Russian for the people in your life

It could be your partner, family, a client, or a friend. I teach adults to speak Russian with the people who are important to them.

Alena, a Russian teacher, smiles at the camera
Alena, your teacher

Is this you?

  • I live in Russia, but my partner still helps me at the doctor, because I cannot explain myself
  • At dinner with my partner's parents I cannot tell a funny story, and I understand only every fifth word
  • After several years of study I still make many mistakes and I cannot speak freely
  • I do not feel confident when I speak Russian with my clients
  • I am afraid to speak with native speakers. I do not have enough practice
  • I know more words than I can use

Sounds familiar? Then let's learn together. Here are the options:

Lessons and prices

All lessons are online and I write every lesson myself.

1:1 lessons

For you ifyou want lessons made for you.Any level, from zero to advanced

  • 60 minutes, at a time that fits you
  • Topics from your life and your work
  • Homework with my written feedback
  • The trial lesson is free
Single lesson
35 €
4 lessons
120 €30 € per lesson
8 lessons
240 €30 € per lesson
12 lessons
360 €30 € per lesson
Book a free trial lesson

Beginner group

For you ifyou start from zero or know only a little.From 0 to A2

  • 6 to 8 people, two lessons a week
  • Theory lesson, 60 minutes: you watch it alone, when you want
  • Live lesson, 90 minutes: we practise and speak a lot. If you miss it, you get the recording
  • Live lessons are on weekday evenings or at weekends. We choose a time that works for the group
  • You speak from the first live lesson
  • Built on my Brain Method
  • Next group starts at the end of October
1 month, 8 lessons
80 €10 € per lesson
Join the group

Speaking club

For you ifyou know the words but have nobody to speak with.A2 to B1

  • 4 meetings a month
  • Small group, topics from real adult life
  • Vocabulary before every meeting
  • Homework with my feedback
4 meetings
60 €15 € per meeting
Join the club

Want a group at another level? I open new groups when enough people ask. Write to me and tell me your level.

Write to me on Instagram

How I teach

No textbooks like at school

We use texts and videos about real life: a travel video from a blogger, an article about an artist, a text about your work.

Grammar inside real Russian

We learn the grammar inside these texts and videos. Then you use it when you speak.

The Brain Method

My background is in biology and neuroscience. I love to study how memory works, and I use it when I prepare my courses and lessons.

Look inside a lesson

How I explain a new topic
Inside a lesson
Alena smiles, her head on her hand
this is me :)

Hi, I'm Alena

I help adults learn Russian in a simple way, with topics they really care about.

I love learning foreign languages myself. I speak English and Italian, I am learning German and French, and I tried five more to see how their grammar works. So I know how it feels from the inside :)

I have also tried many teachers, and I know what boring lessons are: you open a textbook and go page by page. Brrr...

My goal is to build the lessons in a different way. I tried many methods and platforms, and after years of teaching I finally found the structure that works best for my students. Come and try it!

  • 8+years of teaching
  • 3000+hours of lessons
  • British schoolteaching experience

What my students say

  • A student writes: I am Brazilian, living in Spain with my Russian boyfriend. After five months I can finally speak with him without problems, about more than the weather
  • A student writes: I moved to Russia. We worked on situations I have every day: neighbours, documents, shopping. I feel much more confident
  • A student writes: we read Pushkin, Turgenev and Chekhov in the original, my Russian is more confident, and my Russian family can see the progress
  • A student writes in Russian after five months: I can speak better now, I remember the words, and I do not feel stuck
  • A student writes: your lessons get me speaking, learning feels enjoyable and easy, and thank you for being flexible with my schedule
  • A student writes: your classes are like fresh air, I hesitated to start and I am glad I made the right decision
  • Messages after the speaking club: I was nervous at first, the 1.5 hours flew by, everyone was nice and warm
  • A student writes about six months of lessons: Alena helped me understand cases and prepositions with materials about travel, movies, food and culture
  • A student writes: we made a two-month study plan and I passed my university exam
  • A student writes after five months of lessons and an exam result of 95

Questions

My partner speaks Russian. Why do I need a teacher?

Your partner speaks Russian, but teaching is a different skill. I explain the grammar in simple words and give you a plan. Then you practise at home with your partner.

I tried lessons before. It was only grammar, or we only talked about the weather.

My 1:1 lessons are built around your interests. Do you like art? I can prepare a lesson about artists and their masterpieces. Do you like business? We will discuss professional topics. Travel? We will watch travel videos from bloggers. You speak most of the time, and we learn the grammar inside these materials.

I have little time. Can I move a lesson?

Yes. You choose the time of every 1:1 lesson. You can move a lesson for free if you tell me at least 8 hours before. In the group, you get the recording if you miss a live lesson.

What happens in the trial lesson?

It is free and takes 30 minutes. I check your level, we talk about your goals, and I make a learning plan for you.

How do I pay? I do not have a Russian card.

Do not worry. I live in Europe and I am registered as self-employed, so I take all payments through Stripe. It is a safe and easy way to pay. You can choose Apple Pay, Google Pay, a card, PayPal and other options. Inside Europe you can also pay by bank transfer (IBAN). A package of 1:1 lessons is valid for 3 months.

Speak Russian with them

Start with a free trial lesson. We meet, I check your level, and you get a plan.

Learn with me for free Instagram TikTok YouTube Slow Russian Podcast