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.

Lessons with Maria continue to be the highlight of my every week—a bright sparkling gem just waiting for me each week to hold up to the light and marvel at all of the reflections and facets!✨ 💎✨ This language and the privilege I feel to be learning it at all, especially with Maria, brings so much more texture, value, and enrichment to each and every day! Maria knows how to artfully spin this gem in such a way that there are constant surprises as to what will be reflected! Maria herself is a rare teaching gem! ✨💎✨Дуже-ДУЖЕ дякую! 🙏

Ive been having russian lessons with Maria for a year and a half now. She is an excellent teacher who always seems to be in a good mood and makes the lessons really enjoyable. I feel I’ve improved hugely since starting lessons with her. If you’re looking for a teacher you wont find any better.

Love my classes, I struggle (as anyone learning a new language) but, there is always the 💡 moment that Maria is able to bring out, by pointing out how words can be associated with others sometimes in a completely different language, amazing creativity..