My New Students

I have begun teaching English and American Sign Language (ASL) to deaf middle and high school students here in Luhans'k.  They are full of enthusiasm and curiosity.  Working with them is not a struggle, as they are very attentive and full of questions.  The kids are a joy to teach, and to be quite frank, they are far more motivated than the students I work with in the U.S.  Maybe it is because I am an American, but maybe it is also because they are more serious about learning than the students I normally teach.  I don't know.  I would also have to observe them working with their daily classroom teachers, as well.

Teaching these youth is an interesting process. My new friend Sasha translates my spoken English into Russian, and Helen (the sign language interpreter) translates his Russian into Ukrainian Sign Language (USL).  It actually works very well, and we are all learning from each other.  It is quite enjoyable.

I have noticed that there are some similarities between USL and ASL.  For example, the sign for “same” is, well, the same.  The sign for fish is also the same in ASL and USL.  I wondered about the reasons for the similarities.  Did similar signs develop naturally, or were they influenced by the importation of ASL signs from the U.S.?   I asked Helen about this, and she is fairly certain that the similarities between USL and ASL developed naturally and independently of each other, especially as there haven't been many, if at all, American educators of the deaf visiting Ukraine. 

Lesson Preparations

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Monday I start teaching English to deaf and hard of hard of hearing Ukrainian & Russian high school students.  It is my understanding that Dr. Krsek wants me to teach them English vocabulary, grammar and sign.   I think the easiest way to approach this is to teach them using Signing Exact English.  I do not know enough Ukrainian or Russian to teach them using ASL.  Besides ASL is not English.  ASL has its own unique grammar that is distinct from English grammar.  It seems if she wants me to teach them English, then SEE II is an ideal vehicle for teaching grammar to these students.  It is a visual sign system based on English syntax and vocabulary, so it should be effective in teaching the language to these youth. 

I’ll develop vocabulary lists based on categories.  I'll also introduce them to helping verbs and basic verb endings.  We’ll use the vocabulary words and markers to develop simple sentences.  As the kids' vocabulary and grammar expand, the sentences can become more complex.  I’ll use Russian vocabulary to teach the meanings of the English words.  Eventually, I'll introduce them to contractions and affixes.  This is going to be complicated, but I think it's doable.

I may also use songs to teach them.  We'll see how much hearing they have.  Boyzone's rendition of "No Matter What" might be a good one.  There are some others I have in mind, as well

Merry Christmas!

It is Christmas in Luhans'k, today, and it's snowing...

Christmas tree in Theatre Square

Actually, I am not sure just how widely Christmas is celebrated in Ukraine.  Here in Luhans’k, it does not feel like Christmas.  It feels like an average day:  markets and businesses are open; walks are busy with pedestrians; McDonald’s is absolutely packed as always with rock music blaring in the background, and no one here seems to be celebrating the holiday.

There are people here who will bend over backwards for you.  Dr. Krsek sent a recent university graduate to my apartment today to help me solve my internet problems.  My techie is a very kind and patient young man who ended up taking me downtown twice to try to solve the problem with my wireless modem.  He speaks fairly good English.  When he got frustrated expressing a thought or idea, I reminded him that his English is much better than my Russian.   I could not have solved this problem without his help, and communication was never a problem. 

Anyway, he cannot find a job in his field.  While he searches for something related to his major (economics), he is working for the university in the area computer technologies for the meager salary of just 800 hryvnias a month (about $100.00).  Obviously this is not enough to live on.  To put it in perspective, my rent here is 3,000 hryvnias a month, which provides me with a very small 3 room apartment with an older bathroom (no shower), a small washer (no dryer) and a two burner stove in the kitchen (no oven—I’m going to miss making pizza).  He does not make enough to afford his own apartment of any kind, so he lives with his parents.  He added that his situation is not unique.  Many other Ukrainians either do not have jobs or get paid very little.  I told him that the situation in the U.S. similar with a high unemployment rate and many people struggling to make ends meet, but in retrospect, I think things are much more challenging for Ukrainians.

He is frustrated with his government, particularly since he is paid a government salary for his work and wishes politicians would work harder to improve conditions for workers and citizens.

It seems that governments in general have limited interest in improving conditions for the average citizen.  This is not a problem limited to countries such as Ukraine.  Governments are more interested in maintaining the status quo, even if it contributes to an ever widening gulf between the rich and poor.

Anyway, at one point, he asked me for my initial impression of Luhans’k.  It was a bit awkward for a moment, as I had been taken aback by the bleakness of the city when I first arrived and didn't want to say anything negative.  But I told him honestly that people here have been welcoming and helpful. 

My new friend continued that Luhans’k is a very poor city inhabited by poor people, many of whom are out of work.  He noted a lack of color and greenery.  Basically, the sense I got was that he views Luhans’k as a rather grim and dreary city and added that he likes the snow, because it covers up the “black ground" and cheers things up.

As I said above, I am discovering that most Ukrainians want to help and are indeed very patient and understanding.  I just need to make every effort to speak their language first and use as little English as possible so as to show respect toward them and their culture.

Wednesday, I was interviewed for a short article in the local paper.  The reporter wanted to know a bit about me and what I would be doing in Luhans'k.

I bought some very good tangerines at the market yesterday (and cheaply)…very sweet and juicy.

Here Comes the Sun!

