Instructors

Teacher of Russian

Anna Asadov-Ossowska

Anna Asadov-Ossowska is a native speaker of Russian and Polish with over a decade of experience teaching Russian language and culture at all proficiency levels. Currently, she teaches at San Diego State University’s Language Acquisition Resource Center (LARC).

Additionally, Anna holds an M.A. in International Relations with emphasis in Russian from Wroclaw University of Economics and Business. Furthermore, she earned a dual B.A. in International Business and Russian Language from SDSU.

Throughout her career, Anna has taught in federally funded programs including STARTALK and Project Global Officer (Project GO). Having designed curriculum and led immersive instruction for high school and college students, her teaching is grounded in a communicative, proficiency-based approach.

As a result, several of her students have passed the OPI exam at the Advanced level and received prestigious scholarships to study abroad. Moreover, Anna has completed the Middlebury STARTALK Institute for Teachers of Russian.

In addition to her teaching credentials, Anna is a fellow of the AATSEEL K–12 Teacher Excellence Program. Among her certifications are credentials from Stanford STARTALK, the AATSEEL Certificate Program in Inclusive Pedagogies, the California World Language Project (CWLP), and the Flagship Teachers Training Workshop at Indiana University.

Anna integrates creativity and culture into her classroom. Drawing from her interests in film, history, and cuisine, she creates immersive and engaging experiences for her students.

Teacher of Portuguese

Claudia Lyra, MA.

Claudia is a certified Portuguese and English language instructor with 20 years of teaching experience. With a master’s degree in dual language education from SDSU (2017), she also holds certification through the prestigious Startalk Teacher Training program.

Her teaching methodology adheres to ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) standards. As a result, this ensures students achieve measurable proficiency outcomes. Meanwhile, Claudia enriches her language instruction with authentic cultural elements.

Having developed expertise in Capoeira, traditional Brazilian dance, and music, Claudia consequently provides students with immersive language learning experiences that connect language acquisition with cultural fluency.

Teacher of Portuguese

Caio Moraes Rego

Caio holds a master’s degree in Conference Interpretation and a bachelor’s degree in Translation Studies from the prestigious University of Lisbon, Portugal. As a Cambridge CELTA-certified language instructor, he brings expert credentials to his language teaching methodology.

Moreover, his pedagogical approach emphasizes comprehensive language acquisition through structured grammar instruction. Specifically, he focuses on strategic vocabulary development and authentic cultural context.

Ultimately, Caio’s passion for language mechanics enables him to break down complex linguistic concepts into accessible learning modules. Therefore, this makes him an ideal instructor for students seeking mastery in both conversational fluency and technical language proficiency.

Teacher of Portuguese

Mariana Marques

Mariana is an experienced English language instructor with a proven track record teaching all proficiency levels since 2013. Moreover, she holds a TOEFL IBT C1 certification from the prestigious Atlantic Language School in Ireland (2014), which demonstrates advanced English mastery.

As a bilingual educator fluent in Spanish and English, she brings valuable cross-linguistic insights to her teaching methodology. Furthermore, Mariana’s approach integrates cultural immersion with language acquisition. Consequently, she emphasizes authentic learning experiences that develop both conversational fluency and academic proficiency.

Additionally, her student-centered teaching philosophy promotes language learning as a continuous developmental journey. Therefore, this makes her particularly effective with learners seeking practical communication skills and cultural competence.

Teacher of Portuguese

Daniele Cima

Daniele is a certified Portuguese language instructor with academic credentials including bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Social Work from the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Additionally, her professional background includes distinguished service with United Nations programs in both Brazil and the United States.

Furthermore, Daniele’s teaching methodology emphasizes cultural immersion alongside linguistic proficiency. Specifically, she creates authentic Brazilian Portuguese learning experiences. Moreover, she specializes in incorporating cultural diversity discussions, Brazilian customs, and contemporary Brazilian society into her language curriculum.

Consequently, this makes her courses particularly valuable for students seeking both language skills and cultural competency for professional, academic, or travel purposes.

Teacher of Portuguese

Maria Luiza Dantas, M.A., PhD.

Maria Luiza (Malu) is a certified Portuguese language instructor with specialized training from the prestigious Startalk program at San Diego State University’s Language Learning Resource Center. Since 2017, she has developed expertise teaching Brazilian Portuguese in diverse educational settings.

Previously, she taught in private language academies and public refugee integration programs in Brazil. Currently, Malu implements a research-based communicative approach to language acquisition. Specifically, she focuses on contextual grammar development through authentic conversational scenarios.

