Our vision:
Experience America
Come and visit our centers located in libraries in Banská Bystrica, Dolný Kubín, Košice and Žilina. American centers are modern, technologically equipped spaces designed for education, creative activities, and networking. Our centers create opportunities for interactions between Slovaks and Americans and our two countries.
What Do we Offer:
English language teaching and learning materials
EducationUSA advising and test books for TOEFL, SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT
Fiction books for all ages
Non-fiction books on U.S. literature, linguistics, arts, history, political science, etc.
American films and documentaries on DVD (approximately 1,000 in each center)
American periodicals
eLibraryUSA database
English board games
Study room with computers and laptops and WiFi
STEM education
3D pens and 3D printers
Micro:bit sets, Ozobot sets
American Spaces provide information about the U.S. and help to foster mutual understanding and connections between Slovaks and Americans. Our Centers provide information about study opportunities in the USA and showcase American culture, history, and values. We also have materials to support English teachers, and students of English. Currently we run programs focused on STEM education and media literacy. The programs are often organized in cooperation with the U.S. Embassy in Bratislava.
Our activities:
English Language Learning
In each center, students and teachers have access to English learning materials such as dictionaries, linguistic publications and workbooks. New learners have access to materials suitable for beginners.
English teachers can subscribe to the English teaching FORUM by contacting any American center. FORUM magazine supports the teaching of English and is being published quarterly. The U.S. Embassy in Slovakia distributes the publication to schools for free.
EducationUSA Advising
Let us inspire you to study in the United States and give you a helping hand in your preparation for your dream study program. We manage a reference library collection at each of our centers and provide the public with basic information on study opportunities and the application process in the U.S. Additionally, we co-organize various other activities on topics related to studying in the United States. Apart from this, our centers offer access to the latest test preparation materials for the TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, GRE, GMAT and other standardized tests.
STEM Education
Our centers are equipped with laptops, micro:bits, ozobots and 3D printers for public use. Come with your classmates or just with friends, and check it out by learning some basic coding. We also regularly run workshops for teachers as well as students. Contact our coordinators and we can help you dive into the world of IT.
School Visits
Set up a class visit for your primary, secondary or university students. The students will be engaged by the center coordinator, who will prepare a thematic lecture, quiz, or technological activity, such as 3D printing or coding with Micro:bits. He or she will also present basic information about the center and its resources. To set up a visit, please contact the individual center.
Events and Programs
Come and attend our public discussions with American experts, language cafés, networking events, professional seminars and quizzes. We also organize information meetings on exchange programs in the U.S. where you can also meet alumni and hear their personal experiences. You can also join our regular Discussion Club in Košice or the Discussion and Film clubs in Žilina. American centers are places where you can meet U.S. Embassy representatives as well as education advisors from the Fulbright Commission. For more information follow our Facebook page and Instagram or ask the center coordinators.
Volunteering
Join our team and become a volunteer at the American center. You can help Slovaks learn English and help us organize events. You can even run a workshop on 3D printing, micro:bits or any of your cool hobbies. We are always looking for passionate photographers and social media enthusiasts. You will make new friends and become a member of our community.
Where we are:
American Center Košice
State Scientific Library
Hlavná 10, 042 30 Košice
+421 918 245 864
kosice@americanspaces.sk
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: | 9:00 am – 3:00 pm |
Tuesday, Thursday: | 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm |
Jozef Fabrici EducationUSA Advisor |
American Center Banská Bystrica
State Scientific Library
Lazovná 9, 975 58 Banská Bystrica
+421 48 471 0784
banskabystrica@americanspaces.sk
Monday - Friday: | 10:00 am – 12.30 pm and 1.00 pm – 5:00 pm |
Róbert Címer Coordinator |
American Center Žilina
Regional library in Žilina
Antona Bernoláka 47, 011 77 Žilina
+421 41 764 5622
zilina@americanspaces.sk
Monday: | 10:30 am – 5:00 pm |
Tuesday: | 10:30 am – 5:00 pm |
Wednesday: | 12:00 am – 6:00 pm |
Thursday: | 10:30 am – 5:00 pm |
Friday: | 10:30 am – 5:00 pm |
Ida Berthotyová Coordinator |
American Corner Dolný Kubín
Anton Habovštiak Orava library
Samuela Nováka 1763/2, 026 01 Dolný Kubín
+421 918 966 347
dolnykubin@americanspaces.sk
Monday - Friday: | 8:00 am – 4.00 pm |
Daniela Domiterová Murphy Coordinator |
Our community:
Lýdia Tobiášová Executive Director, J. W. Fulbright Commission for Educational Exchanges in the Slovak Republic |
“The mission of the Fulbright Commission is to promote mutual understanding between the people of the United States and Slovakia through educational and cultural exchanges. Thus, American Spaces Slovakia are of vital importance to achieve our goal in the regions. The American Centers’ coordinators are an integral part of our team at educational fairs, seminars and information sessions, an important connection to the local academic environment, and a resource of the life and society in these regions. American Centers are also a space where American grantees currently in Slovakia can personally meet with local communities and share the values, culture and life in the United States.”
