Graduated from Moscow State University, certified teacher of Russian as Foreign Language, native speaker. Teach everyone from beginners to advanced. A-level, GCSE, TORFL (TRKI). Fully DBS checked

Find out more about Nailia

• Do you speak this language fluently because of your origins or because a teacher inspired you to learn?

  I speak Russian fluently because it’s my native language. Growing up immersed in it gave me a natural understanding of its nuances, expressions, and Russian culture in general, which later inspired me to help others learn it.

• Can you name a living, historical or fictional character that you think is the emblematic representative of the language's culture?

  I would choose Alla Pugacheva, the most iconic singer of both the Soviet era and modern Russia. Her music captures the essence, emotion, and depth of Russian culture perfectly, blending its humor, soulfulness, and sincerity.

• Is there a typical word, phrase, tradition or behavior in the language that you particularly like?

  I love the word «солнышко» because it expresses warmth, kindness, and affection — like the gentle sun that shines for everyone. There’s no exact equivalent in English; sunshine is the closest, but it doesn’t quite capture the same tenderness and emotional nuance.

• Why does speaking this language matter to you?

  Speaking Russian matters to me because it connects me to my heritage, my family, and my identity. It also allows me to share my culture with others and open doors for meaningful communication and learning.

• What is the main difficulty in learning this language and what can help the process of learning?

  Difficulties are always part of learning a new language and often depend on your native language. However, like with any skill, regular practice and a structured approach with a tutor can help you overcome these challenges.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to your language learning or your days at school.

  I’m a language learner myself and constantly work on improving my English. When I moved to the UK, I realised much of the English I’d studied was full of phrases no one actually used! Since then, I’ve made it my goal to teach real, modern Russian — the way people actually speak, not just what’s in textbooks.

• How has travel or a specific trip helped you to increase your skill and knowledge of the language?

  I was born in Russia, and as a child I took my ability to speak Russian for granted. But when I started travelling — first around Russia and then abroad — I realised that people use the same language in very different ways, and that we learn languages to connect with others whose lives and experiences are different from our own. It really broadened my mind and helped me understand why learning languages is so important.

• What makes you a Superprof in language?

  I believe what makes me stand out from many native speakers is that I’m professionally and academically trained in both linguistics and teaching foreign languages. As the saying goes, you don’t need to be a great footballer to coach others — but you do need to know how to guide and motivate people so they can truly learn. That’s exactly what I consider my strongest point as a teacher.