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! 🙏

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.

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.

This was my first lesson in Ukrainian in a year. It was absolutely incredible. Maria is always prepared, always professional, always cheerful, and always ensures that I leave each lesson more knowledgeable than when the lesson began. Her approach to teaching is second to none. I would highly recommend her to anyone whose goal is language proficiency.

Today’s lesson with Maria featured games. What a marvelous way to learn and develop one’s language acumen! 😀 A one-hour lesson is definitely the way to go! Up until now, my life circumstances have only allowed for 30-minute lessons, which were of course extremely useful, but I am already embracing the difference and value of having longer sessions. Вперед! 🌅📚

Maria’s presence and lessons will always bring a keen awareness to the rich culture, history, art, and music of Ukraine. She has such a unique way of introducing these elements through her astuteness, her own ever-expanding interests, her innate curiosity, and her ability to use anecdotes to share and convey all above. Each lesson reaffirms the vital, inextricable link between the language and its connections and origins. 🇺🇦