University closures due to the quarantine have evoked new challenges for thousands of teachers worldwide. Instructors of the department share their emotions on distance teaching and learning.

“At this time when we are working distantly, I'm happy to use Skype. This is a live chat. This is a real lesson where you see the faces of students, their emotions. The possibilities are huge. You demonstrate videos, pages of texts, have the opportunity to write, draw in real time using different colors to underline or highlight necessary elements. As well as that you have the option to enable audio recording. Nevertheless, some students who are at home in the villages are at disadvantage. Internet connection and communication is not always of high quality there, sometimes very poor. In this case MIX (mix.sumdu.edu.ua) also becomes unavailable. When connection is  restored, they are calling and writing. The teacher needs to re-connect to get to talk to them. It is very distracting and annoying for teachers." – Iryna Bashlak.

“Getting to know how to work with different online platforms and online resources is a skill that is badly needed nowadays. Using MEL, Kahoot, Nearpod makes classes more relaxed.” – Svitlana Mikhno.

Seniour instructor Oksana Hladchenko is teaching Ukrainian to Leah Felt, a Peace Corps (USA) volunteer. Leah had to come back to the USA (Olbany, New York) because of the quarantine, but is eager to continue learning Ukrainian and looking forward to do volunteering in Ukraine soon. These regular remote classes help her tune in to our country.

"Thanks to the quarantine I have more time and opportunities for science and professional development." –Tetiana Pochatko.

"Students get lots of emotions from our online classes. Not only from learning, but also from seeing each other." - Natalia Usenko.

“We manage to combine all types of activities. The only problem is poor Internet connection at times." - Yulia Kozachenko

“We have classes according to the schedule using Google Meet." - Maryna Dunaeva.

"Working remotely with optimism! It has turned out that communication with students and colleagues activates and motivates to action – having webinars on the use of online classes and lectures." – Svitlana Zolotova.