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“I want to find a job, where I’ll be able to communicate in English and improve my skills because I understand that practice is the most important part in learning,” graduate of English language course and Donbas war veteran Maksym Muravytskyi said.
Muravytskyi arrived at the first course with an elementary level of English. After four months of studying, he jumped to upper intermediate level.
“The first month was very difficult -for all our whole group, I think. We kept joking that the month-one program had to be extended to month-two. But then I gained confidence, some skills, and the help of the teachers was really making a difference. At the end of the day, I’m very happy with how it turned out for our whole group,” Muravytskyi said.
Muravytskyi found out about the opportunity for servicemen to learn English when he was still on the frontline in Donbas. After fulfilling his contract with the army, he joined the course.
The course was focused on real-life language skills including the ability to write a resume and handle a job interview in English. Gameplay techniques used to enhance the learning process included throwing a ball while memorizing new words.
“To celebrate the completion of the course I was given this ball, as a symbol of our successful and fun learning, signed by all the students. Right here. Yes, I am boasting,” English language teacher Hanna Belova said.
Belova has been working with ex-military for two years now. The focus is on the practical use of the language, she says.
“We sing songs, watch videos and try to talk as much as possible. The course, in general, is designed to make students communicate as much as possible, to get them talking,” Belova said.
The course is part of the NATO program to support veterans. It’s been active in Ukraine since the year 2000. It aims to ease the post-war social adaptation of ex-military.
In 2015, NATO began expanding its activity in Ukraine. Close to 800 veterans went through the program last year alone.
“We held 36 courses in 14 different regions. Almost half of the students were former participants of the Anti-Terrorist Operation or the Joint Forces Operation. Also, from 2014 to 2018, we held seminars on psychological rehabilitation for 8,000 militaries,” Executive Director of Ukraine-NATO programme Oleksandra Ohorodnyk said.
This year the organizers plan for 900 Ukrainian veterans from all over Ukraine to complete the English course. Ninety percent of the graduates succeed in finding a job.
