Vic Jackopson Is Lecturing on Charles Dickens in a Ukrainian School
We began celebrating the 200th anniversary of great Dickens on January 13, 2012. Vic Jackopson, the former President of The Internatinal Charitable Christian Fund "Hope Now" came to the gymnasia and gave the first lecture on Charles Dickens. About 90 students and several teachers of English listened to him. It was very interesting, informative and educational and the lesson passed very quickly. On the 19th of January Vic Jackopson came with much technical equipment to continue his lecture to years 10-11. It lasted for an hour and a half without a break. The lecture was a mixture of powerpoint, film, straight teaching and even a dramatized reading of Oliver Twist's removal to the workhouse and subsequent ignominious exit. The teachers of English and students were overwhelmed and honored Vic Jackopson with a standing ovation at the end. The students shared their impressions of the lectures with the school teachers of English
- We felt proud that the lectures on Charles Dickens were given by Vic Jackopson. We know that he rescued 88 orphans in Ukraine and contributed personally to a lot of charitable work in boarding schools, shelters, prisons, hospitals and schools in this country. He was awarded the Order (MBE) by the Queen for his charitable work overseas. His lectures were undoubtedly powerful and interesting.
- Vic Jackopson helped a lot to renovate our school. The reading-room and multimedia centre built with his financial assistance are unique and among the favorite classrooms with the staff and students. It was so interesting to listen to the lectures on Charles Dickens given by such a highly honored and respected personality.
- Charles Dickens became closer to us. He is a classic of the 19th century writing his books during the period of industrialization and existence of the British Empire. Now we live in the era of information and it was so interesting to compare the epochs and the situation in Great Britain and Ukraine.
- I read the adapted versions of Dickens' books and watched some films but only now I began to understand many things better and I've got an impetus to read some other books by this wonderful author.
- We are proud that our school takes part in the British Council Project "Connecting Classrooms". One of the themes of the project is "The 200th anniversary of Charles Dickens' birth". Inviting Vic Jackopson is really a great beginning of our work on this theme.
- Vic Jackopson mentioned that he would like to help involve the British school in this project. It is Chilton Cantelo School, Yeovil, Somerset (Dr J M Price, BSc, PhD - Headmaster). Mr J D Pomroy (BA (Hons), PGCE - Director of Drama) from that school plans to dramatize various scenes and characters from Dickens' novels and show them at Cherkasy First City Gymnasia in October 2012. It will be great if it comes true. We are looking forward to this event.
Vic Jackopson did not only give the lectures on Charles Dickens but also presented this school with a set of audiodisks and videodisks. They will be definitely used in the lessons of English Literature and Practical English. This is the list of audiodisks and videodisks :
- Audiodisks: A Tale of Two Cities (Penguin Classics); David Copperfield (Penguin Classics);
- Videodisks: Bleak House (BBC DVD); Little Dorrit (BBC DVD); Oliver Twist (The Rank Collection); Hard Times (Network - The Complete Series); The Pickwick Papers.
Now I add 3 photos with Vic Jackopson taken during the lectures.
Nadiya Ananieva,
Deputy Head Teacher,
School Coordinator of the British Council Project
"Connecting Classrooms".
Updated at 04.03.2012
