Skip to content

How English Classes Bring Hope to Ukrainian Refugees

TEFL

In a heartwarming testament to the power of language and connection during times of crisis, a TEFL UK practicum student shares experiences of teaching English to Ukrainian women, each facing their own unique challenges amid the ongoing conflict.

Lina, a junior doctor in Kharkiv, Ukraine, spent three months learning conversational English with me over Zoom, facilitated by TEFL UK, covering a variety of topics such as politics, intercultural communication, travel, and culture.

Despite the challenging circumstances, including an instance where she had to evacuate her apartment block during a rocket attack, Lina remained dedicated to improving her English skills.

Meanwhile, my mother was teaching English to another Ukrainian refugee, who had left her comfortable life as an accountant in Kiev and was now living on a houseboat and working as a waitress in our village on the Isle of Wight.

Both women’s stories highlight the transformative power of language education and its impact on personal and professional development, even in the face of adversity.

For Lina in Kharkiv, online classes provided moments of brevity and a sense of normality in the face of Russia’s onslaught, while for my mother’s student, lessons paved the way to finding accountancy work on the island and successful integration.

As Ukraine still risks falling into Putin’s shadow, I'm often reminded of Gandalf's words in The Lord of the Rings: “Some believe it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. It is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay.”

This quotation encapsulates why refugee education resonates with me so much: While NATO's great power can uphold democracy and human rights, it is the transformative human connections, often forged through language learning, that offer a light and beauty far beyond the reach of dictators.

William Grice, the writer, is a postgraduate with an MEd in TESOL who enjoys teaching refugees in his spare time.