Programs

• 3-year olds
• 4-year olds
• 5-year olds (waiting list)
• 6-year olds (waiting list)
• 7-year olds (waiting list)
• 8-year olds
• 9-year olds
• 10-year olds

The classes are designed for students whose native language is Russian and for those with a reasonable knowledge or exposure to Russian. Children in these classes are immersed in Russian language instruction for 15 Saturdays per semester or 30 Saturdays per school year. Class sizes are small in order to provide children with more personalized attention and to support small group activities.  Our classes for younger kids introduce them to the Russian language in fun and engaging ways by developing and improving their vocabulary and phonological awareness, and by fostering a positive attitude toward Russian language learning. These classes focus on building a strong foundation for early pre-reading and early literacy skills.

Our school aged children are introduced to basic Russian grammatical concepts and to different types of Russian literary works. These classes focus on building strong reading, writing, and communication skills.

All activities are designed to enhance the Russian language skills and include, depending on the age:

• Pre-reading/pre-writing or reading/writing activities
• Math and logic
• Chess
• Visual art/animation
• Music
• Optional extracurricular activities

Due to popular demand, Russian Language Academy of Park Slope is offering Russian as a Second Language classes to students with little or no prior Russian language exposure.  The course curriculum is designed to introduce kids to the Russian language and culture in creative and engaging ways, focusing on the development of children’s oral proficiency and listening comprehension skills, as well as basic reading and writing.  Our teachers – all native speakers – take a dynamic approach utilizing games, puzzles and other age-appropriate activities to teach the Russian language.

General information: All classes are held on Saturdays.  In the 2023/24 academic year, there are two RSL classes available: one for 6 year olds (born in 2017) and one for 8 year olds (born in 2015).

This is an educational program for children aged 6 to 11, conducted entirely in Russian.  The students will get acquainted with the techniques behind creating an animated film; to start with, the students will learn how to animate objects and drawings.  While creating an animated project, the student will become the scriptwriter, the artist, the animator, and the director of photography – as well as the director.  The goal is for students to gradually become knowledgeable of the process and gain independence in working with some essential software.

Here are the steps to be taken by each student under the instructor’s tutelage:

• Develop the screenplay and characters
• Design and create the characters, using materials such as clay, paper, etc.
• Design and create the sets
• Shoot the animated film; frame-by-frame character movement within a scene.
• Choose the background music
• Write and record the text that will give voice to the action
• Edit:  the students will learn how to record sound and perform computer editing

Throughout the year the students may be asked to bring found materials (e.g., dried leaves, cutouts from newspapers or magazines, small toys) to use for sets and decorations in their animated films.

General information: All classes are held on Saturdays. Each session is 1 hour long. There are 2 semesters in an academic year; each semester is comprised of 15 sessions.

In this hour-long class taught entirely in Russian, students aged 6 to 11 learn the basics of the game, including notation, as well as more advanced opening and endgame strategies.  It is a well known fact that this ancient game encourages the development of critical thinking and has a positive affect on the players’ attention span.