A Ukrainian language textbook has recently been published by a professor at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies to help people advance their skills beyond elementary levels.

The book, titled “Practical Ukrainian,” is written in Korean and Ukrainian, and can be used in intermediate-level conversation classes as well as for self-learning.

Comprised of 18 units and various topics, it has MP3 files with text, grammar tables, key vocabulary terms and questions and answers.

The goal of the book is to advance students’ vocabulary, knowledge of lexicon and grammar, listening and speaking abilities, according to author and associate professor Iryna Zbyr, who teaches in the university’s department of Ukrainian studies.

“Ukrainian culture, history, ethnography and geography are some of the most important aspects of this book,” Zbyr told The Korea Herald last week. “Interesting stories and trivia about renowned Ukrainians from past and present are also included in the book.”

Korean translation was done by professor Hong Sogu, who is the dean of the academic affairs team, and his assistant Choi Byeong-hwi.

Zbyr joined the faculty in 2011 as an exchange professor. She previously studied and worked at Ivan Franko National University of Lviv in Ukraine, one of the oldest universities in the country and across Eastern Europe.

By Joel Lee (joel@heraldcorp.com)