“Marina is a truly gifted language instructor. What sets her apart is her incredible empathy and patience—she instinctively understands the pressures her students face and tailors every single lesson to match their pacing and specific professional goals. Her unique method keeps you engaged and confident, even when tackling complex language structures. With her support, I successfully reached my target score on my official language exam. More importantly, Marina's approach ensured that I didn't just study to pass a test; I actually retained, deepened, and enhanced my speaking and comprehension skills. She is an absolute joy to learn from!.”

It is extremely helpful that Marina compile an ongoing list of vocabulary words that I stumble over during the course of our conversation, and that she email me the list shortly after the lesson. This helps to reinforce my existing vocabulary and move the words I know passively into my active vocabulary. This goes above and beyond what I think most foreign language teachers do, and I appreciate it.

Marina was a stand-out instructor for directly answering our questions in class, rather than deferring them or discouraging us from asking. Whenever we had a question, she would stop and explain the concept another way. 

Marina’s thorough organization of lesson plans enabled the lesson time to flow smoothly and also helped me to be organized in my study. The lessons were conducted on a very high level, similar to a university course. 

I have a Russian background, but my Russian was limited to conversational Russian with my relatives. We frequently intersperse American words. I tried reviewing my grammar books but learning modern Russian via grammar books is extremely cumbersome and dull. Marina's approach was exactly what I needed. Now not only has my comprehension improved, but I feel much more comfortable engaging in conversations. Instead of switching to English, my conversations with Russians now continue in Russian.

I worked with Marina for a mere two hours per week over the course of several months, and despite that paucity of time, I found my confidence in the language improve far beyond my expectations. I credit her materials and approach with my success on a recent comprehensive standardized exam. I can say without reservation that she is the best Russian instructor I’ve had in my language learning career, which has spanned several years of study at elite private and public universities and professional settings. Finally, Marina was always pleasant, positive and friendly. I wholeheartedly recommend her.

Overall, Marina is easily the best teacher I have ever had with Russian. She knows the language inside and out and can answer any questions I have regarding history or context of certain words. She also focuses on the stress in the word, as well as government forms (which words/grammar come after certain verbs) and that is not something most teachers even discuss. She wants you to understand and speak the language as a native from the outset of your studies. 

Marina's level of support and flexibility has been tremendous. However, the main reason I joined is because the teaching methodology works perfectly for me.

I now feel much more confident and I’m better able to express myself.
What I particularly appreciate is Marina’ dedication and cheerful benevolence, her attention and reactivity. She is accessible to her students, who may refer to her when they have doubts. Whenever I asked her a question, I got a quick, accurate and helpful answer. That is invaluable.