Ultimately, her methodology emphasizes practical language skills that prepare students for real-world communication. Therefore, this makes her courses ideal for learners seeking functional Portuguese proficiency for business, travel, or cultural purposes.

Teacher of Portuguese
Head of Portuguese Studies

Thiago A. Arellano, MA

With over a decade of experience in language education, Thiago brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for teaching. He earned his Bachelor of Literature in Portuguese from the prestigious University of São Paulo (USP) in 2013. He followed this with a Master of Arts from San Diego State University (SDSU) in 2017.

Additionally, he has studied ACTFL methodologies. This equipped him with advanced strategies for language acquisition. Thiago has taught at Language Door and Southwestern College. He helped students of all backgrounds achieve fluency.

He is fluent in French, has a strong foundation in Italian, and teaches Spanish. This makes him a versatile language educator with a global perspective. Whether you’re looking to master Portuguese, improve your Spanish, or explore new languages, Thiago provides expert guidance tailored to your learning needs.

Teacher of Ukrainian
Head of Ukrainian Department

Olena Yurchenko

With over 15 years of teaching experience, Olena is a dedicated Ukrainian and English instructor. Consequently, she helps students achieve fluency with proven learning strategies. Moreover, she holds a degree in Ukrainian and English teaching from Kharkiv National Pedagogical University, named after G.S. Skovoroda.

Since 2009, Olena has guided students through C1 and C2 level exams. As a result, she ensures top performance and confidence in their language skills. Furthermore, she specializes in mnemonic techniques, which makes language acquisition efficient and engaging.

Therefore, whether you’re aiming for academic success, professional development, or conversational fluency, Olena provides personalized instruction tailored to your learning style.

Teacher of Ukrainian
Head of Ukrainian Department

Karina Smyrnova

Karina is a dedicated educator in economic theory and languages. Indeed, she brings extensive expertise to her students. Currently, she teaches economic theory and English at Kharkiv National Pedagogical University. Additionally, she serves as an English and Ukrainian teacher at a secondary school in Kharkiv since 2009.

Known for her effective and engaging teaching techniques, Karina simplifies complex economic concepts. Furthermore, she makes language learning accessible and immersive. Consequently, her approach ensures students build strong foundations in both subjects while gaining confidence and academic success.

Therefore, whether you’re interested in mastering economics or language fluency, Karina provides tailored instruction designed to support your learning goals.

Teacher of Russian
Teacher of German

Daria Khandrikova

With over a decade of professional language teaching experience, Daria is a highly skilled Russian language instructor with a strong background in linguistics and multilingual education. She holds specialized degrees from Russian State Pedagogical University and St. Petersburg University.

Daria is fluent in Russian and possesses advanced German proficiency (C1 level). Additionally, she has intermediate English skills (B1-B2 level). Her multilingual expertise allows her to provide personalized instruction tailored to students looking to master Russian or refine their German language abilities.

Whether you’re seeking fluency, academic success, or professional language skills, Daria offers effective, engaging, and structured lessons. She uses proven teaching methodologies designed to help you achieve your learning goals.

Teacher of Georgian
Head of Georgian Studies

Nana Jirashvili

With over a decade of teaching experience, Nana is a dedicated Georgian language instructor. She helps students of all levels master the language with ease. She graduated from the Faculty of Foreign Languages in Georgia. She has been teaching Georgian since 2010.

Nana has worked in private schools, the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia, and the Peace Corps. She equipped students with effective learning strategies. She specializes in simplifying grammar. This makes complex concepts easy to grasp for learners from A1 to C2 proficiency levels.

Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, Nana provides structured, personalized instruction. This is designed to help you achieve fluency and confidence in Georgian.

Teacher of Georgian

Tamta Tsabadze

Tamta is an experienced Russian and Georgian language instructor. She has a strong academic foundation in Russian Philology and Culture from the St. Petersburg Russian Christian Academy of Humanities. Since 2005, she has been teaching in private language schools.

With a deep passion for Russian and Georgian grammar, Tamta has a unique ability to simplify even the most complex language rules. She makes learning both clear and engaging. Her interactive approach ensures students build a strong linguistic foundation while enjoying the learning process.

Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, Tamta provides expert guidance tailored to your goals. She helps you navigate fluency in Russian and Georgian with ease.

Teacher of Georgian

Marika Tsitskishvili

Marika is an experienced Georgian language instructor. She has a strong academic foundation in English language and literature from the University of Tbilisi. She has been teaching Georgian since 2009. She works with students across all proficiency levels, from A1 to C2.

Beyond the classroom, Marika collaborates with various volunteer groups and educational projects. She uses her expertise to support learners in diverse settings. Her passion for language and creative teaching methods ensures that every student finds Georgian accessible, engaging, and easy to understand.

