The process of switching from one language to another is quite complex, since it’s not only about using different grammar or vocabulary, it’s also about changing one’s worldview. Usually, a strong motivation lies behind such a decision. Considerable effort is needed to achieve this, especially if one can easily switch back to their usual language.
We have compiled a list of courses that may help boost your motivation to speak Ukrainian and will offer you some education opportunities.
Courses
They will be suitable for those willing to deploy a complex approach to learning the language. The majority of these courses offer lessons in grammar and orthography, as well as help improve one’s theoretical knowledge of Ukrainian and practice it.
Ukrainian in 27 lessons
This course can be completed on the platform Prometheus. It has been developed by the project team ‘Ye-mova’ (the Ukrainian for ‘here’s a language‘ – translator’s note) and the volunteer initiative ‘Free Ukrainian courses‘ (the public organization ‘The Ukrainian World‘).
The course is designed for beginners taking their first steps in the language (A1 and A2). Participants are offered to watch video lectures, their transcripts as well as useful materials and other supplementary resources. They will also have to take tests
Upon the completion of the course a certificate may be issued. To learn more about the course and to join those learning the Ukrainian language go to this website.
The course is also available on the platform Ye-mova. Aside from that, the courses ‘Ukrainian for physicists’, ‘Ukrainian for people of different professions’ and others are available.
The courses are free of charge.
‘Revive Ukrainian in yourself‘
This is a 14-day course designed by a philologist, Kseniya Taranenko. It will suit both those who have never learned Ukrainian and those who used to learn it at school but have not spoken it in their everyday life ever since. It contains 24 video lessons with 12 home tasks as well as two live sessions dedicated to answering students’ questions. The course also implies testing. Participants of the course will need approximately 40 minutes a day in order to brush up on their command of Ukrainian. 1000 people have already taken the course, having improved their oral skills.
The third group of participants started taking the course on June 27. By clicking on the following link you will learn more details about the course.
There are 3 plans with the price ranging from 400 UAH to 900 UAH (about 10 and 22 USD respectively – translator’s note) on the condition you are entitled to a discount.
Language is our weapon
A practical Ukrainian course from the Ukrainian language school ‘Shum‘ (the Ukrainian for ‘noise‘ – translator’s note). The course will be ideal for those willing to switch from Russian or improve the knowledge of their native language. A 3-week course offering 15 video lectures and practical lessons every Friday. Every Saturday participants are offered to join speaking clubs. The application process for a third group of participants has already started. To stay updated you can follow the school’s page on Instagram. ‘Shum‘ also offers more advanced courses, such as ‘Ideal Ukrainian‘ and ‘Ideal orthography‘.
Price: 400 UAH (50% of the price is donated to the Armed Forces of Ukraine – hereinafter: AFU)
United
The organizer of this project is the initiative ‘Teach for Ukraine‘ that pursues an ambitious goal of supporting 1 000 000 people switch to Ukrainian by the end of the current year. Another 28-day course titled ‚United‘ has been running since June 1. Its participants are offered educational materials and plenty of tasks to improve their oral skills. The course also includes services of a therapist. Sessions are held both online and offline. 11 thousand people from 12 Ukrainian cities and amalgamated territorial communities have participated in the course so far. For more details go to the Facebook page of the initiative.
The course is free.
Language marathon from Andriy Shymanovskyi
The blogger Andriy Shymanovskyi is helping people polish up their knowledge of Ukrainian while also supporting the AFU, since part of his proceeds from the course is donated to the acquisition of pickup trucks for the AFU. The course lasts 3 weeks and includes 14 video lessons, 21 live sessions, home tasks, various masterclasses and a speaking club. A fifth group of participants is now being formed. You can read feedback about the marathon as well as apply for it on its Instagram page.
Price. The plans are ‘Javelin‘ (includes video lessons, tests and home tasks) – 400 UAH, ‘Bayraktar’ (comprises the plan ‚Javelin‘ plus individual language analysis, supplementary masterclasses and access to speaking clubs) – 800 UAH, ‘Verba‘ (the Ukrainian for ‚willow‘ – translator’s note) (includes the plan ‚Bayraktar‘ plus educational support, more video lessons, online sessions with a teacher and analysis of the participant’s progress) – 1200 UAH.
