Polina

Community Tutor

Teaches

Russian

Native

Speaks

English

French

Portuguese

Spanish

Other

Teaches

Russian

Native

Speaks

English

French

Portuguese

Spanish

Other

About Me

Resume & Certificates

From Russian FederationLiving in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (03:54 UTC-03:00)

About Me

italki teacher since Nov 27, 2025

InterestsMedical & 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. 😉 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. Imagine a lesson where you're so engaged you forget you're even studying. That's my goal every single time! We'l...

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 & TutorLanguage School / Self-EmployedOver 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 LanguagesInternational House BudapestIntensive, 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 InterpretationTour Guides Training CentreLicensed 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 LanguagesPeoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN)Graduated 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 LanguagesPeoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN)Graduate 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 & TranslatorAcron Group /Russian Helicopters / FreelanceProviding 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 ManagerLa Marée, Pharmula - Moscow, Russian FederationHeld 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 ManagerSelf-Employed / ToursByLocals / LernideeDesigned 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.