Are you interested in stimulating your children's creativity, nourish their bicultural and bilingual heritage?
Our Romanian Heritage Language School offers innovative virtual classes and workshops for children, youth and adults with Romanian background or with an interest to learn Romanian, nationwide. Our teaching methods are based on the core principles of Heritage Language Education that nourish bilingualism and address holisitically the bi-cultural identity of our students through project-based activities, play, authentic sources, critical thinking, and meaningful interactions with their families and communities. Our students gain pride and confidence as heritage language speakers and learners of Romanian, while developing a global understanding of the world.
We are the first and only Romanian secular community-based school to have developed a teaching curriculum according to the priciples of HERITAGE EDUCATION, since 2016. We are looking for partners and happy to share our methodology with other communities in the Romanian diaspora. Please write to Otilia Baraboi at otilia.baraboi@arcsproject.org to find out more about our programs and possible collaborations with your communities.
Our current students come from numerous regions in the US. We can accommodate to various time zones and have demonstrated experience teaching multiple levels and age groups.
Due to the pandemic, we hold our classes ONLINE. Please scroll down to find out more about our schedule.
REGISTRATION is now OPEN for ages 4-14+.
Please REGISTER here. We will contact you to schedule a brief language evaluation.
Please send us an email at contact@arcsproject.org if you have questions.
We offer scholarships to families in need. Please contact Otilia Baraboi at otilia.baraboi@arcsproject.org if you would like to be considered. The application process is easy and based on an email detailing your situation.
Past events
Mate cu Elis /Math with Elis (Tutoring)
Instructor
When
Feb. 1, 2021 at 10:00 AM - 28 Jun. 2021 at 11:00 AM
Where
ONLINE
What
If your child needs help to understand math concepts, her/his with homework, or likes to solve challenging problems and wants to learn more, now we offer one-on-one online math tutoring (elementary/middle school level). The sessions are 60 min long, once a week, following BSD's calendar. The instructor is a Washington state certified middle school math teacher and the instruction can be in English, Romanian, or both. The schedule is to be decided with each student.
How much?
$40/session (1 hour)
The payment will be made after the first session, which will be a trial to see if online instruction is a fit for the student. If it is not, then you will not be charged for it.
Please REGISTER here:
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Dacă copilul dumneavoastră are nevoie de ajutor la matematică sau dacă ar vrea să învețe mai mult, vă oferim clase one-on-one online de matematică pentru clasele elementare și de gimnaziu. O ședință durează 60 de minute, acestea fiind opțiunile oferite:
- Lecții săptămânale, urmând calendarul anului școlar al districtului din Bellevue,
- Două lecții pe săptămână, urmând calendarul anului școlar al districtului din Bellevue,
- Număr redus de lecții, doar atunci când copilul are nevoie de ajutor suplimentar pentru un anumit topic.
Intructorul este profesor de matematică pentru gimnaziu, certificat de statul WA. Ședințele pot fi în limba română, engleză, sau amândouă.
Cost: $35/sesiune; $140/4 sesiuni, 1 oră fiecare.
Pentru cei ce optează pentru varianta 1 sau 2, plata se va face după prima sesiune pentru a vedea dacă clasele online se potrivesc stilului de învățare al copilului dumneavoastră. Această primă sesiune va fi gratuită dacă veți considera că nu este conform așteptărilor dvs.
Vă rugăm să completați FORMULAR de înscriere de mai sus pentru a ne ajuta să adaptăm cursul nevoilor dvs.
Club Piticot (ages 4-5)
Instructor
When
Feb. 22, 2021 at 10:00 AM - 31 May. 2021 at 10:30 AM
Where
Online
What
The program supports children in developing communication skills in Romanian. They will discover Romanian culture and traditions through play, movement, poems, games, storytime, arts and crafts. Basic or no knowledge of Romanian.
Time: Wednesdays1:30pm-2pm PDT OR Fridays 3:30pm-4pm PDT. Groups of 4-5 children / 30min, weekly sessions.
Tuition: 14 sessions for $ 210 (15$/30min) - please scroll down for payment options.
