Frequently Asked Questions

What age groups do you work with?

We offer classes for children from 1 year old through the teenage years. Programs are designed for different ages, language levels, and interests.

Does my child need to speak Russian before joining?

Not at all! We welcome children with different levels of Russian, from beginners who understand very little to fluent speakers who want to improve reading, writing, and communication skills.

How do you determine which class is right for my child?

All new students begin with either a 30-minute placement consultation or a trial class. This helps us assess your child's language level and recommend the most appropriate group.

What teaching method do you use?

We use the CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) approach, which means children learn Russian through engaging subjects such as science, history, geography, art, and culture. Our lessons are interactive, conversation-based, and designed to keep children actively involved.

Do you teach reading and writing?

Yes! We teach both reading and writing using methods specifically developed for bilingual children. Our goal is not only to help children read aloud but also to understand and enjoy what they read.

Our Approach to Language Learning

Although speaking, reading, and writing are closely connected and all play an important role in language development, we follow a carefully structured approach to teaching these skills.

Our primary focus is on developing conversational fluency, expanding vocabulary, and helping children use grammatically correct sentence structures with confidence. We believe that strong oral language skills provide the foundation for successful reading and writing.

In reading our goal is not simply for students to read words aloud, but to understand, analyze, and discuss what they read. Reading comprehension is always prioritized over decoding or pronunciation alone.

We also teach students how to form Russian letters correctly and introduce age-appropriate writing skills. However, extensive handwriting practice (penmanship) is not the primary focus of our classroom instruction. Developing neat handwriting requires significant repetition and independent practice rather than constant teacher interaction. For this reason, we dedicate our valuable class time to activities that benefit most from live instruction, including conversation, vocabulary development, grammar, reading comprehension, and interactive language use.

Our teaching sequence—strong oral language, reading comprehension, and writing—reflects the natural progression of language acquisition and helps children build lasting confidence and proficiency in Russian.

How many students are in each class?

Our classes are intentionally kept small so every child has plenty of opportunities to participate, ask questions, and receive individual attention.

Can my child join during the school year?

Absolutely! New students are welcome throughout the year whenever space is available. We'll help find the best class for your child's age and language level.

What if none of the available class times work for us?

Please contact us! If our current schedule doesn't fit your family's needs, we'll do our best to find or create another option whenever possible.

Can siblings attend classes together?

Sometimes, yes. It depends on the children's ages and Russian language levels. We'll recommend the placement that provides the best learning experience for each child.

Do you offer a sibling discount?

Yes! We offer a 15% sibling discount for the second and each additional child from the same family.

Do you offer make-up classes?

If your child misses a class, please let us know as soon as possible. Make-up class availability depends on scheduling and space in other groups.

What should my child bring to class?

Just a positive attitude and a bottle of water! We provide all learning materials unless otherwise noted for a specific class or special event.

Can parents stay during class?

For our Mommy & Me classes, parents participate together with their children.

For our 3–4-year-old classes, parents are welcome to stay for a short time if their child needs extra support while adjusting to the new environment. However, whenever possible, we encourage children to attend independently. We have found that both your child and the rest of the group usually feel more comfortable, become more engaged, and gain confidence when they participate on their own.

For all other classes, students attend independently. Individual exceptions may be made subject to our agreement.

What if my child doesn't want to speak Russian?

Many bilingual children understand much more Russian than they speak, and that's completely normal. Our teachers create a warm, encouraging environment where children naturally begin using Russian through games, conversations, and engaging activities. We never force children to speak—we help them build confidence so speaking Russian becomes enjoyable and natural.

Do you offer classes during school breaks?

Yes! We regularly offer special programs, themed workshops, and enrichment classes on school closure days and during selected school breaks.

Do you organize special events?

Yes! Throughout the year we host holiday celebrations, cultural events, book clubs, board game clubs, workshops, and other fun activities for children and families.

Is homework required?

Homework varies by age and program. Older students may receive reading, writing, or vocabulary practice to reinforce what they learn in class.

How can I register?

Simply contact us by phone, text, or email. We'll answer your questions, schedule your child's placement consultation or trial class, and help you choose the best program.

Do you offer private lessons?

Yes! We offer private lessons for children of different ages and language levels.

Private lesson availability depends on our teachers' schedules. Please contact us for current availability and pricing, and we'll be happy to discuss the best option for your child.