How the Ukrainian Language Becomes Part of Foreigners’ Lives Thanks to ENGin: Speak Ukrainian

25/ 09/ 2024

Did you know that the Ukrainian language ranks second in the world for its melodiousness, right after Italian? It’s the language of poetry, history, and resilience. More than 40 million people around the world speak Ukrainian, carrying the soul of a nation deeply rooted in its traditions and culture. In today’s world, learning Ukrainian goes beyond linguistic curiosity — it’s a powerful act of solidarity and cultural exchange. Thanks to the ENGin: Speak Ukrainian subprogram, students from all corners of the world are learning Ukrainian, and today, we’re sharing some of their stories with you. Why Learning Ukrainian Matters to Non-native Speakers The Ukrainian language has a rich history filled with poetic beauty and resilience. As the ongoing war has drawn the global community’s attention to Ukraine, many people are discovering the significance of this language. For some, like Jean Tremon from Albany, New York, learning Ukrainian is a way to support Ukraine during difficult times. Jean, who developed a deep connection to the country through her daughter’s volunteer work in the Peace Corps, dreams of having simple, meaningful conversations in Ukrainian with her students and daughter. “Besides wanting to learn Ukrainian for its own sake, I want to learn it for Ukraine and to support it in this terrible time,” - Jean shared. For others, like George Murray, a private pilot from the Midwest, learning Ukrainian with ENGin complements his volunteer work as a mentor to Ukrainian drone operators. For George, Ukrainian is not only personally beautiful but also an essential communication tool that strengthens ties between Ukrainian professionals and their Western colleagues. His experience teaching professional English gives him a deep understanding of the learning process, which is enriched through personalized lessons with his ENGin tutor. Ukrainian is a beautiful, melodic language, said George. I plan to visit Ukraine once the war is over. We all hope for peace soon. The ENGin: Speak Ukrainian subprogram welcomes participants from diverse backgrounds, each driven by unique motivations. Ethan Hill, an avid language learner, found inspiration in his conversations with Ukrainian students who practice conversational English with him through ENGin. Wanting to reciprocate, he decided to immerse himself in learning Ukrainian. His tutor, Kateryna, skillfully weaves Ukrainian songs, poems, and other cultural elements into her lessons, making his learning experience both vibrant and effective. They are working hard to improve their English proficiency, so I thought it was only fair that I try to learn some Ukrainian, Ethan shared. With family roots in Chortkiv, Ternopil region, and a strong personal connection to Ukraine, Alexander Tolksdorf from Detroit, Michigan, began learning Ukrainian as a way to honor his heritage. Additionally, as an ENGin volunteer, Alexander was inspired by his students’ desire to improve their English speaking skills and decided to master Ukrainian, which later allowed him to stay connected with his family and be informed about current events in Ukraine from firsthand sources. His lessons with ENGin tutor Alina focus on conversational language, helping him engage in meaningful discussions with relatives from Ukraine. “I wanted to formally study the language to improve my ability to speak with family and friends from Ukraine, as well as understand Ukrainian-language news that provides more timely information about military and everyday situation in Ukraine,” Alexander said. An equally inspiring story is that of Anastasia from Odesa, who was adopted as a child and has lived in the United States ever since. For her, learning Ukrainian is a way to reconnect with the country where she was born. Although she didn’t have the opportunity to learn the language as a child, Anastasia became passionate about it as an adult and began attending lessons that allow her to feel at home, both linguistically and culturally. The program provides students with the structure needed to build a strong foundation in the Ukrainian language, allowing them to engage more deeply with the country and its rich traditions. “After having several lessons I feel like I have a much stronger foundation of how the language works since I never learned any grammar rules and even some basic words and phrases,” shared Anastasia. What Makes the ENGin: Speak Ukrainian Program Special The ENGin: Speak Ukrainian subprogram stands out for its personalized approach, where each student sets their own goals and learning plan. Participants are matched with highly qualified Ukrainian tutors who tailor their lessons to the students’ individual needs and learning pace. Whether students are beginners or have some experience with the Ukrainian language, they receive targeted support necessary for successful learning. Beyond just language learning, the program fosters deep personal connections between students and their tutors, helping participants immerse themselves in the linguistic and cultural fabric of Ukraine. The program’s goal is not only to teach the language but also to build bridges between cultures and communities, helping participants support Ukraine in one of the most meaningful ways — by embracing its language. If youre looking to embark on a meaningful language journey and connect with Ukraine, or if you know someone who would like to dive into the world of the Ukrainian language, the ENGin: Speak Ukrainian subprogram can help. Whether driven by Ukrainian heritage, professional ties, or a passion for the language, the program offers support and immersion in the learning process with various goals and learning speeds. Together, we continue to support Ukraine and celebrate the beauty of its language.

