WELCOME

Welcome to the Ukrainian National Federation’s English Language Learning Program. This program is a component of the UNF’s Support Programming for Displaced Families. This program is open, free of charge to Ukrainians, who have recently arrived in Toronto who are displaced as a result of russia’s war in Ukraine. Our goal is to assist newcomers to advance their English and improve their chances of finding a promising job.

 The UNF offers in-person group classes that are free of charge and cover all levels of English:

  • Elementary (A1),
  • Pre-Intermediate (A2),
  • Intermediate (B1),
  • Upper-Intermediate (B2).

Our program is created and led by the certified English teacher, Olga Stefurak, with more than 8 years of experience in this field.

In our classes we will cover all crucial topics, practice grammar, and develop listening & speaking skills. While creating this program, we have taken current needs of the newcomers, who are willing to take interviews, write CVs and communicate with coworkers in English. All the materials are up-to-date and will be provided to each student. Each group contains no more than 8 students.

Participants will also be able to take part in our casual Speaking Clubs and Movie Nights, so we can know each other better. We aim to create an amiable atmosphere, where everyone feels comfortable, safe, ready to move forward.

ABOUT OUR INSTRUCTOR
My name is Olya Stefurak. I have joined UNF recently as the English Teaching Program Leader.

I was born and raised in Ukraine, in a small town Horodenka, Ivano-Frankivsk region. I studied English language and literature at Kyiv National Linguistic University and got my Master’s Degree there. I had been working as an English teacher for some time and then started my own online English school. Since 2019 I have been developing my blog on social media and reached 80 thousand subscribers. My main aim is to inspire people to learn English and develop their career pathways. In 2020 I created physical flashcards, which parents and kids can use in their English language learning process.

Because of the war, my younger siblings and I moved to Canada. I’m planning to continue my professional and personal development, helping Ukrainians with their English and future careers.

I will be happy to get acquainted with all of you during our classes!

OUR LOCATION

Our classes take place at the Ukrainian National Federation of Canada, Toronto Branch located at 145 Evans Ave. in Toronto, Ontario. The classes take place in the “Colonel A. Melnyk Boardoom” on the 2nd Floor of our Community Centre.

Our Classes

Each class will be comprised of no more than 8 students, and led by one instructor. Before registering, please take a level test, and and confirm which level (A1, A2, B1, B2) is most appropriate for your current skill level. You can take an online test at the following link: 

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/online-english-level-test

Speaking clubs for Ukrainian newcomers🇺🇦

We are extremely excited to launch Speaking Clubs for Ukrainian refugees, who arrived in Canada under the CUAET program. We invite you to join our informal meetings, which will be conducted by native speakers.

Start Date: Wednesday, September 7th, 2022
Time: Wednesday and Friday at 6pm until 7:30pm

Place: “Bistro” at UNF.

Cost: Free
Levels: A2-C2
Tea or coffee is $1.

We are planning to organize discussion topics that inform the basis of your everyday life in Canada:

Etiquette in a multicultural Canadian society.
Meetings, greetings, social norms, celebrating, religious tolerance, taboos.

How do I view my place in the fourth wave of Ukrainian immigration to Canada?
Opportunities, self-awareness, inclusion, performance, adaptability.

Survival in a post-Covid, market challenged environment.
Controlling spending, value-based purchasing, awareness to advertising.

Utilizing government educational opportunities to plan for a career.
What kinds of jobs that pay well will emerge by 2027 in the Information Age?

Thinking about and achieving your personal goals.
What can you realistically expect to do in 5 to 10 years and how do you get there?

Framing the narrative in the Ukraine-Russia conflict
Words have meaning; how you can positively influence people’s notions about the conflict.

Learn about your surroundings
Rely on personal knowledge and learn about the geography of the GTHA, without GPS.

We will cover the core areas of the English language study which can fast track your comprehension:

Pronunciation knowledge and exercises
Learn the challenges of your first language group as they affect your English speech.
Seek fluency as a second language speaker of English and understand that your native language will influence your speech forever.
Appreciate that most English language speakers in Canada are just like you – English is their second, third or fourth spoken language.
Understand that you will be judged by the level of ability you demonstrate in speech and that employers and institutions use mechanisms which measure your suitability for employment and education.
Self-confidence, not memorization or articulation, determines how successful a speaker you become in English- everyone can become a great second language speaker of English.
During conversations, expect to be occasionally “corrected” when you speak; the corrections will only highlight speaking errors which impair understandability for most listeners.

Outcomes:
In 6 months, if you attend and participate in Speaking Clubs regularly and devotedly, you will begin to:
Experience a noticeable change in your English comprehension abilities.
Form sentences more effectively, using and understanding all important tenses in the English language.
Feel more confident in the conversation with a native speaker.

CLICK HERE TO SELECT A DATE AND RSVP

!! THIS CLASS IS NOW FULL !!

A1 English Definition

English level A1 is the first level of English in the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), and is called “beginner”.

Course Objectives

Completing this course you will:

  • Understand and use very basic expressions to satisfy concrete needs.
  • Introduce yourself and others, ask and answer questions about personal details such as where you live, people you know and things you have.
  • Interact simply as long as the other person speaks slowly and clearly.
Course Schedule

Start Date: May 9th, 2022

Group 1

Monday & Thursday – 9:00 AM – 10:30AM

!! THIS CLASS IS NOW FULL !! Please follow this page to see future course dates & availability. 

!! THIS CLASS IS NOW FULL !!
A2 English Definition

English level A2 is the second level of English in the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), a definition of different language levels written by the Council of Europe. In everyday speech, this level might be described as “basic” as in “I speak basic English”.

Course Objectives

Completing this course you will:

  • Understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment).
  • Communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters.
  • Describe in simple terms aspects of your background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.
Course Schedule

Start Date: May 9th, 2022

Group 1

Monday & Thursday – 11:00 AM – 12:30AM

!! THIS CLASS IS NOW FULL !!
B1 English Definition

English level B1 is the third level of English in the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), a definition of different language levels written by the Council of Europe. In everyday speech, this level would be called “intermediate”.

Course Objectives

Completing this course you will:

  • Understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school or leisure-related topics.
  • Deal with most situations likely to arise while traveling in an area where the language is spoken.
  • Produce simple connected texts on topics that are familiar or of personal interest.
  • Describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes, and ambitions, as well as opinions or plans in brief.
Course Schedule

Start Date: May 9th, 2022

Group 1

Tuesday & Friday – 9:00 AM – 10:30AM

!! THIS CLASS IS NOW FULL !!
B2 English Definition

English level B2 is the fourth level of English in the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), a definition of different language levels written by the Council of Europe. In everyday speech, this level might be called “confident”.

Course Objectives

Completing this course you will:

  • Understand the main ideas of a complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in their field of specialization.
  • Interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party.
  • Produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
Course Schedule

Start Date: May 9th, 2022

Group 1

Tuesday & Friday – 11:00 AM – 12:30AM

Registration

Please fill out the form to register for your proffered course. Our course sizes are limited, and we will confirm via email that you have been signed up. If we are unable to accommodate you we will put you on a waiting list for the next group.

Register Online

Our Classes Are Now Full please email [email protected] to be added to the waiting list for the next round of classes.

Contact Us

If you would like more information or to contact our instructor directly please email [email protected]

Extra Material

While you are waiting for the course to start, our program leader, Olya Stefurak, offers your her special system ‘English with pleasure’.

6 files to help you learn English with fun: