Positive Personal Experiences Research Articles

‘Everyone needs to be educated’: pupils’ voices on menstrual education

BackgroundPhysical, affective and behavioural symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle are commonplace. Adolescents with problematic symptoms have reported a negative impact on school attendance, behaviour and participation in physical activity. In the United Kingdom, evidence suggests that menstrual health education delivered by teachers focusses on menstrual cycle biology as opposed to management of menstruation and menstrual cycle related symptoms. Through obtaining the pupil voice, this study aimed to understand young people’s perceptions and experiences of menstrual education in schools and their experiences of menstruating whilst at school, including within Physical Education.MethodsTo address the aims, a qualitative descriptive study was conducted. Nine focus groups with female pupils (n = 48; ages 10–15 years) were completed across six school locations in England and Wales, including primary and secondary schools. A range of elements relating to the menstrual cycle, education at school and PE were discussed by pupils.ResultsFour main themes were developed (a) Education preferences, (b) Period positive environments, (c) Personal experiences and (d) Impact on school. Similarities were reflected across focus groups in terms of current (lacking) education, lesson style and preferences, comfort of conversations, lack of school support and impact on school and PE.ConclusionThe findings highlight the lack of menstrual education received and subsequent impact of menstruation and menstrual-related symptoms in school and PE. The abundance of information requested by pupils highlights the deficit in understanding about how to manage periods in school and remain engaged in physical activity. Schools can utilise information from the current study to; create period positive environments; consider lesson content and format; and explore how to support girls to stay physically active in PE.

Семантика и прагматика выражений с компонентом «белое пальто» (на материале интернет-публикаций)

The aim of the research is to identify the semantic and pragmatic features of expressions containing the component ‘белое пальто’ (fig. ‘superior attitude’). The paper describes the elements of meaning of the examined expression and thoroughly explores the pragmatics of the sign, including information about the attitude of the person using the expression towards the denoted object and the prevailing assessment of the corresponding reality within the linguistic community. An attempt is made to determine the linguistic status of this unit and identify the type of a fixed phrase from the perspective of semantic inseparability of components and their constancy. The scientific novelty of the work lies in obtaining the semantic and pragmatic characteristics of a little-studied expression widely used in contemporary communication. The researchers base the analysis of expressions containing the component ‘белое пальто’ on live speech in written communication (blogs, internet publications, etc.). The examination of fixed phrases with the component ‘белое пальто’ has led to conclusions about a new phenomenon in contemporary speech practice. As a result of the research, it is found that expressions with the component ‘белое пальто’ are used to express negative evaluation towards the interlocutor who demonstrates their superiority through advice and narratives about their exclusively positive personal experience. The use of this expression is driven by a new phenomenon in the evolving blogosphere that can be labeled as a ‘toxic commentator’. The variability of components in phrases including ‘белое пальто’, the frequency of usage, and the addition of new meanings compared to the primary source pose difficulties in determining the linguistic status of these units.

Willingness to cooperate with police in hate crime cases: the impact of police legitimacy, police encounters and race/ethnicity

PurposeWhile the significance of public cooperation for police effectiveness is widely acknowledged, less is known about factors associated with cooperation in hate crime cases. The current study aims to explore how individuals’ perspectives on police legitimacy, contact experience with police and race/ethnicity shape their willingness to cooperate with police in hate crime incidents.Design/methodology/approachThis study used a sample of 693 college students and was conducted at a public university in the south-central region of the southern United States of America. Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression models were used to examine factors related to willingness to cooperate with police.FindingsFindings show that those who have a high level of positive perceptions of police legitimacy and those who have a low level of negative personal experience with police reported more willingness to cooperate. Asian respondents were less likely to report that they would cooperate with police compared to white respondents.Originality/valueThis study, emphasizing the relationships between perceived police legitimacy and positive personal experiences with a willingness to cooperate in hate crime cases, has practical implications. The identification of racial/ethnic differences in cooperation attitudes, particularly the lower likelihood of cooperation among Asian respondents, contributed to the current literature and underscores the importance of considering diverse perspectives and outreach efforts.

Optimizing Employee Experience and Coaching to Reduce Turnover Intention: A Growth Mindset Moderation Study in Leasing Companies

Generation Y and Generation Z have been entering workplace and dominating various jobs in organizations. These two cohorts share similar characteristics including, among other things, the need of self-development and the need of challenging jobs that enable them to avoid boredom. When these needs are not met their desires to leave the organization is likely to occur. Providing positive personal experience and proper coaching at work may help resolve the aforementioned negative consequence. This research aimed to address this issues. A sample of 182 of employees from the two cohorts who worked for leasing companies in Yogyakarta participated in the research. Purposive sampling was adopted to invite respondent participation. An online survey was employed to gather the data. The PLS-SEM method was used to analyze the data . Findings of the research show that employee experience and leadership coaching skills have a negative influence on turnover intention. A growth mindset strengthens the negative impact of employee experience on turnover intention. However, a growth mindset was found not to have any moderating influence on the effect of leadership coaching skills on turnover intention. Managerial and scholarly implication are then outlined.

What are patients' perspectives on the value of physical therapy? A prospective cohort study.

To assess and identify patients' perceptions about the overall value of physical therapy services for musculoskeletal conditions and how these values were associated with their outcomes. The association between the perceived value of physical therapy (as a score) and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) pain interference and physical function at 6-weeks was assessed in a prospective cohort. Generalised linear models were used to identify relationships between the value of physical therapy score and PROMIS outcomes. Kendall's tau was used to identify correlations between responses and outcomes. A total of 133 participants met the final inclusion criteria. The majority of participants were female (63.9%) with a mean age of 55.53 (SD 15.36) years. A majority of participants (63.9%) reported a previous positive personal experience with physical therapy. There was no significant relationship between perceived value of physical therapy and pain interference (β -0.32, p=0.07, 95% CI-0.67, 0.03) or physical function (β 0.19, p=0.29, 95% CI-0.16, 0.54). Stronger beliefs in agreement with the value of non-invasive treatment were significant, but weakly correlated with lower pain interference (r=-0.18, p=0.048) and higher physical function scores (r=0.22, p=0.03). Participants had an overall positive perception of the value of physical therapy prior to initiating physical therapy, but this perception was not associated with 6-week pain and function outcomes. A better understanding of the driving factors encouraging patients to seek physical therapy services is needed to provide value-based care.

Teaching Digital Medicine to Undergraduate Medical Students With an Interprofessional and Interdisciplinary Approach: Development and Usability Study.

An integration of digital medicine into medical education can help future physicians shape the digital transformation of medicine. We aim to describe and evaluate a newly developed course for teaching digital medicine (the Bielefeld model) for the first time. The course was held with undergraduate medical students at Medical School Ostwestfalen-Lippe at Bielefeld University, Germany, in 2023 and evaluated via pretest-posttest surveys. The subjective and objective achievement of superordinate learning objectives and the objective achievement of subordinate learning objectives of the course, course design, and course importance were evaluated using 5-point Likert scales (1=strongly disagree; 5=strongly agree); reasons for absences were assessed using a multiple-choice format, and comments were collected. The superordinate objectives comprised (1) the understanding of factors driving the implementation of digital medical products and processes, (2) the application of this knowledge to a project, and (3) the empowerment to design such solutions in the future. The subordinate objectives comprised competencies related to the first superordinate objective. In total, 10 undergraduate medical students (male: n=4, 40%; female: n=6, 60%; mean age 21.7, SD 2.1 years) evaluated the course. The superordinate objectives were achieved well to very well-the medians for the objective achievement were 4 (IQR 4-5), 4 (IQR 3-5), and 4 (IQR 4-4) scale units for the first, second, and third objectives, respectively, and the medians for the subjective achievement of the first, second, and third objectives were 4 (IQR 3-4), 4.5 (IQR 3-5), and 4 (IQR 3-5) scale units, respectively. Participants mastered the subordinate objectives, on average, better after the course than before (presurvey median 2.5, IQR 2-3 scale units; postsurvey median 4, IQR 3-4 scale units). The course concept was rated as highly suitable for achieving the superordinate objectives (median 5, IQR 4-5 scale units for the first, second, and third objectives). On average, the students strongly liked the course (median 5, IQR 4-5 scale units) and gained a benefit from it (median 4.5, IQR 4-5 scale units). All students fully agreed that the teaching staff was a strength of the course. The category positive feedback on the course or positive personal experience with the course received the most comments. The course framework shows promise in attaining learning objectives within the realm of digital medicine, notwithstanding the constraint of limited interpretability arising from a small sample size and further limitations. The course concept aligns with insights derived from teaching and learning research and the domain of digital medicine, albeit with identifiable areas for enhancement. A literature review indicates a dearth of publications pertaining to analogous courses in Germany. Future investigations should entail a more exhaustive evaluation of the course. In summary, this course constitutes a valuable contribution to incorporating digital medicine into medical education.

Nurturing Attentiveness: A Naturalistic Observation Study of Personal Care Interactions Between People With Advanced Dementia and Their Caregivers.

Personal care interactions can provide vital opportunities for caregivers to engage with a person living with advanced dementia. However, interactions may also be a contentious experience, what makes this so is not fully understood. We aimed to examine features of personal care interactions between caregivers and people with advanced dementia to understand how care may be improved. This was a naturalistic observation study using one-off video-recorded observations of personal care interactions between 14 people with advanced dementia and 12 caregivers (n = 7 care-home staff, n = 5 family carers) in the United Kingdom (total observation time 03:01:52). Observations were analyzed with observational video coding to determine the frequency of actions of people with dementia and qualitative content analysis for in-depth examination. Refusals of care were present in 32% of video sections. Active engagement of people with dementia was observed in 66% of sections. Rare contentious interactional components were characterized by the person with dementia appearing to show uneasiness and caregivers being flustered and uncertain. However, caregivers typically emanated a nurturing attentiveness, were attuned to the person, and skilled in seamlessly supporting them through care activities. Findings draw on real-world empirical evidence to reinvigorate the notion of person-centeredness in dementia care. The findings provide much needed insight into practical ways to improve care interactions for people with advanced dementia and enhance their personhood. Appropriate training/guidance for caregivers could support positive personal care experiences for both the person with dementia and caregiver.

Prevalence and Determinants of Self-medication among Attendants of Primary Health Care Centers in Abha City, Saudi Arabia

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and determinants of self-medication practices among attendants of primary healthcare centers (PHCCs) in Abha City, Saudi Arabia. Methods: The researchers interviewed 400 patients attending Al-Numees PHCC. A data collection sheet was constructed for data collection, which comprised participants’ personal features and self-medication practices. Results: About one-third of participants practiced self-medication during the last year, mostly 1-3 times (22.5%). The main motive toward self-medication was a previous positive personal experience with the medication (31.4%), while the main complaint was having minor ailments (41.5%). Analgesics were mainly sought (47.9%), with pharmacists being the main advice providers (50.2%). The condition of 70.7% improved after self-medication. Self-medication was significantly more practiced by older participants (p=0.028), males (p=0.016), Saudis (p=0.001), and both illiterate and university-educated participants than others (p=0.018). It was also significantly influenced by participants’ occupation, being highest among retired participants (100%). Conclusions: Self-medication is commonly practiced in Abha City, mainly due to having prior experience. It is mainly practiced when having a minor ailment. Analgesics are the most frequently purchased drugs for self-medication. Pharmacists are the main source of advice for self-medication. Determinants of more practice of self-medication include older age, male gender, Saudi nationality, and educational level. Key Words: Self-medication; prevalence; primary health care.

AI as an Artist? A Two-Wave Survey Study on Attitudes Toward Using Artificial Intelligence in Art

Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have developed rapidly, and generative AI in particular challenges human creativity. Therefore, people's perspectives about this transformative change involving creativity and art must be examined. We investigated attitudes toward using AI in art from the perspective of self-determination theory. We used data from a two-wave survey of Finnish respondents aged 18–80 years (n = 828) to analyze within- and between-person effects using hybrid multilevel regression modelling. We measured positive attitudes toward using AI in (a) the art and culture field in general, (b) music, (c) visual arts, (d) detecting forged art, and (e) creating art. The main independent variables were the basic psychological needs (perceived relatedness, autonomy, and competence) in using new technologies. The results showed that participants were less positive toward using AI in the art and culture field in general compared to many other fields, such as medicine and building and real estate technology. Stronger relatedness had within- and between-person effects on positive attitudes on using AI in the art and culture field in general, as well as in music, visual arts, and creating art. Stronger autonomy had within- and between-person effects on positive attitudes on using AI in detecting forged art and creating art. The results indicate that human needs for relatedness and autonomy are important in attitudes toward using AI in art. Hence, positive personal experiences with the use of new technology are likely to affect how people perceive the introduction of AI to the art field, which has been considered the last human frontier in the technological world.

A qualitative study exploring patient experiences of art therapy in a female medium secure unit

ABSTRACT This qualitative study is the first evaluation of patient experiences of art therapy within female secure mental health services. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews and analysed using thematic analysis in 10 patients with severe and enduring mental health conditions in a female medium secure unit in South London. Four themes (expression, connectedness, coping and sense of empowerment) and nine subthemes (the art therapist, the artwork, sense of belonging, building relationships, escapism, managing emotions, control, reflection, and achievement) were identified. These themes demonstrated the participants’ positive personal experiences of art therapy. Our results add to the body of evidence supporting the positive benefits of art therapy within inpatient mental health units. Escapism and achievement were highlighted as important themes that are often less valued in the professional literature. This provides new insight, and contribution that should be considered by clinicians to help to shape the future delivery of art therapy interventions within inpatient mental health settings. We hope this encourages others to study this topic further. Future research may wish to focus on whether there are measurable improvements in wellbeing from art therapy within forensic inpatient care.

Appraising Unmet Needs and Misinformation Spread About Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in 85,872 YouTube Comments Over 12 Years: Big Data Infodemiology Study.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy in women, resulting in substantial burden related to metabolic, reproductive, and psychological complications. While attempts have been made to understand the themes and sentiments of the public regarding PCOS at the local and regional levels, no study has explored worldwide views, mainly due to financial and logistical limitations. YouTube is one of the largest sources of health-related information, where many visitors share their views as questions or comments. These can be used as a surrogate to understand the public's perceptions. We analyzed the comments of all videos related to PCOS published on YouTube from May 2011 to April 2023 and identified trends over time in the comments, their context, associated themes, gender-based differences, and underlying sentiments. After extracting all the comments using the YouTube application programming interface, we contextually studied the keywords and analyzed gender differences using the Benjamini-Hochberg procedure. We applied a multidimensional approach to analyzing the content via association mining using Mozdeh. We performed network analysis to study associated themes using the Fruchterman-Reingold algorithm and then manually screened the comments for content analysis. The sentiments associated with YouTube comments were analyzed using SentiStrength. A total of 85,872 comments from 940 PCOS videos on YouTube were extracted. We identified a specific gender for 13,106 comments. Of these, 1506 were matched to male users (11.5%), and 11,601 comments to female users (88.5%). Keywords including diagnosing PCOS, symptoms of PCOS, pills for PCOS (medication), and pregnancy were significantly associated with female users. Keywords such as herbal treatment, natural treatment, curing PCOS, and online searches were significantly associated with male users. The key themes associated with female users were symptoms of PCOS, positive personal experiences (themes such as helpful and love), negative personal experiences (fatigue and pain), motherhood (infertility and trying to conceive), self-diagnosis, and use of professional terminology detailing their journey. The key themes associated with male users were misinformation regarding the "cure" for PCOS, using natural and herbal remedies to cure PCOS, fake testimonies from spammers selling their courses and consultations, finding treatment for PCOS, and sharing perspectives of female family members. The overall average positive sentiment was 1.6651 (95% CI 1.6593-1.6709), and the average negative sentiment was 1.4742 (95% CI 1.4683-1.4802) with a net positive difference of 0.1909. There may be a disparity in views on PCOS between women and men, with the latter associated with non-evidence-based approaches and misinformation. The improving sentiment noticed with YouTube comments may reflect better health care services. Prioritizing and promoting evidence-based care and disseminating pragmatic online coverage is warranted to improve public sentiment and limit misinformation spread.

Elementary General Music: Perceptions and Aspirations of Preservice Music Teachers

The purpose of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of preservice music educators’ perceptions of elementary general music (EGM), pedagogical competencies, and specialization preference. Preservice music teachers responded to a survey about perceptions of personal experiences with EGM, preparation and comfort related to EGM, and confidence in the ability to teach content and skills common in EGM curricula. Participants ( n = 203) also answered questions about their preferred specialization and about factors that would influence their choice of job in the future. Most participants remembered having positive personal experiences with general music in elementary school and believe it is important for future musical success. Confidence in content and skills common in teaching EGM increases as they progress through their degree program. Most identify ensemble teaching and middle and high school grades as their future aspirations. Significant predictors of future career choice included undergraduate major and comfort teaching.