Lýdia TobiášováMartina Gajdošová Volunteer, Book Club Košice |
“I started working with the American Center in Košice as a volunteer in 2019. I am running a Book Club, as books have always been my everyday companions. I’m glad that I can bring people closer to American writers and discuss their work. Every meeting is rewarding and inspiring. What I like most about the American center is that it is a place that brings together people interested in American culture, literature and provides many lectures and useful workshops. There is always a great atmosphere.”
Peter RidillaFrederika Copková Andrej Sládkovič High School, Banská Bystrica |
“I visited the American Center for the first time as a high school student and since then I have been very happy to return there, as a teacher with my students. The center provided us with interactive lessons or an opportunity to see an interesting document from the comfort of beanbags (that’s why my students like to come here). In addition, the center gave us lectures on opportunities to study in the U.S. and arranged visits to our school from the U.S. Embassy. The pleasant atmosphere in the center is complemented by the high professionalism of the head of the center.”
Frederika CopkováDianne McNarry Cooperative Baptist Fellowship volunteer |
“I have been involved with the American Center in Košice since 2005. I first came looking for English language books for myself and children after moving to Slovakia in 2004. I began facilitating a book club in 2006 and have continued to facilitate groups (book club and discussion club) since that time. Through the book and discussion clubs, I have met so many Slovaks who have expanded my understanding of the people and culture of Slovakia. Most importantly I have made many friends that continue through the years. We have built our own community of friends at American Center in Košice.”
Dianne McNarryMartina Martausová Department of British and American Studies, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University |
“I started visiting the American center in Košice when I was a doctoral student at the Department of British and American studies and took part in the discussion and movie clubs. I keep coming back to the center now with my students. Not only did we find space for student’s paper presentations, but also opportunities for informal discussions with the public on different topics connected to the American Studies program. The students have the opportunity to be confronted with a non-academic environment. They also appreciate movie screenings with discussions or inspiring presentations of guest speakers. We are very thankful for this space for discussion.”
Martina MartausováMartin Kubuš Department of British and American Studies, Matej Bel University Banská Bystrica |
“As a teacher of translation studies and an organizer of the Translation Soiree which our department organizes twice a year, I find the American Center’s contribution vital and priceless. Besides the rich selection of books, the center provides our students with an opportunity to meet translators (who translate American literature) in the flesh, as it were. Our students may discuss particular works, they learn a lot about translating, American literature and American culture as such. Thank you!”
Martin KubušRichard Petro Cultural-creative center Kláštor, Rožňava |
“I first came to the American Center in Košice as a student of British and American studies and I remember a lot of aha moments thanks to books about anglophone culture and language. I recall many discussions with the employees of the center that have influenced me a lot at that time. We are currently working with friends to establish an English Corner within our Cultural-creative center Kláštor in Rožňava.”
Richard PetroPetra Kotuliaková Aj ty v IT |
“American Spaces Slovakia are not only physical spaces where we can conduct our educational activities for girls and women. Our cooperation is mainly based on trust and mutual willingness to connect girls and technology, and to create conditions that further develop these connections. American spaces are definitely someone that works with us on the same wavelength.”
Petra KotuliakováPeter Rusinák The American Chamber of Commerce in SR |
“Since 2021, the American Center in Banská Bystrica and the American Chamber of Commerce have coordinated a unique development program called Entrepreneurial Thinking. We promote entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation with representatives of regional government and directors of secondary vocational schools. This project is in collaboration with our colleagues from the U.S. Embassy, and we appreciate the enthusiasm and sense of belonging fostered by the American Center!””
Peter RusinákTomáš Filip LEAF, High School St. Edita Stein, Košice |
„As a LEAF lecturer, I lead critical thinking workshops for the American Center in Košice, which are intended primarily, but not only for teachers. It is great that the American Center came up with the initiative for these workshops and I appreciate the opportunity to lead them and get to know not only the teachers but also everyone interested in developing their knowledge and skills. Information overload increases the importance of critical analysis of available data and the ability to distinguish propaganda, disinformation, and conspiracy theories from relevant content, as well as the ability to formulate one’s opinion precisely and concisely. And this is what we are trying to do in the American Center in Košice.“
Tomáš FilipJohn Edwin Skelton Volunteer, York, England |
“The American Center in the Banská Bystrica State Library is a most useful facility. The comprehensive range of books, magazines, and information pamphlets is a superb resource that provides businesses, universities, schools and citizens with reading materials that cover all manners of topics. Thanks to the center, I was able to share my knowledge with students from all over the region and even start a discussion group. Just pop into the State Library and ‘enjoy’.”
John Edwin SkeltonLenka Hlinková Ženský algoritmus |
„Books, English, and technology. These are the three tools I have been using for my work daily for years. The American Center Košice has them set in a magical space, and under the leadership of skilled people, this combination acquires a very powerful dimension.For the second year in a row, we have been cooperating in the education of women, girls, and teachers in the field of information technology. Together we build a community of tech enthusiasts and despite the pandemic, we are spreading it online and far beyond the borders of Eastern Slovakia. “
Lenka Hlinková