, obesity, and even heart attack. Moreover, students should also bear in mind to have a hearty breakfast but not a quick snack. The entire meal should be done to a turn and it would be perfect if it’ll be home-cooked food. Just be smart and eat smart!

The second problem is connected with pernicious habits. Students should avoid excessive smoking and alcohol intake. Girls also shouldn’t go on liquid diets, take diet pills, and other diet supplements because it may cause eating disorder. Keep in mind that ONLY doctors could prescribe you some tablets.

The third one is sedentary lifestyle. Unfortunately, a lot of students don’t have even a rough idea of fitness and work-out. After a busy day at university they don’t have a burning desire to do some exercises. However, they should have second thoughts. Students may take up simple exercises such as calf-rise, crunch, flutter, sit-up, jogging, etc. Doing exercises and following a fitness program is an excellent way not only to keep fit and burn the calories up but also to improve their endurance, fill themselves with positive emotions, and unwind after a hectic day.

The last but not least is lack of adequate sleep. A vast majority of students burn the midnight oil in order to pass exams with flying colours. However, they shouldn’t make a tough choice and go without sleep. Sleeping at least eight hours a night will help promote regular glucose metabolism and limit weight gain.

By and large, students should take to these pieces of advice in order to be given a chance to increase their longevity.

Connections

Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover

I know Rosy from early childhood when she was a dumpy girl and had chubby cheeks with freckles, a slightly upturned nose, and sleek ginger hair. I always admired her because she was as good as gold, a real know-all and the top of class. Moreover, she was trustworthy and never turned down my requests for help. Unfortunately, I don’t keep in mind a day when I struck up a friendship with her but 11 years of studying together at school only cemented it. Nowadays, we both are the second-year students and, as you may guess, we are close friends. Nothing has changed in Rosy over the years except for her appearance but she became even better. She is tall now, has curly auburn hair and a slender waist.

One day I invited Rosy round for a dinner. I knew that Jim, our mutual acquaintance, had asked her out. That’s why I couldn’t wait to know the details of their date. However, when she came to me and couldn’t keep her temper I understood that something went wrong.

However, it was a life lesson not only for Rosy. This story also made useful contributions to my life. All in all, you should be very sensible in order not to suffer the consequences later because love at first sight can sometimes fall short of expectation.

His story, Her story

Oleksandr Dovzhenko

The man I would like to tell you about made a breakthrough in the film industry and won the respect of the whole world. Needless to say that he also made useful contributions to the development of Ukrainian literature and cinema. Serhiy Eisenstein said that he was a new man of cinema, a master of his genre, a master of his individuality. It was Oleksandr Dovzhenko.

Oleksandr Dovzhenko was born on September 10, 1894 in the village Viunyshche, Sosnytsia district, Chernihiv Governorate in the Russian Empire. In 1911 he applied to Hlukhiv Teachers’ Institute, and after graduation in 1914 he worked as a teacher.  That time he also became an activist of Ukrainian independence movement. In 1917 he wanted to serve in the army but he didn’t go to the war because he had military service exemption certificate. That’s why, he decided to apply to Kyiv Commercial Institute where he had the ability to get a scholarship. However, his hopes were dashed because he didn’t gain good marks there and his attempts to study failed miserably. In 1918 he also took part in anti-conscription protest with other students who didn’t want to join the army of Ukrainian Hetman Pavlo Skoropadsky. He assisted in civil unrests and military operations against the Bolsheviks, was the prisoner of concentration camp, and then was taken prisoner during the Polish-Soviet War in 1920. For 2 years Dovzhenko was working as a diplomat and had a lot of influence. His job encompassed diverse activities such as meeting with councillors, signing treaties, negotiating agreement for the exchange of prisoners of war, etc.

When Oleksandr Dovzhenko was thirty-three years old, he decided to try and become a film director.  His film Zvenyhora came out in 1928 and attracted interest of critics. The next one was Arsenal which made a bad impression on Ukrainians because it looked like pro-communist publicity campaign. However, his masterpiece Earth (1930) caused a sensation and European film makers took Dovzhenko seriously. Unfortunately, it produced the opposite effect on Soviet critics who found the film Earth counter-revolutionary. Dovzhenko suffered the consequences and it was difficult not to lose his nerve because he had to make films about Soviet industrialisation. The outcome was predictable and his film Ivan was doomed to failure.

In 1941 Dovzhenko was awarded the Stalin Prize for the film Shchors. During World War II he also served as a wartime journalist for the Red Army. It is my firm conviction that he made a considerable contribution to Ukrainian history because a vast number of his unique shots helped military historians to reconstruct the course of events of World War II. He didn’t miss the point and showed the horror of war, fierce fighting, underlying causes of the dismal failures, etc.

