English with Mariya K.

Language is not only about practice and grammar; It's about history, culture, people, and, most importantly, having fun while learning! I am thrilled every time I witness my student's progress, large and small; from when they begin to make the tiniest connections, then start to grasp larger concepts, and finally develop a firm command of and truly fall in love with the Russian language. I, like many modern Eastern Europeans today, was born in a country that no longer exists: the Soviet Union. We are all tremendously glad times have changed since then but nonetheless, we have been irrevocably shaped and molded by the world we found ourselves growing up in and around. There are many culturally relevant expressions, references, and jokes I could teach you that would build immediate rapport with both Russians and those from other post-Soviet countries. I teach my students both modern colloquial speaking patterns but also classical Russian, which earns the respect of native speakers.