USW teaches specialist English course to Ukrainian academics

English language tutors at the University of South Wales (USW) have delivered a specialist course to academics at the Kharkiv State Academy of Physical Culture (KSAPC) – the Ukrainian university twinned with USW – to help them conduct research and teach their students.

As part of the twinning agreement, which offers support and solidarity to colleagues and students affected by the war in Ukraine, USW’s Centre for International English taught the five-week online course in English for Academic Purposes (EAP) to researchers and lectures in Kharkiv.

Tutors Gunita Sapa and Gabby Albertelli met with their Ukrainian counterparts each week to help them learn and practice English, with particular emphasis on words and phrases they would need when teaching students or researching in their areas of expertise.

Viacheslav Mulyk, Rector [equivalent to Vice-Chancellor] of the Kharkiv State Academy of Physical Culture, said: “I’d like to express my sincerest gratitude for all the time, effort, and dedication that Gunita, Gabby and the team at USW have put into teaching our academics the English language. 

“The knowledge and expertise of the tutors have helped our academic staff to improve their language skills and become better communicators. We appreciate their patience and willingness to go the extra mile to ensure that our teachers fully understand the concepts and techniques that have been taught to them. All of the teaching methods have been effective and engaging, and the USW teachers have created a supportive and friendly environment to learn in.” 

Daria Okun (pictured above left), Associate Professor of Olympic and Professional Sports at KSAPC) said: “I would like to thank Gunita and Gabby for the experience, knowledge and skills that they generously shared with us. Thank you, USW, for the opportunity to gain new knowledge and skills in such a difficult time for our country.”

Tetiana Gryneva (pictured above centre), Associate Professor of Sports Tourism at KSAPC, added: “This course was perfectly matched to our needs. Our tutors considered that we are not usual English learners, they looked for special tasks and information to improve our academic English.”

Iryna Soina (pictured above right), Associate Professor of Ukrainian and Foreign Languages at KSAPC, said: “I thoroughly enjoyed attending Gunita’s classes and learning the intricacies of Academic English; these classes will help me transfer the scientific knowledge to my students. I also learned a lot about Wales, its culture, its people and their native language. I am very grateful to Gunita and Gabriella for the excellent classes, and I will miss them very much!”

Gunita said: “It was such an incredible experience for me to teach this group of academics. I am so grateful for the opportunity as I met such inspirational people! We laughed, shared our thoughts and experiences and bonded over the course of our lessons.”

Gabby added: “I was incredibly fortunate to have been given the opportunity to spend time with colleagues from Kharkiv over the past five weeks. It was one of the highlights of my teaching experience; a rewarding experience both for the Ukrainian academics and myself.”