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.

Very comfortable lessons with interesting discussions, and in the process, mistakes are explained and vocabulary is expanded.

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 is very patient, speaks slowly, and is very calm and gentle. She keeps notes that are very helpful for homework review, and gives word breakdowns that are very helpful for memorization. I enjoy my daily lessons with Maria very much!

This last lesson with Maria was entirely conversational and I really was able to appreciate both the areas where I need to focus more and grow, as well as the areas in which I have already grown. Maria is such a good learning guide! 🥾🥾🎒🧗🏻She is encouraging, but will also make necessary corrections and adjustments along the way. 🧭 What a joy this learning journey with her continues to be!! Thank you, Maria!! I am watching my dream of learning this incredibly beautiful language come into being each and every lesson!! 🌱🌿🌳🌱🌿🌳🌱🌿🌳