FAQ
What age do children start Russian school?
At the moment we accept children aged 4 to 10 years old. We are working to create a program for older and younger children.
What is the best age to start classes in a Russian school?
In the Russian school “Gemstones” we usually accept kids from 4 years old, and classes for children of this age are conducted exclusively in a playful way, so as not to cause rejection. The earlier the child gets into the Russian-speaking educational space, the more willingly he uses the language in the future, so we also conduct classes for kids 1.5-3 years old in our club “Samotsvetik”.
How do you shape your classes?
We form classes both by age and by the level of Russian language proficiency.
What do children do in class?
Our program necessarily includes the Russian language (reading, writing, speech development), mathematics, art and music lessons – we give children the opportunity to communicate, make friends and create in Russian.
Can I only go to some classes?
Unfortunately no. We take our educational program and the selection of teachers very seriously. Results can be achieved only with full-fledged comprehensive training and stable attendance. Mathematics is the only subject in school that you can attend separately.
Why is studying in a Russian school so expensive compared to other schools, for example, Polish?
Our task is to gather the most talented teachers who inspire our children. It is much more difficult to bring a teacher from Russia to the UK than from the EU countries; high-level professionals count on decent wages. At our school, you pay for 4 full courses (4 hours) taught at the highest level.
How is your school different from other schools?
The two main advantages of our school are the highest quality of teaching and a sensitive approach to each child. “Samotsvety” is a family-type school where we know and love children well, paying attention to everyone. We help to find and develop talents, we have a wonderful fun atmosphere, amazing quests and holidays. Children do not have to be forced, they are happy to run to our classes!
Do you take Childcare Vouchers?
We are in the OFSTED registration process and will soon be able to accept vouchers. While payment is possible in cash or by transfer to a bank account.
What Russian language learning programs do you work with?
Depending on the level of the student. If the group is strong, children speak and read Russian fluently, then they study using the textbooks of the Russian school. If spoken Russian is excellent, but there is no writing or reading, then we pay close attention to reading and writing. If spoken Russian is weak or passive, then the main task is to “get the child to talk”, to improve his vocabulary.
How is reading in Russian organized at your school?
Like the English elementary school, we give out books to those children who can already read weekly. We have our own little library!
Why did you include math in your curriculum?
Because we have a teacher of the highest level who simply makes children fall in love with his subject! Mathematics here is not about counting, but about the development of systemic, logical and spatial thinking. Our teacher not only gives homework, but also checks each one, giving a full written report, parents can track their child’s progress weekly! Mathematics is the only subject that you can study separately without studying in a Russian school.
Can I come to you in the middle of the semester?
It is possible, subject to availability of places in groups.
Do you work during the holidays?
No, usually our holidays coincide with the English school holidays.
We do weekly theme camps once a year. The next camp is scheduled for July 2021.
Do you offer discounts for siblings?
We give discounts to both brothers and sisters and students of the Russian school for all other classes of the “Samotsvety” Center.
You work a lot with plasticine. What is the reason for this choice?
It is, rather, the choice of our students, because after the first modeling lesson they could not stop and sculpted after the lesson for the whole week. Children are simply in love with this material and are ready to work with it endlessly. In addition, for lessons in Zoom during quarantine, you simply cannot find better material – after all, plasticine has therapeutic properties.
How will the lessons be conducted during the national quarantine?
If schools are closed and we have nowhere to go, all classes will be held at Zoom. We know how to work online and will give the same program. We will not entertain children with experiments, we will continue to teach them according to the same program, adjusting the lesson to the online format, making it shorter, but brighter and more intense. The very first quarantine showed that Zoom lessons have their advantages!