According to the President’s of Ukraine order, 2016 year was declared the Year of English in Ukraine. During the year, teachers of Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute was lucky to take part in the summer school of the British Council in Ukraine. Summer School not only helped the professional development of individual teachers, but pulled them together to intensify their university activities using English.
The first of these measures was training for students in "Belka" student space on the topic "The 21st Century Skills for Learning and Teaching", which was organized on October 31 within the framework British Council consultant’s visit in Ukraine. The training was attended by 32 students from 8 faculties and teachers of IEE, ZF, FMM, FBMI, FAKS, FEA and FL. During the event, students learned the lateral thinking puzzles, tried to "speed dating" with discussion topics of their university life. As a team task, students in groups initially considered different methods of learning English and share the acquired knowledge with other groups. Then participants took part in an interesting team competition "Marshmallow challenge", building a tower using spaghetti, tape, rope and marshmallow that had to be placed on top of the tower. In the final part students were awarded certificates of participation in the training. After receiving positive feedback from students, the organizers made sure necessity such initiatives organizing of similar events.
There was also an offer to spend English day by the British Council in Ukraine in the format of discussion on offered topics in English. By combined efforts of IEE, FAKS, FL teachers on December 14 was organized business game for students on the topic "Soft Power. Does it work?". During this event, students discussed the possibility of "Soft Power" and "Hard Power in education as general and in their university life. Around these issues, a discussion broke out, which expressed students’ interest in changes of study process. Working in teams, participants presented their vision using of "Soft Power", possible forms, benefits and barriers. During business game students could not only communicate in English with their colleagues from different departments, but also discuss an important topic for their university studies.
Hereafter,it is planned to run similar events not only for students but also for teachers who not only want to teach subjects in a foreign language, but also make classes more interesting for students.