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 was absolutely fantastic! From the very first lesson, she made learning Ukrainian feel approachable and enjoyable. She is incredibly friendly, patient, and has a great sense of humor, which made the session not just educational but genuinely FUN. Her teaching style is engaging, structured yet flexible, and she adapts seamlessly to my learning pace. I appreciated how easy she was to connect with – she creates a comfortable environment that encourages confidence in speaking. Even after just one lesson, I already feel motivated and excited for the next one. If you're looking for a tutor who is knowledgeable, supportive, and makes language learning a pleasure, Maria is an excellent choice!

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.

What a truly amazing feeling it is to experience and notice yourself improving steadily and succeeding at learning and using a language! Lessons with Maria give one this experience in a very unique and palpable way! With her steadfast encouragement and commitment to your learning process, along with your own, I can honestly say you will receive the gift of these small and big recognitions and celebrations all along the way! I am so grateful for these opportunities to study and learn with Maria! 🎉

Maria is an outstanding Russian teacher! From day one, she made learning Russian feel engaging and enjoyable. Her explanations are clear, and she has a great ability to simplify complex concepts. Maria is patient, supportive, and always willing to help me improve, whether it’s with grammar, pronunciation, or conversation practice. Thanks to her immersive approach and personalized lessons, my Russian skills have improved significantly, and I feel much more confident in speaking. She also adds cultural insights, making the lessons even more enriching. I highly recommend Maria to anyone looking to learn Russian – she’s a fantastic teacher!