Weekly Calendar:
Weeks of Feb 22
Weeks of Mar 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Week of Apr 5, 26
Weeks of May 3, 10, 17, 24
Week of June 1st, 8
Spring Break:
April 12-23
Romanian Pioneers (ages 10-13)
Instructors
Ileana Marin, Ph.D. and Otilia Baraboi, Ph.D.
When
Feb. 22, 2021 at 02:30 PM - 31 May. 2021 at 03:30 PM
Where
Online
What
This class aims to help students explore and embrace their Romanian identity and heritage. They will discover Romanian illustrous figures and find inspiration in their pioneer spirit, courage and tenacity. The students will interact with real Romanian role models while developing a global perspective of their place into the world as bilingual and bicultural citizens. Basic knowledge of Romanian required. Groups of 4-5 students / 60 min, weekly sessions
Tuition: 14 sessions for $ 350 (25$/h)- please scroll down for payment options.
Time: Wednesdays 2:30pm-3:30pm; 4pm-5pm PDT OR Fridays 3:30pm-4:30pm PDT
Weekly Calendar:
Weeks of Feb 22
Weeks of Mar 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Week of Apr 5, 26
Weeks of May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
Week of June 1st
Spring Break:
April 12-23
Write Your Own One-Act Play
Instructor
When
Feb. 22, 2021 at 03:30 PM - 02 Jun. 2021 at 04:30 PM
Where
online
What
This course is designed for students who, irrespective of their age (10+??), want to enhance their writing skills while they give voice to two or three characters engaged in an intriguing plot. During the 14 hour-units in the second semester, students will learn to create dramatic heroes and heroines by navigating a short array of speech acts, by writing stage directions that describe both the setting and the protagonists’ distinctive features, body language, and costumes. We will also read / watch famous age-appropriate one-act plays by Anton Chekhov, August Strindberg, and Eugene Ionesco, in order to understand the structure of a short but intense conflict and to transfer writing skills into everyday life language and encounters, and vice versa. By the end of the class, we hope to have some publishable texts and/or a zoom performance of these short plays.
Tuition: 14 sessions for $ 350 (25$/h) - please scroll down for payment options.
Time: Wednesdays 3:30-4:30pm PDT or Friday afternoons (exact time TBD). Groups of 4-5 students / 60 min, weekly.
Weekly Calendar:
Weeks of Feb 22
Weeks of Mar 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Week of Apr 5, 26
Weeks of May 3, 10, 17, 24
Week of June 1st, 8
Spring Break:
April 12-23
Introduction to Romanian Language and Culture (ages 10-13)
Instructor
When
Feb. 22, 2021 at 03:30 PM - 31 May. 2021 at 04:30 PM
Where
Online
What
This class is tailored for students of Romanian origin who do not understand, nor speak the language, but who have been exposed to Romanian culture and are curious to find out more about their heritage. They will learn basic conversational skills in Romanian and will improve their pronunciation, vocabulary, writing and reading skills.They will gain confidence in their communication skills and will be able to connect with their Romanian family in meaningful ways. No knowledge of Romanian required. Groups of 4-5 students / 60 min, weekly sessions.
Tuition: 14 sessions for $ 350 (25$/h) - please scroll down for payment options.
Time: Wednesday 2:15pm-3:15pm PDT
Weekly Calendar:
Weeks of Feb 22
Weeks of Mar 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Week of Apr 5, 26
Weeks of May 3, 10, 17, 24
Week of June 1st, 8
Spring Break:
April 12-23
Introduction to Romanian Language and Culture (ages 14 +)
Instructor
When
Feb. 22, 2021 at 03:30 PM - 31 May. 2021 at 04:30 PM
Where
Online
What
This class is tailored for students of Romanian origin nationwide who do not understand, nor speak the language, but who have been exposed to Romanian culture and are curious to find out more about their heritage. They will learn basic conversational skills in Romanian and will develop their pronunciation, vocabulary, writing and reading knowledge.They will gain confidence and will be able to connect with their Romanian family in meaningful ways. No knowledge of Romanian required.