Speaking clubs
This option will be ideal for those willing to overcome a language barrier and those not able to use theoretical knowledge in practice. To learn a language one is supposed to not only know the rules, but to speak a language, to make it part of their life.
Ukrainian speaking club in Odesa
A team of actors, directors and philologists have gathered together to support those who have switched to Ukrainian in their everyday life or those who are intent on doing so. They offer learners to discuss interesting topics, participate in linguistic games and do exercises aimed at expanding their vocabulary and polishing up language skills. After two months of its existence the club has managed to hold 31 meetings both online and offline, having also raised over 45 thousand UAH (about 1100 USD – translator’s note) for the needs of the AFU.
Speaking club sessions take place three times a week.
Meetings are held in different districts of Odesa as well as online.
To take part in club sessions one is expected to make a donation (all proceeds go to the AFU)
On the initiative’s Telegram channel you can apply for speaking club sessions as well as check out the event announcements. On Instagram you will learn more about organizers and participants of the club and to read posts dedicated to language learning.
Native speaking club
The public organization ‘Project R.I.D.‘ (‘rid’ is the Ukrainian for ‘kin’ – translator’s note) offers you to join their speaking club where interesting topics are discussed. For each topic (such as ‘Love‘, ‘Time‘, ‘Space‘, ‘Memory‘) excerpts from works of Ukrainian writers are prepared by volunteers. Participants of the club read out an excerpt out loud and then proceed with its discussion, at the same time learning about Ukrainian culture. The club will help you practice speaking, reading Ukrainian authors and surround yourself with the Ukrainian-speaking environment.
Speaking club convenes every week.
Sessions are held via Google Meet, 3-4 participants work with one teacher.
Participation in the club is free.
So far the first group of participants (50 people) have completed a 2-month course. A new group was recruited in July. More information can be found on the project’s page on Instagram.
A Ukrainian speaking club
The club has been launched by the community called INVERIUM. Prior to the war the community used to host cultural and educational events, bring in different experts, artists and lecturers. The new club has been formed to create a conducive atmosphere for those dealing with the language barrier and willing to brush up their oral skills.
The club sessions take place every Tuesday or Thursday.
Sessions are held via Zoom.
There is no fixed price. Participants are expected to make a voluntary donation.
Information about meetings and other details about the club sessions can be found on its Telegram channel. Also, founders of the club publish interesting posts about the Ukrainian language while also sharing information on different opportunities.
Thoughts of those who have switched to Ukrainian
It is useful to know thoughts of those who have made a transition to Ukrainian and who can share their wisdom in this regard. Mariyka from the city of Severodonetsk switched to Ukrainian last November. She is now 15 and continues to improve her knowledge.
‘It is important to understand why you begin speaking Ukrainian, why it is important to you and what motivates you. This thought helps you keep going every time you have doubts or lose your motivation, or if you find yourself in a Russian speaking environment,‘ Mariyka says.
The girl has also shared a few pieces of advice:
- There is no such thing as an ideal standard of Ukrainian. I do not see any point cramming words in a dictionary or any other popular reference book on the correct usage of Ukrainian. I mean, you should have a book you can consult, but be careful not to overdo it. The language you speak still reflects you and your special features;
- It’s better to make a mistake while talking than to not talk at all;
- Tell your friend/husband/wife/grandma/grandpa/dad or yourself about your day. Some little things and everyday household chores are also important;
- Find support in everything that surrounds you, from a Ukrainian-speaking neighbor to a writer from 20th century who also switched to Ukrainian;
- Your life will get much easier once you take time to thoughtfully read a book written in nice Ukrainian.
Mariyka advises reading Yuriy Vynnychuk and Vasyl Holoborodko. She considers Vasyl Sklyar, Volodymyr Malyk, Halyna Pahutyak and Dara Korniy (modern Ukrainian writers – translator’s note) her ‚teachers‘.
