Can learning English be fun, insightful, productive and effective at the same time? I believe so! Whatever your background or profession, deciding to learn a foreign language is a great way to add another dimension to your life and make your mind work in a new way. You become a (slightly) different person, since along with a new language, one learns to look at the world in a slightly different way. This is why my approach to teaching English is not only aimed at laying or strengthening the foundational knowledge - grammar, speaking, writing and listening skills, but also at introducing students to the culture of the English-speaking population. We will find out what English speakers find funny, what drives them to tears, what makes them feel proud and what they get embarrassed about. Open to students of all levels, my course usually is taught online, using a variety of visual aids and a wide range of material, from textbooks to YouTube videos. In teaching advanced learners, I often refer to pieces of literature such as novels and poems, since they easily spark discussions, which in turn improves the students' grasp and feel of the language. In doing so, I take students beyond ordinary textbooks and grammar books, since they are no more than guides to learning, not absolute authorities, and because to me language is a living, constantly evolving matter, which you must submerge yourself into in order to understand. In addition to my unorthodox approach, what sets me apart is a collection of unique, language-related experiences, which translate into a good ability to understand nuances of the English language. A native Russian speaker, I have lived in the UK for over 5 years, went to a Scottish boarding school and have even completed a university degree in English. Thanks to my linguistic and cultural competency, I will make sure that you are never lost in translation! Are you interested? Then contact me today!

Are you having difficulties analysing texts, poems and prose in your IGCSE English, IB English Literature or IB LangLit course? Are you ready to commit an hour every week over the summer to get that 6 or 7 and get into the university of your dreams? Then this is the course for you! From helping you master the general techniques of literary analysis and teaching you how to compare literary works to answer exam questions on character development, theme and techniques, my course will provide you with all the tools and knowledge you need to dazzle even the most demanding IB examiner. The combination of my passion for writing prose and poetry and my deep understanding of IB marking criteria thanks to great teachers and thoughtful research means that I am uniquely placed to not only explain what your answers were lacking, but also show you how thinking like a writer can help you dramatically improve your answers. Following a thorough discussion of your individual needs in our first class, I will create for you an engaging but exam-focused programme drawing on my 3-year experience as a tutor and using interactive teaching platforms. Through my course, you will get access to a vast library of resources (at no extra cost) - from official IB textbooks and past papers to teacher guidance - to help you perfect both your analytical and essay-writing skills. And if English is your second language, I will show you what to focus on in your learning so that you could write better than Shakespeare! Are you ready to turn the page on disappointing grades in the past? Then contact me today!

Are you studying at university and considering a carrier in law or public policy? Or are you in school and looking for a way to stand out in your university applications? Or maybe you already are a member of your local debating/mooting society or of a MUN and just would like some help? Debating (or mooting in the legal sphere) is a way of orally presenting and defending arguments on a set topic. To do well, a participant needs a range of skills - from being able to speak clearly and concisely to being able to quickly analyse the argument of the opposing side and come up with a counter in a matter of minutes. Debating takes a lot of intelligence and a lot of preparation, but there is no better feeling than the triumph of having defended your position with facts and logic. In this class, I will take you through all the basics of debating. For example, we will talk about (and practice) how to effectively introduce, explain and defend a position as well as what to do when presented with a dissenting view. I will explain, using the exercises I designed while teaching debating internationally, what makes a strong argument, introducing you to the world of logics. I will also use my experience participating in and coaching teams for debating competitions such as the prestigious international Herbert Smith Freehills Competition Law Moot to teach you to think like a debater and to captivate the attention of judges and other listeners with impeccable advocate-like presentation manner, outperforming the opposition both on content and on style. Would you like to become a pro debater? Then contact me today!