One of his crowning achievements was creating a new genre of literature which was an adapted screenplay. In 1955 Oleksandr Dovzhenko wrote his famous autobiographical novel Zacharovana Desna. Unfortunately, he ran out of time to make a screen version of it and enjoy the fruits of his hard work. Talented Ukrainian writer, film director, and screenwriter passed away on November 25, 1956. A year later, the Kyiv Film Studios was named after him in his honour.

On the Move

Dear Victoria,

Thank you so much for your support, useful pieces of advice and sorry for not writing for so long. How are you and your family? Hope everything is going well. Since my family and I have immigrated to the USA a lot of things have changed. I’ve got so much to tell you!

To begin with, it was 1916 when my family began to plan that long journey overseas. We had no desire to leave our native land. However, we decided to flee the war and seek refuge in the USA in order not to be uprooted from Budapest. In advance of our departure we made some travel arrangements. For example: we packed in our luggage some cloth, shoes and food, bought tickets on the steamship, etc. The next day our family was on the board. We showed our passports, skipper stamped them, and we set off.

When you told me about your unique experience of immigrating, you mentioned that it was important to be very careful with whatever we brought. That’s why, we didn’t chill out and kept a close watch on our luggage. Before our arrival we passed through health and legal inspections at Ellis Island.

We visited a series of inspectors. However, the most strange and terrifying for me was an “eye man” who turned up my eyelids. My parents told me later that he did it only to ensure that eyes were healthy. Finally, after 2 weeks of tiring voyage we docked in New York. When I disembarked from the steamship, I saw that the port was not off the beaten track. Mind you, there was a stunning view of vibrant city from the quay.

Nowadays my family and I live in tenement apartment building in the Lower East Side.

Frankly speaking, I thought that for the first time we would be stranded because there would be prejudice against our ethnic minority and it would be difficult to find a job. As it happened, it was only stereotypical myth. At first, my parents and I were working in the clothing factory, while my 2 younger brothers were working as newsies. Today, our daily life is the same as in your family. We have our own workshop and sew ornamental cloth. We also do our bit at home. For instance: when my mom and I do the laundry and cook, my father with my brothers get the coal, sweep and mop. Probably, you remember our flat. Nothing has changed and there are still bedroom, parlour, and kitchen. We also put aside some money and bought a stove. If to talk about pastime, I can’t say that I often laze around. However, if I have free time I like to go for a wander in the open air. I also bear in mind the first time when you showed me the Nickelodeon and we watched a movie with Charlie Chaplin. I still go there with my brothers once or twice in a month. Of course, sometimes I have nostalgia for my native country but I’ve already got accustomed to my new life.

Well, that’s all for now. Please write back and tell me all your news. I hope we’ll get in touch as quick as possible. Take care!

All the best

Yours,

Frederika

  

News Travels Fast

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Education Matters

Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world” and I absolutely agree with him. It is my firm conviction that each person, who wants to make the grade, grasps the importance of education. It is common knowledge that if you want to get education, you have to attend an educational establishment. However, what is the aim of modern education and how teachers can enhance children’s thirst for knowledge?

Opinions are divided… For the great majority of people from the old school children should hit the books and cram boring set texts in order to become teacher’s pets and get full marks. The teacher’s aim of the lesson is only to give the pupils a rough idea of the subject. The other side of the coin is that there are people who keep up with time and have different train of thought. For example: it was a great pleasure for me to listen to Dr Sugata Mitra and Sir Ken Robinson who gave TED talks.

I couldn’t agree more with Dr Sugata Mitra that a lot of schools are obsolete and produce the people who must be identical to each other.

In my opinion, teachers make an unforgivable mistake, when they teach children what to think but not how to think. I also like his idea about children and the Hole in the Wall. Unfortunately, there are a lot of gifted children in the Third World countries who haven’t access to education. To my mind, such streetside computers may help them to acquire knowledge easier. Furthermore, the Granny Cloud may also be very useful because of self-organization of the educational process.

I also bear in mind the lecture of Sir Ken Robinson. It’s true that teachers are the lifeblood of the success of schools. However, being a teacher is a natural talent because this person should demonstrate an ability to cover a lot of ground in a 45-minute lesson. Anyway, children’s concentration in class may wander. That’s why, I take the view that it is also important to prepare a lesson full of absorbing and cognitive material in order to light the spark of curiosity in pupils and keep their attention.

By and large, schools play an important role in educational process and we cannot put an equality sign between the human teachers and computers. It is said, “Practice makes perfect” and there is always room for improvement.