Visited 3 days ago
Polina
Community TutorTeaches
Russian
Native
Speaks
English
French
Portuguese
Spanish
Other
Teaches
Russian
Native
Speaks
English
French
Portuguese
Spanish
Other
About Me
Me as a Teacher
My lessons & teaching style
Resume & Certificates
From Russian FederationLiving in Tbilisi, Georgia (14:05 UTC+04:00)
About Me
italki teacher since Nov 27, 2025InterestsMedical & HealthcareBusiness & FinanceScienceMusicTech
Привет! I'm Polina, and I'm here to make Russian fun, clear, and incredibly useful for you. 🪆🍯 🐻
I'm a native Russian speaker, a certified Cambridge teacher (CELTA), and a total language nerd – I also teach English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French! I've been in your shoes learning these languages myself and I know exactly what feels tricky for you. My life is a multilingual adventure! I've been a professional interpreter for high-level business deals, a tour guide leading trips on the Trans-Siberian Railway (yes, we had Russian lessons and honey tastings while watching Lake Baikal fly by!), and I've worked in all sorts of international companies. Your shortcut to my real-world Russian. 😉Me as a Teacher
Forget boring, one-size-fits-all lessons! My superpower is creating a space where you feel excited to learn and totally safe to make mistakes. My approach is shaped by the world-class CELTA method, which means our lessons are 100% about you and your goals. I'm your guide and your biggest cheerleader.
Over the years, I haven't just taught languages – being a polyglot, I've become a detective of language patterns and now can explain the hidden connections in a way that just clicks. I'm also fascinated by how our brains learn and use brain-friendly tricks like mnemonics and storytelling to make words stick. I tailor every lesson to you, whether you're 5 or 75, a beginner or pro. My lessons & teaching style
Imagine a lesson where you're so engaged you forget you're even studying. That's my goal every single time! We'll use a mix of cool tools, real-life materials, multimedia resources and a lot of conversation to bring the language to life. One day we might be dissecting a hilarious meme or a scene from a Russian movie, the next we're role-playing a situation like ordering in a restaurant or negotiating in a business meeting or even mastering the pronunciation of tricky sounds through song lyrics. I believe when you're having fun and feeling positive, your brain is a sponge. We'll laugh, we'll chat, and you'll be amazed at how much you remember. 🤩My teaching material
- Flashcards
- Quizzes
- Text Documents
- Articles and news
- Presentation slides/PPT
- PDF file
- Image files
- Video files
- Audio files
Teaching experience
2009 - Current
Professional Language Teacher & TutorOver 15 years of teaching Russian, English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French to a hugely diverse range of students! This includes playful lessons for young children, engaging classes for teenagers, exam prep (TORFL, IELTS, DELE), and professional language for adults in business, IT, and aviation and other specialized fields. I've built a reputation for making complex topics simple and fun.
Education
2024 - 2025
Bachelor’s - Teaching English to Speakers of Other LanguagesIntensive, practical teacher training from Cambridge. Learned modern, student-centered methods for creating engaging and effective language lessons. Teaching practice with detailed feedback from experienced Cambridge-approved trainers.
2020 - 2022
Bachelor’s - Tour Guiding and InterpretationLicensed tour guide certification. Learned to design and lead immersive cultural experiences, and how to present complex historical information in an engaging way for international audiences.
2011 - 2013
Master's - History and Western LanguagesGraduated with honors. Master's program in History & Western Languages, focused on comparative civilizational analysis and security issues studies. The curriculum provided a broad perspective on global history, including Western and Eastern civilizations. Defended my master's thesis, earning the status of Prize-Winner (3rd Degree) in the University-wide competition for the best master's thesis. Gained hands-on experience through a teaching practicum in History at secondary schools in Moscow.
2007 - 2011
Bachelor’s - History and Western LanguagesGraduate of the Year
Awarded the title "Best Graduate of the Bachelor's Program 2011" from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in History and Western Languages.
Received 1st Degree Diploma for the best graduation thesis among faculty graduates.
Thesis: "The Transfer of the Portuguese Court to Brazil and Its Impact on Colonial Development (1808-1822)" - research on a pivotal period of Brazilian state formation within the Portuguese colonial empire.
Work Experience
2009 - Current
Senior Interpreter & TranslatorProviding high-level interpretation and translation for international business, diplomacy, and specialized industries (aviation, pharmaceuticals, IT, agriculture). This hands-on work keeps my language skills sharp and up-to-date with the latest terminology across many fields, which I directly bring to my teaching.
2012 - 2014
International Project & Procurement ManagerHeld key roles managing international projects, from buying a pharmaceutical factory in Spain to sourcing gourmet food from around the world for a top restaurant chain. This experience means I don't just teach business Russian – I've actually used it in real, high-stakes situations and can give you the practical language you need to succeed.
2015 - Current
Licensed Tour Guide & Cultural ManagerDesigned and led immersive cultural tours and expeditions, including leading groups on the Trans-Siberian Railway. This is where I honed my skills for making culture and language come alive in a fun and unforgettable way for people from all over the world.
Russian Lessons
Russian for Absolute Beginners: From Zero to Russian Hero! 🪆
A1Language Essentials0 lessons completed
USD 15.00+
Availability
Based on your timezone (UTC+00:00)
Lessons
Hourly rate from
USD 25.00+Your final payment will be made in USD