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.

Maria is just EXCELLENT! She is an excellent teacher, listener, and always is coming up with innovative ways to engage with her students in the sessions and to stimulate their knowledge! With the quality of attention she provides in her sessions, it is also quite apparent she genuinely cares about her students and their progress. Sometimes I really struggle for my own reasons during our sessions, but after time with Maria, I always emerge craving more and more knowledge and more and more practice! If anything, I am MORE enthusiastic and encouraged! Excellent!!! ✨✨✨✨✨

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.

Classes with Maria are multi-functional; she teaches English and transmits peace and calm to us.

Maria is a very very kind and patient teacher. I really appreciate that she lets me work thru words and allows more time for me to speak before she lets me know I pronounce correctly or corrects me. I highly recommend her. She is the most kind, patient, and understanding teacher I’ve found and I’ve had lessons with on multiple platforms. Thank you Maria :)