Have you ever struggled to answer questions about history? Engaging in discussions about history with people from different cultures can be challenging. It demands a good level of English, with a focus on specific vocabulary and expressions, as well as a solid grasp of historical facts and the ability to analyze and compare them.
As interest in Ukraine continues to grow, it’s essential to explain the country’s history clearly to avoid misunderstandings and incorrect conclusions. In this blog post, we'll offer several tips and share valuable resources to help you discuss Ukrainian history confidently.
Build the foundation by learning about major historical events
Even if you perfectly understand Ukrainian history, discussing it in English is not the same as explaining it in Ukrainian. The key to bridging this gap is to learn about history in English!
To start, we recommend diving into short introductory courses or articles to avoid feeling overwhelmed by the volume of information and advanced vocabulary. Here are a few excellent resources to consider:
While there are many different resources for reading about history, we recommend using fact-checked ones, such as the online Encyclopedia Britannica, whose content is among the most trusted in the world. You can start with the “History of Ukraine” article and then explore more specific historical periods or events, like Kyivan Rus', Cossack, Pereyaslav Agreement, etc.
The course covers Ukraine's history, culture, and society from the Middle Ages to the present day. It aims to provide basic knowledge of Ukrainian history and culture and present Ukraine globally.
Is Crimea Russian or Ukrainian? Did Russia occupy Crimea, or did it voluntarily become a part of Russia? What is the relationship between Crimea and Ukraine? These are common questions surrounding the annexation of Crimea in 2014. This course aims to help you answer these critical questions. Throughout its content, you will explore the past and present of Crimea and Crimean Tatars— the indigenous people of Ukraine.
Dive deeper into Ukrainian history with more advanced resources
Once you have built a solid foundation in Ukrainian history and feel more comfortable discussing major events in English, it’s time to explore more advanced resources. Doing so will enhance your understanding of how Ukrainian history is interconnected with the histories of other countries. You’ll be able to examine the impact of past events on the present and uncover the similarities between certain aspects of Ukrainian history and those of even distant nations. This deeper knowledge will enable you to explain Ukraine's history more clearly to foreigners.
You may consider the following resources:
Book: “The Gates of Europe: A History of Ukraine” by Serhii Plokhy
In this book, Harvard Professor Serhii Plokhy traces Ukraine's history from the arrival of the Vikings in the tenth century to the current Russian invasion of eastern Ukraine and annexation of Crimea. The book helps readers to understand better the war with Russia, which has been ongoing since 2014.
Book: “Bloodlands” by Timothy Snyder
Bloodlands is a new kind of European history, presenting Eastern Europe between 1932 and 1945 as a whole. Yale Professor Timothy Snyder depicts a tragic history of the region, showing the mass murders committed by the Nazi and Stalinist regimes as two aspects of a single story.
This renowned course, led by Professor Timothy Snyder and other faculty members at Yale University, was published in 2022 in response to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It comprises 23 lectures and is available for free on YouTube. One of its notable advantages is the clarity of the English language used, along with the provided subtitles, which make the course an excellent tool for enhancing both your understanding of Ukrainian history and your English language skills.
Keep Your Knowledge Sharp: Explore News and Educational Resources on Ukraine in English
To maintain and sharpen your knowledge of Ukrainian history, engaging with current news and educational resources in English is essential. Many Ukrainian websites offer English versions of their articles, allowing you to explore topics that interest you while practicing your language skills. Here are some great resources to explore:
This platform is dedicated to improving the understanding of Ukraine around the globe. The content includes podcasts and articles that cover a wide range of topics, including politics, culture, history, and ongoing struggles.
This is Ukraine’s fastest-growing English-language media outlet, created in November 2021. A noteworthy section on their website is "Explaining Ukraine," where you will find articles that clarify key historical and cultural events and figures, helping international audiences better understand Ukraine.
Both of these resources are particularly useful for those who want to learn how to convey complex topics about Ukraine to foreign audiences.
Practice Speaking
The best way to improve your speaking skills is simply to speak! There are plenty of options: you can Find a speaking club, initiate conversations in English with your friends, record short videos for social media, attend online and offline events on history, or join projects that connect you with foreign audiences.
ENGin is a unique platform that connects Ukrainians with English speakers from all over the world. Participants can not only enhance their language abilities but also make cross-cultural connections and share their knowledge of Ukrainian history with others.
To learn more about participating in ENGin, explore the following links: for studying and for volunteering.
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