1. What are the lessons like?

They are one-on-one, online sessions via Skype, and make use of interactive materials. You’ll need:
- a computer or tablet (phone screens are too small);
- a fast and stable internet connection (enough to stream videos in good quality, for example);
- a webcam (visual contact is very important for any communication), and of course, a microphone.

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2. I've already studied Russian before. Do I have to start from scratch again?

Not necessarily. In this case, we start with an assessment of your previous knowledge. If you need to review the alphabet or another topic, we can do that, too.
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3. Are the learning materials included in the price?

At the moment, I usually work with digital materials because purchasing and shipping coursebooks from Russia is too expensive. Also, it's important to remember that there’s no such thing as the perfect coursebook — or the perfect course. The digital materials are included in the price of the lessons. I follow a structured program but customize the material for each student. We start with a shared blank text document file that will grow with each lesson, accumulating theoretical explanations in English, along with Russian examples and practice. You can choose to print the pages or just keep them on your screen.

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4. I don’t want to study grammar. Can't we just have conversation lessons instead?

Russian is quite different from English, so it’s not really possible to skip grammar completely... but instead of “studying” it, you’ll understand and use it to build your own sentences in Russian. It’s much more practical to understand how a rule works than to memorize a bunch of set phrases. In our lessons, yes, we do grammar exercises — but they’re just a starting point for conversations: first very short ones, later more developed. Patience is important, and remember that at a beginner level, it’s still not possible to have free conversations or express opinions on any topic (at least not in good Russian, haha).

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5. I don't have much time to study or do homework. Is that a problem?

Everyone has their own pace, and it’s important for me to follow each student’s rhythm and recognize their small victories from one lesson to the next. I plan each lesson individually based on the previous one, and I keep a record of our content so the student can always review their learning journey. Time spent studying matters, of course, but what matters even more is focus during lessons. If your schedule isn’t very stable, we can use the “on demand” format. And if you don’t have time for homework, that’s okay too — we’ll do all the necessary work during class.

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6. Are the lessons 100% in Russian, or can we speak English too?

Generally, the less chatting in English, the better. First, because it’s in your best interest to speak more Russian than English, which you already speak perfectly (unless your goal is to give your teacher more practice in English, haha). Second, because it’s harder for the brain to keep switching between two languages than to stick to one for a while. That said, at the A1 level, we do use a little English to make explanations easier. The digital materials I provide also come with English translations if you want to review something between lessons.

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7. What happens if I make a mistake or forget something?

To err is human — and actually helpful. It’s the best sign that we’re learning something new. I don’t use a red pen. Okay, I have one, but I never use it — I mark things in other colors. Rather than scolding students for mistakes, I appreciate them (the mistakes and the students!) — we pause, carefully analyze the tricky part together, and find a better way to express the idea (if possible at that level). The goal is to speak correctly and self-correct over time, but the path to get there is built on trial and error.

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8. Do you offer lessons for children?

I work only with adults (ages 16 and up), as I'm not trained in teaching methods for children.

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9. What's the difference between on-demand lessons and monthly plans?

On-demand lessons are ideal for those who don’t have a fixed weekly schedule or prefer to book lessons individually as it suits them. The monthly plans have a lower price per lesson but offer less flexibility. During the hours covered by a monthly plan, the schedule must be maintained. Once the hours for a plan are used (typically about a month’s worth), the student can renew the plan with a new time slot, depending on the teacher’s availability.

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10. How long does it take to become fluent?

That depends on what exactly you mean by “fluent.” By the end of the elementary level, for instance, students are able to hold basic conversations in everyday situations, such as meeting someone new, ordering food in a restaurant, or complaining about a problem in a hotel room. The time it takes to complete each level varies from person to person and depends on their effort and engagement.