Language Lab Launches Free Ukrainian Language Course for Volunteers

Natalie Tuyagina

What's the Problem?

As the crisis in Ukraine continues, many foreign volunteers are coming to the country to assist the local population. However, for effective communication and smooth adaptation, these volunteers often lack even basic Ukrainian language skills, making it harder to interact with residents, access essential information, and carry out their duties. Even foundational knowledge of Ukrainian can significantly improve understanding and effectiveness in their roles.

What's the Solution?

To address this, Language Lab, in partnership with Ukraїner , has launched the 'Ukrainian Language Course for Volunteers'. This free course is specifically designed to provide volunteers with essential language skills, allowing them to navigate daily interactions and better communicate with those they're here to support.

How Does It Work?

The course, accessible through Language Lab's online platform, is structured as a self-study program divided into three parts, each containing six lessons. Every lesson introduces 6-8 key phrases vital for everyday situations volunteers encounter in Ukraine. Covering topics such as greetings, ordering food, understanding emergency alerts, safety measures, and medical assistance, this course provides a practical toolkit for volunteers.

After each video lesson, students complete exercises to practice vocabulary, and they can receive personalized feedback from the Language Lab team. At the end of each course segment, participants take a short test to review their progress. This approach allows volunteers to learn at their own pace while maintaining engagement and practical application.

The course topics include:

• Alphabet and Reading Rules
• Basic Phrases
• Greetings and Farewells
• Introductions
• Buying and Ordering Food
• Understanding and Communication
• Emergency Situations
• Air Raid Alerts
• Threats and Safety
• Power Outages
• Traveling in Ukraine
• Assistance and Translation
• Humanitarian Aid
• Roadside and Transport Assistance
• Medical Assistance

"We are proud to launch this course as a gesture of our support and appreciation for the volunteers who are making a difference in these challenging times," said Ksenia Golubytska, Director and Founder of Language Lab. "This course is designed to be practical and accessible, focusing on essential vocabulary that will aid volunteers in their daily interactions. We are offering it for free as a token of our gratitude and encourage volunteers to share it with their networks."

"Community is at the heart of Language Lab's values," Ksenia added. "We believe that learning a language is more effective and enjoyable when it's supported by a strong community. This course is not just about acquiring vocabulary but also about connecting with others who share the same mission. We encourage volunteers to engage with each other, practice together, and support one another through this learning journey. By fostering a collaborative environment, we aim to enhance the learning experience and help volunteers succeed."

The course features informational videos, practical tasks, and opportunities for participants to receive feedback on their pronunciation. The Language Lab team is dedicated to providing a supportive learning experience, reflecting our commitment to community and collaboration.

Ksenia concluded, "We understand the challenges of learning a new language independently, and we've structured this course to offer encouragement and support throughout the process. We aim to make this course as helpful as possible for all the volunteers contributing to Ukraine's ongoing efforts."

The course is available on our online platform. For more information or to register for the course, please visit our website or contact us via email.

About Language Lab

'Language Lab' is a language school to teach Ukrainian to foreigners, in-person and online (for individuals and companies). The added value we provide is our student community that we keep building with the family-like atmosphere, support, cultural immersion and various language events and other meet-ups. The school was opened in 2016 by Ksenia Golubytska and has already 800+ satisfied students. We offer discounts for foreign volunteer soldiers. 100% of instructors are professional linguistics with a degree in philology (PhD, Master's or Bachelor's). Join the community instagram.com/lngg_lab/

About Ukraїner

Ukraїner is a community and organization that has been researching Ukraine and the Ukrainian context since 2016, telling stories to Ukrainian audiences and broadcasting them to the world in dozens of languages. https://www.ukrainer.net/en/ Join the community instagram.com/ukrainer_en facebook.com/ukrainer.eng