Tuition: 14 sessions for $ 350 (25$/h) - please scroll down for payment options.
Time: Fridays 3:30pm-4:30 pm PDT OR 5pm-6pm. Groups of 4-5 students / 60 min, weekly.
Weekly Calendar:
Weeks of Feb 22
Weeks of Mar 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Week of Apr 5, 26
Weeks of May 3, 10, 17, 24
Week of June 1st, 8
Spring Break:
April 12-23
Introduction to Romanian Language and Culture (ages 6-9)
Instructor
When
Feb. 22, 2021 at 03:30 PM - 31 May. 2021 at 04:30 PM
Where
online
What
This class is tailored for students of Romanian origin who do not understand, nor speak the language, but who have been exposed to Romanian culture and are curious to find out more about their heritage. They will learn basic conversational skills in Romanian and will improve their pronunciation, vocabulary, writing and reading skills.They will gain confidence in their communication skills and will be able to connect with their Romanian family in meaningful ways. No knowledge of Romanian required. Groups of 4-5 students / 60 min, weekly sessions.
Tuition: 14 sessions for $ 350 (25$/h) - please scroll down for payment options
Time: Wednesday or Friday afternoons (exact time to be arranged according to students' and parents' schedule)
Weekly Calendar:
Weeks of Feb 22
Weeks of Mar 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Week of Apr 5, 26
Weeks of May 3, 10, 17, 24
Week of June 1st, 8
Spring Break:
April 12-23
Romanian Heroes (ages 6-9)
Instructor
When
Feb. 22, 2021 at 05:00 PM - 31 May. 2021 at 06:00 PM
Where
Online
What
This class aims to help students explore and fully embrace their Romanian identity. They will learn about human relations and emotions through the study of Romanian legedary characters, illustrous historic figures, as well as contemporary stars. We will use fun engaging methodologies to enrich their daily vocabulary, strengthen communication skills, improve pronunciation and reading competence through short texts, poems, songs, proverbs, riddles, and games. The students will intearact with real Romanian role models that they will discover throughout the semester.
Basic knowledge of Romanian required.
Groups of 4-5 students / 60 min, weekly, 14 sessions for $ 350 (25$/h)
Time: Wed 5pm-6pm PDT OR Th 4:30-5:30pm PDT
Weekly Calendar:
Weeks of Feb 22
Weeks of Mar 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Week of Apr 5, 26
Weeks of May 3, 10, 17, 24
Week of June 1st, 8
Spring Break:
April 12-23
Introduction to Romanian Language and Culture (ages 14 +)
Instructors
When
March 2, 2021 at 03:00 PM - 02 Mar. 2021 at 04:00 PM
Where
online
What
This class is tailored for students of Romanian origin nationwide who do not understand, nor speak the language, but who have been exposed to Romanian culture and are curious to find out more about their heritage. They will learn basic conversational skills in Romanian and will develop their pronunciation, vocabulary, writing and reading knowledge.They will gain confidence and will be able to connect with their Romanian family in meaningful ways. No knowledge of Romanian required.
Tuition: 14 sessions for $ 350 (25$/h) - please scroll down for payment options.
Time: Tuesdays 3pm-4pm PDT Groups of 4-5 students / 60 min, weekly.
Weekly Calendar:
Mar 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Apr 6, 27
May 4, 11, 18, 25
Jun 1, 8, 15
Spring Break:
April 12-23
Learn Romanian and Discover Your Inner Artist with Illustrator Oana Ispir (ages 7-10)
When
March 13, 2021 at 10:00 AM - 24 Apr. 2021 at 11:00 AM
Where
online
What
Join Romanian illustrator Oana Ispir for a 6-week series of workshops where you will discover your artistic talents. Each workshop will be accompanied with a series of activities that will improve your Romanian vocabulary and conversation skils.
Here is more about Oana's work: https://oanaispir.com/
Tuition: 6 sessions for $ 150 (25$/h) - DISCOUNTED Class: $125 - please scroll down for payment options.