Perceptions and beliefs of Indian secondary school teachers regarding story telling

ABSTRACT India’s long tradition of storytelling is well integrated into the social and cultural lives of people. It is a recognized resource for religious and secular moral education. While the desirability and usefulness of storytelling as a general pedagogical tool finds mention in national school and teacher education policy, there is limited research on teachers’ beliefs and actual practices. Writing tends to be directive, based on deficit assumptions regarding practice. This paper presents perspectives and beliefs of secondary school government teachers from one State in India. It is based on an exploratory study involving observations of two schools and interviews with seven teachers. Observation and interview data were thematically analysed. Five thematic areas are presented: teachers’ personal experiences and related beliefs; their beliefs about usefulness; their views regarding suitability in their school; their own preparedness as storytellers; and their current practices. In conclusion we note that all teachers recalled having positive personal experiences of listening to stories as children, yet they were sceptical about usefulness for “serious subjects”, practicality in large classroom settings and risks of failing as performers in front of the class. A few exceptional teachers were able to foster interaction in large classroom using stories.

İntramüsküler Enjeksiyon Uygulamalarında Kullanılan 'Z Tekniği' Konusunda Hemşirelerin Engelleri

Aim: This research was to determine the opinions of nurses regarding the Z-track method of intramuscular injection and the factors preventing its use. This is a qualitative research using a phenomenological approach. 
 Method: The sample consisted of 38 nurses who worked for a minimum of one year in a university hospital. Data were collected using semi-structured in-depth individual face-to-face interviews. Data were analyzed using content analysis and coded using the NVIVO 11 software.
 Findings: As a result of the content analysis, seven themes and nine subthemes emerged: (a) opinions about personal experiences: method of application, positive personal experiences, and negative personal experiences; (b) factors affecting usage: positive/encouraging factors and negative/discouraging factors; (c) opinions about colleagues; (d) frequency of application; (e) diseases for which the Z-track method is applied; (f) drugs given by the Z-track method; and (g) suggestions for dissemination: suggestions for training, suggestions for patients, suggestions for institutions and suggestions for healthcare professionals. 
 Conclussion: Obstacles against the use of the Z-track method mostly result from lack of training and role models. However, it has been determined that there is a need for regulations regarding the determination, development and dissemination of standards for the application of the Z-track method.

Metaphern am Lebensende: Resilienz als Widerstand oder Akzeptanz

The article provides an overview of the research project "Metaphor in end-of-life care", which was conducted at Lancaster University (UK) between 2011 and 2014. The goals of the project were to show a)how patients, family members and healthcare professionals use metaphors to talk about their experiences with and expectations of end-of-life care, b)what experiences and needs are suggested by the use of metaphors by these groups and c)what contribution the results can make to communication in the healthcare system. Acorpus consisting of interviews with the various groups of people and their postings in online fora were subject to both manual and semi-automated analyses. The results show that especially the online communications by patients and family members are characterized by violence and journey metaphors. The use of metaphors by these groups suggests aneed for solidarity and community and reflects both positive and negative personal experiences. Resilience can be understood as resistance against illness or as acceptance of it.

Dwelling in the city: A qualitative exploration of the human-nature relationship in three types of urban greenspace

The combination of increasing numbers of people in cities, coupled with decreasing levels of biodiversity, is hypothesised to result in the extinction of experience, or the continued disintegration of the human relationship with the natural world. We use the concepts of sense of place and dwelling to investigate the human relationship with nature in cities by considering the emotional connections between people and places. We conducted ‘go-along’ interviews with 21 residents of Hamilton, New Zealand, to explore the significance of neighbourhood parks and home gardens in the lives of urban residents. Our study highlights the importance of greenspaces in cities to the physical, mental and social health of local residents. Bush parks provided the best opportunities for respondents to observe nature and thereby escape the stress of city life. Participants wanted a variety of parks which would meet the range of their community’s needs and provide habitat for wildlife. Proximity and frequent use of parks resulted in a sense of ownership and responsibility which led to concrete action, such as participation in ecological restoration of valued greenspaces. Providing high quality natural greenspaces within walking distance of residents’ homes disrupts the extinction of experience by fostering positive personal experiences of nature, crucial for the health and wellbeing of people and for native biodiversity.

Barriers and Facilitators to Stool-Based Screening for Colorectal Cancer Among Black Louisville Residents.

