About Inna
Hi! My name is Inna. I am a highly qualified and experienced teacher of Russian as a Foreign Language and English, with many years of teaching experience in both Russia and the UK. My academic background includes a PhD in Linguistics from Moscow State Linguistic University, the Maurice Thorez Institute of Foreign Languages, and additional studies at Lomonosov Moscow State University, where I specialized in teaching Russian to bilingual children and beginners. I also hold a Master’s degree from the University of Salford, UK.
In Moscow, I worked as an Associate Professor at the Higher School of Economics, teaching General and Business English, and collaborated with major international companies. Now living in the UK, I focus on teaching bilingual and multilingual children, particularly preparing students for GCSE Russian. I have experience as an examiner for the Speaking component of the GCSE Russian exam, as well as a mock examiner for all papers. Continuous professional training with Pearson helps me keep lessons aligned with current exam standards, and nearly all my former GCSE students have achieved the highest grade, 9.
In addition, I teach Russian language and literature at a Russian school, working with children of various ages and levels. Being a mother of a bilingual child, I deeply understand the challenges bilingual families face. My lessons are friendly, supportive, and interactive, combining traditional and modern methods with carefully tailored materials. Music is another passion of mine. I play piano and participate in musical festivals, which inspires creativity and energy in my teaching.
In conversation with Inna
What inspired you to become a teacher of Russian and English?
Languages have shaped my whole career. I am a highly qualified and experienced teacher of Russian as a Foreign Language and English, with many years of teaching experience in both Russia and the United Kingdom. My academic background includes a PhD in Linguistics from Moscow State Linguistic University, the Maurice Thorez Institute of Foreign Languages, along with additional studies at Lomonosov Moscow State University, where I specialised in teaching Russian to bilingual children and beginners. I also hold a Master's degree from the University of Salford in the United Kingdom.
What teaching experience do you have?
In Moscow, I worked as an Associate Professor at the Higher School of Economics, teaching General and Business English and collaborating with major international companies. Now living in the United Kingdom, I focus on teaching bilingual and multilingual children, particularly preparing students for GCSE Russian. I also teach Russian language and literature at a Russian school, working with children of various ages and levels.
How does your examiner experience help your students?
I have experience as an examiner for the Speaking component of the GCSE Russian exam, as well as working as a mock examiner for all papers. I also take part in continuous professional training with Pearson, which helps me keep my lessons aligned with current exam standards. This close involvement with the exam itself means I know precisely what is expected, and nearly all my former GCSE students have achieved the highest grade, grade 9.
How does being the mother of a bilingual child influence your teaching?
Being a mother of a bilingual child, I deeply understand the challenges bilingual families face, from balancing two languages at home to building genuine confidence in the weaker language. This personal experience shapes how I support my students and their families, and it helps me approach each child with real empathy and patience.
How would you describe your teaching style?
My lessons are friendly, supportive and interactive, combining traditional and modern methods with carefully tailored materials. I adapt my approach to each student, whether they are a beginner, a bilingual child growing up with Russian at home, or a GCSE student preparing for their exam.
What do you enjoy doing outside teaching?
Music is another passion of mine. I play the piano and take part in musical festivals, which inspires creativity and energy in my teaching. I find that this love of music brings a certain rhythm and warmth into my lessons as well.
What do you hope students gain from working with you?
I hope students gain real confidence in Russian, whether they are working towards their GCSE or simply building their family's bilingual heritage. Strong exam results matter, and I am proud that nearly all my former GCSE students have achieved a grade 9, but I would also like students to feel a genuine connection to the Russian language and culture.