Heritage Language Programs - Ukrainian
T. Shevchenko School of Ukrainian Studies
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Address: 3425 Marion Cliffs Drive Parma, OH 44164
Telephone: (440) 886-3223
Web address: www.shevchenkoschool.org
Contact person
Name: Volodymyr H. Bodnar
Title: Director
Email: director@shevchenkoschool.org
Telephone: (330) 554-6429
Languages/dialects taught: Ukrainian
Grades taught: PreK-11
Program Description
Purposes and goals of the program: The goal of the program is to educate the young generation of Ukrainians of the Greater Cleveland area in Ukrainian traditions, language, literature, culture, geography, and history. The program seeks to maintain generational links and to pass along spiritual, cultural, and intellectual achievements of the Ukrainian people.
Type of program: Saturday school
Program origin: The school began in 1955 as a response to the high influx of Ukrainian immigrants in the Cleveland area. A detailed history of the program can be found on the program's Web site.
Parents
Parents’ expectations for the program: Parents expect their children to speak, write, and read Ukrainian and to know basic history and culture.
Staff
Instructors’ and administration’s expectations for the program: Instructors want to educate the Ukrainian youth and create strong connections within the community.
Students
Students: 70 students
How the program identifies heritage speakers: The program allows students to self-identify as heritage speakers.
Possible reasons for student withdrawal: Students withdraw when their parents move to another location. Otherwise, the school has a 90% completion rate.
Students’ expectations of the program: Students come to the program wanting to learn Ukrainian to be able to communicate with relatives and community members.
Instructors
Number of instructors in the program: 22 instructors
Languages in which instructors are proficient: Ukrainian
Proficiency level: Native or near-native speakers
Credentials: The majority of the instructors hold a degree in education.
Professional development opportunities instructors have: Instructors attend a two-week teacher seminar.
Instruction
Total contact hours per week: 3.5 hours on Saturdays
Student grouping: Students are grouped by age.
Language skills
Skills developed by the program: Comprehension, speaking, reading and writing
Heritage language skills: Comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing
Culture
Aspects of culture taught: Geography, history, and culture
Kind of student identity program fosters: The program stresses a strong Ukrainian identity for the students.
Methodologies
Methodologies and instructional strategies used in the program: Educational strategies are interactive, and language is taught in a full-immersion style.
Materials
Other materials used for instruction: Textbooks and homework assignments
Technology used for instruction: Technology is not regularly incorporated.
Assessment
Assessments used to evaluate students’ progress: Students are given intermediate tests and quizzes, and a final exam is administered at the end of the 11th grade.
Articulation
How the program develops home/school connections or promotes parent involvement: Parents are encouraged to continue speaking the language at home, giving students extra practice and daily exposure.
Opportunities for using the heritage language and developing cultural knowledge outside the program: The community in Cleveland is host to many annual events and activities, such as the annual St. Nicholas program in December and the Commemorative Taras Shevchenko Concert in March.
What the program has in place
Financial support the program receives: Tuition, donations, and fundraisers
Assistance or funding the program would like to receive: The program would like to receive support from the Ukrainian government and the UCCA Educational Council in the form of textbooks and funds.
How students graduate or receive credit: Students do not receive formal language credits yet, though some students have received independent study credits.
Program research or evaluation: The program is evaluated for effectiveness of instruction.
Special challenges
Challenges the program has experienced: Our challenges include finding the time to develop more resources and having enough resources to become an independent school, separate from the St. Vladimirs Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral.
