Maria Makarchenko

I am a new student to Ukrainian and to italki. From the very first «Привіт!», with her beaming smile, Maria had me hooked! Марія teaches and listens with enthusiasm, patience, and a lot of understanding. Her lessons and conversations are diverse, interesting, engaging, and we always smile and laugh along the way! 😄 With my extremely demanding schedule, our learning sessions have become a veritable oasis! We just completed another session and I already can’t wait for our next lesson (I feel that way after each lesson)! Щиро дякую, Маріє! Я так багато вивчаю кожен урок! Ти чудова вчителька! Дуже дуже дякую! 🙏

I have had Maria as a teacher for at least six lessons and she is excellent. She quickly assessed my level of skill in Russian, where I was strongest and what needed work on. Then she set up me up with the opportunity to do assignments (if I wished). Maria is also a great conversationalist and to my surprise had an incredibly detailed knowledge of my humble little state of South Dakota. The hour I spend with her each week just flies by. She motivates me to be better and I feel myself improving as a student -- at least my confidence is! : ) I was not a great language student back in school, but this is fun. It doesn’t feel like work at all. Notice how busy her schedule is. There is a reason: she’s good.

Great first lesson with Maria! She was very easy to talk to, and even though I know she has lots of students, she seemed very excited to help me achieve my goals. Can’t wait for the next lesson.

One of the best decisions I made this year was taking Ukrainian lessons with Maria. While I have little talent for learning languages, she has tons and gladly passes her experience and enthusiasm on to her students. In a relaxed and friendly environment, you will learn and practice your language skills, learn about Ukrainian culture, and be inspired to keep going. The hour will go by far too quickly, and you will be noticeably better by its end.

Maria always brings something new to each lesson. I learned many new words in this last lesson. It had been a while since I had had a lesson, so I didn’t have the usual confidence at first to speak. However, once the lesson started, Maria’s familiar presence instantly produced in me my language memory. I barreled through in my conversation, making mistakes, correcting them, but not getting too hung up on the whole process itself. I surprised myself even by using some of the words I didn’t even really know I knew! It was, once again, such a valuable use of time and attention to learn with Maria! I recommend! ✨🌱🪴✨

I love making mistakes! Maria provides so much encouragement and a truly safe space in which to make mistakes and to learn from them! My confidence in speaking Ukrainian is ever-growing as I become less concerned about finding the exact perfect words to say and to just go for it! It’s helped my comprehension as well! Maria is a true jewel of a teacher and the kind of person you will instantly feel supported by! ✨📚✨✏️✨