Kindle and iPad in the library

On 18 of January our center gave a presentation on “Kindle and iPad in the library” for librarians from Sumy region. Two of the best-selling readers in today’s market Amazon’s Kindle and Apple’s iPad are available thanks to a contribution from the American Embassy in Kiev. While both are ground breaking and very cool technology, they both have their own pros and cons for being used as a reading device. Every person has different reading habits, and each device can be used in different ways to fit into those habits. We demonstrated how to use Kindle and iPad, how to install new application, how to search the library catalog, how to create bookmarks, notes, and highlights, and view the annotations you created on your Kindle.

Christmas Party

Welcome to English-Speaking Club. Last month we had a variety of topics discussed: 6.12 Soul mates.
13.12 American Music.
20.12 Christmas and New Year.

Winter is a wonderful time of holidays and presents. Everybody is in anticipation of marvelous celebration time. On that day waiting for New Year Eve and Christmas to come we shared joy with our volunteer Arden and were lucky to watch Christmas American movie and to have some cookies and sweets.

Conversation Circle

In December 7th and 14th were only two meetings of the Conversation Circle. The topic of the first one was “Hobbies”. People told about their hobbies, why they chose them and how they help them in everyday life. It is very interesting how many different hobbies have people. Some of them doing sports, some like to read, to cook or study foreign languages. Many people like visiting Cinemas and Theatres, some like to sing or dance and even knit. So it is makes no difference what kind of hobbies have people the point is they make them happier. During the second meeting people played special board games for English learners.

Christmas and New Year are Coming

On December 22, the kids of the orphanage took part in Christmas party.
They got a lot of information about Christmas and New Year around the world and knew many interesting facts about these holidays in the USA. Games and a lot of competitions were organized and participants of the event took part in different contests with sweet prizes. They declared New Year poems, sang songs and played different games.
We look forward to seeing them at the next time in our WOA center.

Seminar for English Teachers

On 20 of December Window on America center hosted an event for the teachers of English. Our guests learned about our resources and services and especially about events that are organized in our center for English learners. We also acquainted our guests with iPads and Kindle, with the books collection, devoted to the methods of teaching English as a Second Language and presented the newest Internet-resources available to the teachers.
Our guests expressed great interest in learning about Window on America program, our resources and of course Window on America Center events.

Drawing Competition.

Welcome to English-Speaking Club. Last month we had a variety of topics discussed: 1.11 Birthday Party, 8.11 How do you feel, 15.11 Idioms and Set Expressions, 22.11 Thanksgiving Day, 29.11 Drawing Competition.
Are you found of drawing? Have you got imagination? You can come and show your drawing skills. Our participants worked in pairs and the task was to copy the picture but….without seeing it! One of the partners was given the picture and he gave instructions to the other partner, so that he could draw the picture without looking at it. In the end we presented our pieces of art and results were amusing!

Conversation Circle

Window on American Center hosted this month meetings of Conversation Circle for our patrons. In November the sessions devoted to various topics “Halloween”, “Developing countries”, “Creation of a magazine”, “AIDS”, “Thanksgiving Day”, were conducted by Jennifer Alton, US Peace Corps TEFL Volunteer. Discussions were very lively, useful and insightful. Our patrons asked many questions, shared their views, participated in several quizzes and games. All participants were glad to improve their English in such a wonderful way.