REEEC has several ongoing outreach initiatives, but is always looking for more ways to get involved with our community. Please contact us if you are interested in hosting a speaker or our cultural activities for younger learners.
CURRENT PROGRAMS
Head Start: Cultural Activities for Young Learners
Since Spring 2015, REEEC has been working with Champaign County Head Start in Savoy to provide monthly cultural programming for their young learners (ages 3-5). REEEC’s programming has also expanded to offer monthly activities at the Champaign Head Start location.
Slavic Story Time
REEEC staff and students visit public libraries to tell stories from our region and make crafts with local children. We are currently working with the Urbana Free Library. We are also working with the other area studies centers at the University of Illinois for International Story Time.
After School Language Program
REEEC has hired a graduate student interested in language education to visit a local grade school twice a week and teach beginning Russian to children in grades 4-5. We are currently working with the Urbana Before and After School Child Care Program.
Orchard Downs Kid's Club
Starting in Fall 2021, REEEC has collaborated with the Orchard Downs Community Center's after school program to teach middle school students about Russia, Eastern Europe, and Eurasia through monthly presentations and interactive hands-on activities.
Illinois ACTR Olympiada of Spoken Russian
In collaboration with the American Councils of Teachers of Russian (ACTR) and the Center for East European and Russian/Eurasian Studies at the University of Chicago, we organize an annual competition for high school students taking Russian. Students demonstrate their language skills and knowledge of Russian culture as well as visit a college campus and learn about continuing their Russian studies. The competition alternates between taking place at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the University of Chicago.