Knowledge of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening options remains suboptimal in Black populations, contributing to screening disparities. Guided by community-based participatory research (CBPR) principles, we partnered with five Black churches in Louisville, a region of Kentucky with high Black-white CRC screening disparities, to explore screening barriers and facilitators for CRC education and outreach. Project champions (n = 5) served as primary points of contact, developed project support within their churches, and were trained to recruit church and community members (n = 39) to participate in five semi-structured focus groups. Interview questions probed actual and perceived barriers to CRC screening, focusing on knowledge and perceptions of stool-based tests. Subsequent questions explored perceptions of different screening tests, CRC knowledge and beliefs, and trusted community locations for screening outreach. Transcripts were analyzed iteratively, and codes were derived inductively and refined to develop overarching themes. Participants experienced multilevel barriers to completing CRC screening. Primary themes about CRC screening included acknowledgment of importance, positive and negative personal experiences, need for increased outreach, and desire for greater cultural representation in educational materials. Participants frequently discussed perceptions of inadequate medical care, with most having only ever been offered colonoscopy; subsequently, knowledge of stool-based tests was low. To address this knowledge gap, participants stressed interpersonal communication from trusted individuals, such as local Black medical providers and CRC survivors. Given the low knowledge of stool-based testing among participants and identified inequities in receipt of clinical care, community-based CRC screening interventions are warranted to reduce Black-white CRC screening disparities.

Caregiving-related experiences associated with depression severity and its symptomatology among caregivers of individuals with a severe mental disorder: an online cross-sectional study

Caring for a relative with a severe mental disorder puts family caregivers to a great risk of depression. While overall caregiving burden is a strong predictor of depression, the contribution of the various dimensions of burden to caregivers’ depression as well as their relationships with depressive symptoms has received little attention. 384 family caregivers completed a cross-sectional online survey including the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) scale, the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), and the Brief Experience of Caregiving Inventory (BECI), measuring caregiving burden and experience. We estimated the structure of the relationships between caregiving experiences (i.e., ZBI and BECI subscales) and CES-D symptoms using a network approach. Negative Emotion/Consequences, (lack of) Positive Personal Experience, and Stigma/Effects on Family were the most connected caregiving dimensions to depression. To untangle the role of the Negative Emotion/Consequences component (by far the most central node in estimated networks), a secondary analysis incorporating its composing items was estimated. Losing control over life, feeling strained around the relative and impaired self-perceived health emerged as central nodes. Interestingly, these caregiving-related dimensions or experiences were differentially connected to depressive symptoms. We discuss how these findings might help future research and inform tailored psychoeducational interventions for family caregivers of people with a severe mental disorder.

Examining Differences in the Effect of Vicarious and Personal Procedural Justice on Legal Orientations and Offending Across Race/Ethnicity Among a Sample of Serious Juvenile Offenders.

In the current study it is examined if the impact of vicarious and personal perceptions of procedural justice on legal cynicism, legitimacy, and offending across time is invariant across race/ethnicity. Using longitudinal data from a sample of serious juvenile offenders from the Pathways to Desistance, the within- and between-individual associations of procedural justice, legal orientations, and offending were tested. Race/ethnic-specific models were estimated to examine differences across race/ethnicity. Positive personal and vicarious experiences with police had positive effects on legal orientations (i.e., legitimacy and cynicism), while vicarious experiences were more influential on offending compared to personal experiences. These effects were consistent across race/ethnicity. Both changes in legitimacy (positive) and cynicism (negative) were important for understanding changes in offending; however, the effect of cynicism was more consistent across race/ethnicity. The findings suggest that procedurally just treatment of juveniles by police can enhance legal compliance.

Increasing the motivation of students in small settlements in Ukraine to learn foreign languages

This article presents some trends in educational policy in Ukraine in recent decades as a prerequisite for improving the language competences of young people there. Among the challenges hindering the successful acquisition of a foreign language is the low personal motivation of learners. Observations and positive personal experiences from the author’s participation as a volunteer in an international GoCamp project aimed at increasing motivation to learn English, German and French in informal settings in small towns in Ukraine are shared. For many children and young people, extracurricular activities with foreign volunteers during summer language camps (projects, educational games, quizzes, discussions, arts and sports activities, etc.) are the first steps towards developing intercultural communicative competence, without which success in a globalizing world is difficult to achieve.