Listening

Warm Up

Helpful Words and Phrases

Listen and repeat.

  1. charity
    • ex. A lot of people gave money and old clothes during the charity event.
  2. psychological
    • ex. She writes about her feelings in her diary every day. This helps her avoid psychological problems.
  3. folk music
    • ex. The local people enjoy folk music because it shows their culture.
  4. in collaboration with
    • ex. The scientists are doing research in collaboration with universities from different countries.
  5. manage
    • ex. I always exercise after work to manage stress.

Article

Read the article below and answer your tutor's questions.

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In December, Ukrainian teenagers from different regions held a charity concert. They performed traditional songs. The charity event wants to raise funds for children’s psychological support. The children who continue to experience the effects of the war will benefit from the charity event.

How did the performers learn traditional music? They learned it as part of the psychological course given by the “Voice of Children” foundation. The course is called “Sound Lab.” In the course, they sang songs that had folk music and electro music. They also created music in collaboration with professional musicians. Kvitka Losynska, a 12-year-old girl, said that music helps her through difficult moments. She sometimes sings in the streets to raise money for the Ukrainian army.

According to Olha Mykytchyn, curator of the course, children use music to manage unpleasant war experiences, memories, emotions, and feelings. The course and the concert provide a safe space for children. The foundation wants the children to have fun and feel like children. She said more parents and children want to join the course. Since the beginning of the war, more than 13,000 children and 7,000 parents have received psychological help from the foundation.

This material was based on an article by The Associated Press.

Discussion

Choose a topic and discuss the questions with your tutor.

Music

  • What kind of music do you listen to (ex. classical, pop)? Why? Discuss.
  • Kvitka Losynska said that music helps her through difficult moments. Does music help you in this way too? Discuss.
  • Do you believe music can give people psychological support? Why or why not? Discuss.

Charity Concerts

  • According to Olha Mykytchyn, the course and the concert provide a safe space for children. Why do you think it is important to provide a safe space for them? Discuss.
  • Would you like to perform in a charity concert? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Imagine you are organizing a charity concert. What kind of people is your charity going to help (ex. homeless people, elderly people)? Why? Discuss.