Thanks to the ENGin: Speak Ukrainian subprogram, students from all corners of the world are learning Ukrainian, and today, we’re sharing some of their stories with you.

Why Learning Ukrainian Matters to Non-native Speakers

The Ukrainian language has a rich history filled with poetic beauty and resilience. As the ongoing war has drawn the global community’s attention to Ukraine, many people are discovering the significance of this language. For some, like Jean Tremon from Albany, New York, learning Ukrainian is a way to support Ukraine during difficult times. Jean, who developed a deep connection to the country through her daughter’s volunteer work in the Peace Corps, dreams of having simple, meaningful conversations in Ukrainian with her students and daughter.

“Besides wanting to learn Ukrainian for its own sake, I want to learn it for Ukraine and to support it in this terrible time,” – Jean shared.

For others, like George Murray, a private pilot from the Midwest, learning Ukrainian with ENGin complements his volunteer work as a mentor to Ukrainian drone operators. For George, Ukrainian is not only personally beautiful but also an essential communication tool that strengthens ties between Ukrainian professionals and their Western colleagues. His experience teaching professional English gives him a deep understanding of the learning process, which is enriched through personalized lessons with his ENGin tutor.

“Ukrainian is a beautiful, melodic language,” said George. “I plan to visit Ukraine once the war is over. We all hope for peace soon.”

The ENGin: Speak Ukrainian subprogram welcomes participants from diverse backgrounds, each driven by unique motivations. Ethan Hill, an avid language learner, found inspiration in his conversations with Ukrainian students who practice conversational English with him through ENGin. Wanting to reciprocate, he decided to immerse himself in learning Ukrainian. His tutor, Kateryna, skillfully weaves Ukrainian songs, poems, and other cultural elements into her lessons, making his learning experience both vibrant and effective.

“They are working hard to improve their English proficiency, so I thought it was only fair that I try to learn some Ukrainian,” Ethan shared.

With family roots in Chortkiv, Ternopil region, and a strong personal connection to Ukraine, Alexander Tolksdorf from Detroit, Michigan, began learning Ukrainian as a way to honor his heritage. Additionally, as an ENGin volunteer, Alexander was inspired by his students’ desire to improve their English speaking skills and decided to master Ukrainian, which later allowed him to stay connected with his family and be informed about current events in Ukraine from firsthand sources. His lessons with ENGin tutor Alina focus on conversational language, helping him engage in meaningful discussions with relatives from Ukraine.

“I wanted to formally study the language to improve my ability to speak with family and friends from Ukraine, as well as understand Ukrainian-language news that provides more timely information about military and everyday situation in Ukraine,” Alexander said.

An equally inspiring story is that of Anastasia from Odesa, who was adopted as a child and has lived in the United States ever since. For her, learning Ukrainian is a way to reconnect with the country where she was born. Although she didn’t have the opportunity to learn the language as a child, Anastasia became passionate about it as an adult and began attending lessons that allow her to feel at home, both linguistically and culturally. The program provides students with the structure needed to build a strong foundation in the Ukrainian language, allowing them to engage more deeply with the country and its rich traditions.

“After having several lessons I feel like I have a much stronger foundation of how the language works since I never learned any grammar rules and even some basic words and phrases,” shared Anastasia.

What Makes the ENGin: Speak Ukrainian Program Special

The ENGin: Speak Ukrainian subprogram stands out for its personalized approach, where each student sets their own goals and learning plan. Participants are matched with highly qualified Ukrainian tutors who tailor their lessons to the students’ individual needs and learning pace. Whether students are beginners or have some experience with the Ukrainian language, they receive targeted support necessary for successful learning. Beyond just language learning, the program fosters deep personal connections between students and their tutors, helping participants immerse themselves in the linguistic and cultural fabric of Ukraine.

The program’s goal is not only to teach the language but also to build bridges between cultures and communities, helping participants support Ukraine in one of the most meaningful ways — by embracing its language.

If you’re looking to embark on a meaningful language journey and connect with Ukraine, or if you know someone who would like to dive into the world of the Ukrainian language, the ENGin: Speak Ukrainian subprogram can help. Whether driven by Ukrainian heritage, professional ties, or a passion for the language, the program offers support and immersion in the learning process with various goals and learning speeds. Together, we continue to support Ukraine and celebrate the beauty of its language.