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ABOUT US
The Zawarka Club is an educational space for children whose native language is Russian. Here children learn to read and write, develop oral speech skills, as well as realize their artistic and musical abilities, while actively communicating with their peers.
The first lesson in the Zawarka Club took place on May 7, 2016 at the Warsaw Multicultural Center. Since then, we — parents and children — began to meet every Saturday to read aloud, draw, act out skits and performances together. Over time, wonderful teachers, artists and musicians joined us, we got our own space and our own library, workshops and lessons began to take place not only on Saturdays. During the time the club existed, more than 400 families from different countries with different histories of moving to Poland took part in the classes, and many of our students have already grown up and become successful students who are fluent in several languages.
Our club unites both those who live in Warsaw temporarily and those who have decided to settle here permanently. People come to us to communicate, study, and receive support in solving difficult and important issues — and all this in a friendly and constructive atmosphere.
OUR APPROACH
Fluency in several languages is always a plus: for future career, intellectual development and broader horizons. We try to give our pupils maximum opportunities for self-realization. A child who finds himself or herself in a new, unfamiliar language environment feels different from the rest. It is important to support him or her, to show the possibilities and prospects of learning a new language in a safe peer environment. We can help a child realize the advantages of speaking several languages, learn the language of the country in which the child lives, so that he/she can communicate with peers on equal terms.
Children who grew up in a multilingual environment will learn other foreign languages much more easily in the future and are more open to new knowledge and experience. Learning several languages stimulates the development of thinking. And thanks to regular classes, children make fewer speech mistakes, do not get confused in words and sentence structures. The brain of a bilingual child, with proper activity, switches between languages faster and easier. That is why it is important to support, among other things, the development of the native language.
OUR CLASSES
EARLY DEVELOPMENT
Children from 1.5 to 3 years old
At the age of 1 to 3 years, a child strives to learn more about the world around him/her, to understand the purpose of objects, to distinguish their shapes, textures, weight, colors and taste. Classes for the youngest in the club are held jointly with their parents. Children interact with each other and with the teacher through musical warm-ups and playing with objects, develop tactile and motor skills, and also get acquainted with the structure of the world around them: they peel fruits and vegetables, count, do gymnastics to music and draw.
ARTS
For children from 4 to 11 years old
In arts classes, our teachers help children master the basics of composition, understand the properties of various tools and materials. The child develops a sense of color and perception of palette combinations, finds her/his own style and experiences inspiration. Our students can actually try many interesting ways of working with color and creative expression — from classical painting to grattage, blotting and monotype!
PREPARATION FOR POLISH SCHOOL
For children 5-6 years old
The main objective of the course is to teach the basics of grammar and spelling, expand vocabulary and prepare for communication with Polish-speaking peers. Students will learn the history of words, expressions, idioms and phraseologies. Using the methods of teaching languages to bilingual children, we conduct classes using language games and quizzes that help develop speech skills. A variety of exercises will interest a child of any age.
SATURDAY SCHOOL
Activities for children 3-4 years old
Classes with a speech therapist, creative and music workshops
For kids 3-4 years old, we offer a special set of activities for their harmonious growth. Every Saturday, children gather in small groups to dance and engage in outdoor games, which develop their sensory and motor skills, improve coordination and teach to better control their bodies. In speech therapy classes, children play and complete tasks which help expand their vocabulary and develop confidence in communication. The set also includes creativity class — drawing and modeling to develop fine motor skills, imagination and logical thinking. All these help kids to learn and grow in an interesting and supporting environment.
Activities for children 5-9 years old
Reading and writing, speech development, art and music
In our Saturday School, workshop are held in a warm and creative atmosphere. Children learn to write and read, expand their vocabulary, develop their creativity, engaging in arts, music and modeling. Thanks to Saturday classes, the children learn the basics of grammar and improve their communication skills. Our classes help children to maintain and strengthen their connection with their native language in order to express their thoughts confidently, while music and creativity classes develop an interest in arts and instill a musical taste.
Group math classes
For children over 4 years old
Learning mathematics helps to development of children's skills in many ways. Exercises boost logical thinking, memory and attention, which helps to concentrate and memorize information better. Solving problems strengthens self-confidence: every success motivates the child to further learning. Mathematics also teaches children to find solutions in different situations. It provides a solid foundation for studying other subjects such as physics and computer science.
How to help us
The "Zawarka" club strongly protests the military actions in Ukraine and expresses support to all those who have been forced to leave their homes.
Join us in helping children and families adapt to Polish society while maintaining their language and cultural identity.
We stand for peace!
You can support our activities and make a donation to our bank account
EUR Account
PL15 1160 2202 0000 0003 1641 4825
USD Account
PL95 1160 2202 0000 0002 9748 8976
PLN Account
PL76 1160 2202 0000 0002 9638 1869
SWIFT: BIGBPLPW
Bank: Bank Millennium, 2A Stanisława Żaryna str., 02-593 Warsaw Poland
Name and address of the payee:
Fundacja WOT, ul. Jaworzyńska 4 lok.2, 00-634 Warsaw, Poland
Purpose of payment:
Contribution for statutory activities
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OUR TEACHERS
Eugenia
DRAWING FOR KIDS
Venera
SPEECH THERAPIST
Ksenia
RUSSIAN LANGUAGE
Polina Perova
DRAWING
Graduated from art college and university of culture. She conducted master classes in pottery and molding. She has been accompanying children and adults on their creative journey for more than 10 years!
Основатели клуба
Мария Хармаст
Переводчик польского, английского и испанского языков, социолог. Выпускница РГГУ в Москве, Института философии и социологии Польской Академии Наук, а также переводческих факультетов Варшавского и Варминско-мазурского университетов.
Мама 18-летней дочки-билингва, живет в Польше более 20 лет.
Feedback from parents
A good place for children, conveniently located in the center, close to the subway. My daughters have been going to Zavarka on Saturdays for 3 years, they're all very satisfied. At home we speak Polish, and in "Zavarka" they have an opportunity not only to study but also to communicate and play with their peers in Russian.
Alexandra Slonets
Wonderful club, wonderful people! My older son went to summer camp, and the younger son studied with Anastasia, both are very happy! Now the older one is looking forward to the classes.
Varvara Magomedova
Our favorite place to meet on Saturdays and beyond! At Zavarka, lessons are play-based, with a welcoming, attentive atmosphere. Despite the varying speeds at which children do their assignments, the teachers provide a form of teaching that the children are not bored, do not worry, and the class is interesting and dynamic. We are very satisfied!
Anna Kolesnikova
Club contacts
Our Partners:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, Ośrodek Karta, Uniwersytet Warszawski, Centrum Łowicka, Wolski Dom Kultury, Ashoka, Miasto Stołeczne Warszawa, Miasto Gdańsk.