Time: Saturday mornings at 10am. Groups of 4-5 students / 60 min, weekly.
Weekly Calendar:
April 24
May 1, 8, 15, 22
June 5
Holiday
Memorial Day Weekend - May
Payment options
Romanian Heritage School Spring 2021
New Student, 2nd child per family (10 weeks, discounted)
$230
New Student - 10 weeks
$250
Art Lessons with Oana Ispir
pay by April 24
$125
Mate cu Elis/Math with Elis
$40
Club Piticot (30 min sessions)
pay by Oct 11
$210
Instructors
Otilia Baraboi, Ph.D.
otilia.baraboi@arcsproject.org
Before coming to Seattle in 2000 from Romania, Otilia worked as a literary journalist and published short-fiction, translations and articles. She holds university degrees in French and English literatures from Romania, Switzerland, and the US. She has a Ph.D. on the politics of translation from the University of Washington, where she taught French language and literature for 17 years, and where she is currently co-teaching a course on Romanian literature and film. In 2013, she co-founded ARCS and was President of the Board for five years before becoming ARCS’ first Executive Director. For Otilia, ARCS has been a wonderful opportunity to remain connected with the vibrant culture of her birthplace, while contributing to the artistic and cultural vitality of the Pacific Northwest. As part of her work, Otilia has been managing the Romanian Film Festival in Seattle and ARCS community-based school for Romanian heritage students, as well as more than 300 cultural and educational events over the past 9 years. Her priorities are to create sustainable, community-building programs and partnerships, as well as develop ARCS' brand identity in accordance with its mission and values. Most of all, Otilia hopes that her work will have a direct, long-lasting impact on the ways in which future generations will define, celebrate and pass on their heritage. Otilia is also the President of the Ethnic Heritage Council of the Pacific Northwest and a board member of Romanian United Fund.
Ileana Marin, Ph.D.
Ileana Marin teaches interdisciplinary courses at the University of Washington in Seattle and at the Center of Excellence in Image Studies at the University of Bucharest. Her long-standing academic career on both sides of the ocean has given her the opportunity to establish contacts between Romanian and American scholars, artists, and institutions. She, thus, initiated the first UW Exploration Seminar to Romania, and to Eastern Europe, and opened the fund for Romanian Studies, hoping that Romanian language will be taught regularly in Seattle. With a BA in Romanian and a PhD. in Comparative Literature from the University of Bucharest (2000), and one in Textual Studies from the UW (2011), Ileana is a strong believer in the power of education and bilingualism. In ARCS, she advocates the expansion of the Romanian language programs in the US and for disseminating the most recent Romanian cultural achievements. On her agenda as president, Ileana Marin has two major tasks: board development and recruitment to ensure the successful implementation of ARCS mission through meaningful programs.
Elizabeta Iliescu
elizabeta.iliescu@arcsproject.org
Elizabeta Iliescu was born in Northern Romania where she grew up very attached to her grandparents. After high school, she moved to Bucharest where she studied physics and worked for an insurance company. She moved to the US with her family in 2008. The love of being around children made her look for opportunities to work with them. She has an AAS-T Certificate in Early Childhood Careers, a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics, and she is a Washington state certified middle school math teacher. Elizabeta volunteered and worked in various early childhood education programs and is currently working with Bellevue School District as a teacher substitute. She is also collaborating with Bellevue Library for the program Romanian Story Times / Poveşti româneşti.
Oana Ispir
Oana Ispir is a freelance illustrator living and working in Deva, Romania.
Most of her work revolves around book illustration - for children or adults and, on occasions, she also draws for magazines, board games, or advertising agencies.
She enjoys exploring new techniques and her favorites so far are ink, watercolor and pencils when working on paper. For digital works she always starts on paper, sometimes just for sketching and making textures other times just using Photoshop to add color and tweak an almost final drawing.
She enjos living close to nature, so naturally, on her list of favorite subjects are nature, landscape, animals and of course emotions.
A few personal projects that she loves to explore are printmaking (linocut & monotype) and craft making (embroidery & sculpture).