Whether you’re starting your Georgian language journey or aiming for advanced fluency, Marika provides structured, personalized instruction tailored to your goals.

Teacher of Russian

Anatoli Samochornov

With over 30 years of experience teaching Russian and English as foreign languages, Anatoli has helped learners of all backgrounds achieve fluency and confidence. His students range from high school learners reconnecting with their Russian heritage to business executives mastering languages for professional success.

Anatoli holds an MBA from the University of Washington. He also possesses in-depth expertise in linguistics and translation. This makes him uniquely qualified to provide structured, effective instruction tailored to individual needs.

Whether you’re looking to refine your business language skills, strengthen your heritage connection, or achieve advanced fluency, Anatoli delivers personalized, results-driven lessons designed to help you succeed.

Teacher of Russian

Irina Belyaeva

Irina is an experienced Russian language instructor with a strong academic background in Russian Philology and Culture from the St. Petersburg Russian Christian Academy of Humanities. Since 2005, she has been teaching in private language schools.

With a deep passion for Russian grammar, Irina has a unique ability to simplify even the most complex linguistic concepts. She makes learning clear, engaging, and accessible through her structured yet interactive approach.

Students develop a strong foundation while enjoying the learning process. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, Irina provides expert guidance tailored to your goals. She helps you navigate Russian fluency with ease.

Teacher of Georgian

Maria Semenova

Maria is a dedicated Russian language instructor who balances her medical studies at the University of Mechnikov in St. Petersburg with her passion for teaching. Though new to formal instruction, she demonstrates a remarkable talent for making complex language concepts accessible and engaging.

Her students appreciate her innovative approach to Russian grammar and pronunciation. Additionally, she integrates cultural contexts that bring the language to life. Maria’s natural teaching ability compensates for her limited classroom experience.

Passionate about both medicine and languages, Maria remains committed to education while pursuing her medical degree. She sees her dual interests as complementary paths in helping others.

Teacher of Russian
Co-Founder and Program Director

Natalia Abramova

Natalia is a seasoned language education specialist with extensive experience in curriculum development, teacher training, and instructional innovation. As the Education Director at Bistro Languages, Inc. since 2018, she has successfully designed and enhanced online programs for a diverse range of LOTE courses.

Under her leadership, the school achieved WASC accreditation, UC approvals, and recognition from multiple school districts. Since 2013, Natalia has also served as Program Director at San Diego Russian School. She founded and directed the Russian as a Second Language (RSL) department.

Previously, Natalia worked as Lead Language Instructor at Extra-Class Language Centre in St. Petersburg, Russia (2006–2013). She taught Russian and English as second languages while pioneering adaptive curriculum development and technology-integrated instruction.

With a deep passion for language education, Natalia continues to shape modern language learning. She helps students worldwide achieve fluency and confidence in their chosen languages.

Teacher of Russian

Victoria Semenova

Victoria is a seasoned Russian language instructor with over two decades of teaching experience. She specializes in advanced language courses and test preparation. Born in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), Russia, she graduated in 1996 from the Russian State Pedagogical University named after A.I. Herzen.

Since March 2020, Victoria has focused on teaching advanced Russian language learners. She helps students achieve fluency, academic excellence, and test success through structured and personalized instruction. Her expertise in linguistic development ensures students grasp even the most challenging concepts with clarity and confidence.

Beyond her professional dedication to language education, Victoria is passionate about music and psychology. She often integrates creative and cognitive strategies into her teaching approach. She particularly enjoys working with children, creating engaging, immersive lessons.

Whether you’re preparing for proficiency exams, advancing your Russian language skills, or looking for expert guidance, Victoria provides tailored instruction. She supports students at every stage of their learning journey.

Teacher of Georgian
Head of Russian Studies

Ekaterina Maksimova

Ekaterina, known as Katya, is a highly experienced Russian language instructor and Program Director. She brings over 25 years of expertise in teaching and curriculum development. She graduated from the Philological Faculty of St. Petersburg State Pedagogical University.

Since 1998, Katya has been teaching Russian in private language schools and consulates. As a content creator for various tests and programs, she designs highly effective instructional materials. Many of her students earn A+ grades and score 100% on proficiency exams at levels C1 and C2.

Katya’s passion for Russian grammar and word origins shines through in her teaching. She makes even the most complex concepts accessible and engaging. Her leadership in curriculum development, exam preparation, and innovative teaching methodologies continues to shape successful language learners.

Whether you’re preparing for advanced proficiency tests, aiming for academic excellence, or seeking structured language instruction, Katya provides expert guidance tailored to your learning needs.

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