It is finally sunny.  It is has been so gray and dreary for awhile.  I didn't think I'd ever see the sun again.

Yesterday, the weather was positively awful.  The day began with rain and sleet which later changed over to snow. The streets, sidewalks and market were slushy and dirty. I did not visit the market; it was much too messy.

Yesterday afternoon I met an Iraqi university student at McDonalds who had a lot to say and spoke very fast in heavily accented English.  He was a very friendly young man who had much to say about our government and the situation in Iraq from the perspective of someone who's country has been occupied by an invading army and who is affected in a very personal way.  For instance, his father lives in fear of being killed by terrorists.   Consequently, he is highly disappointed by the policies of the present U.S. government from a strictly practical and personal standpoint, and despite his youth (probably early to mid-twenties), practically worships Ronald Reagan.  His strong feelings are understandable, but he is also very careful to separate his criticisms of the U.S. government from his love of the American people.  He enjoys making friends with people from all cultures and backgrounds. He especially likes to befriend Americans and loves American culture and music.  He has a particular fondness for John Denver, especially his song "Country Roads."  

I met with Dr. Olga Krsek yesterday.  It seems Ukrainian educators have a highly pathological view of deaf and hard of hearing  students.  I will be working with two students who aspire to be psychiatrists, and they will be studying two groups of hard of hearing students from a psychiatric perspective.  Children with even mild to moderate hearing loss are not educated in inclusive schools, but in “special schools.”  These children are isolated from the general school population, and apparently, according to Olga, are not comfortable interacting with others outside the special school environment.  She explained that they do not like going out in public.  Furthermore, children with hearing loss, including those with mild losses are not encouraged to attend college after high school.  Few efforts are made to prepare these youth for higher education, and I am told parents prefer to keep their children at home rather than send them to universities to further their education.

We are talking about children with sensory disabilities and normal cognitive function who are isolated.  I can’t begin to imagine what the situation is like for students with significant cognitive disabilities.   I have a lot of work ahead of me.   

Olga wants me to find pen-pals for the Ukrainian high school students.  I think I might be able to do that.   

More Impressions

It is cold here, but not nearly as bitterly cold as North Dakota.  The weather has been in the thirties, damp, and cloudy-rather dreary, but not unbearable.  I am surprised the weather has not been significantly colder. I had been expecting some brutally cold weather, but it hasn't been bad.  Luhansk is at 48.38 degrees latitude, which is almost the same latitude as Granville, North Dakota (48.25).  Incidentally, Kansas City is at 39.11 degrees latitude.  While we were living in Granville, temperatures of twenty below zero or greater were not uncommon.  I can remember periods when the mercury did not get above zero for days at a time.  Hopefully, the weather here will not be anything like North Dakota, particularly since I have to walk to the university.


I spent some time in the market this morning.  It was quite crowded and busy, so kept my wallet in an inside pocket of my coat; pickpocketing can be a problem in crowded public areas such as the market.  The market is a fascinating place.  It is a busy open air venue despite the cold temperatures.  One can get anything there: clothes, dishes, appliances, household goods, watches, electronics, meat, produce, etc.  It's like a huge outdoor Walmart, but much more interesting. 

Since I don't yet have access to internet at home, I have been going to McDonald's, which offers free wireless.  The place is always packed.  Apparently it is immensely popular.  Even in the U.S., I have never seen a McDonald's as busy as this one, never.

American consumer culture has found a hungry and enthusiastic audience here in Ukraine.  Silhouetted against aging stark Soviet high rises are slick billboards for M & Ms, Oreos, and Coca-Cola.  It's quite a contrast.

Day 3

I was surprised to see that the market was open today (Sunday). I looked around a bit and bought a dish towel.  Would like to get a few rugs as well.

I am now stocked with enough food for a week or so.

Found an internet cafe, which I can use until I get internet at home, which I hope is soon.

Tomorrow I hope to Meet with Dr. Krsek to discuss the two classes I will be teaching-"Introduction to Deaf Education" and "Teaching Language to the Deaf."

In Luhans'k

Following a long but uneventful train ride from Kyiv, I arrived in Luhansk yesterday morning at 9:45 am. Olga Krsek, two of her students, and a V. Dahl EUNU French instructor and his son met me. It was nice to have a warm welcome and help with my luggage.  I have set up my apartment and purchased some groceries.  There is still more food and items I need to get. 

Of course, there is much I need to learn and do, and this is all very intimidating.  I still need internet, which I am currently using at a McDonald's.  I rarely eat at these, but having access to internet is critical at this point, so I can keep in touch with family and friends back home.

My apartment is in an aging Soviet era high-rise. One's first impression of the outside, entryway and interior halls is a bit disconcerting, but my apartment itself is nice and comfortable enough.  Rent is $390 a month or 3,000 Ukrainian hryvnia's.  It is furnished and includes dishes and cooking ware.  I'd like to get a few other items.  A toaster would be nice, for example.

Due to the presence of heavy metals, I have been advised not to drink the tap water or cook with it, so I will have to keep a good supply of bottled water.  What I have had since arriving is pretty good.  I need to learn the Ukrainian & Russian words for plain water.  Whenever I order it, I am asked if I want it "with gas" or "no gas."

My apartment overlooks the outdoor market.  I want to explore it next week when it reopens.  I need a few things.  It seems to me that the market is the Ukrainian version of Walmart, K-Mart, etc.