Originally from Volgograd (former  Stalingrad), I received my MA in Russian Linguistics from Moscow State University and my PhD in Teaching Russian as a Foreign Language from Pushkin Institute of Russian Language. For more than twenty years I have been teaching a broad range of courses in Russian as a Foreign Language at Volgograd State Technical University, including Russian for special purposes, stylistics, conversation, grammar, and media language.  

Since 1995, when my family moved to the UK, I was an Assistant Professor at Liverpool John Moores University. In addition to teaching courses in grammar, conversation, translation, interpreting, I was Russian program coordinator. Later, I taught an intensive course in oral presentation for finalists at Oxford University. I also taught at several Summer Language Schools and intensive courses in Russia and Austria.

My research interests are focused on criteria of selection of text materials, cross-cultural communication problems, and second/foreign language acquisition.

At the moment I teach first and second year Russian, and Analytical Reading to advanced level and heritage students at University of South Florida. I am a mentor of Russian Club at USF and I dedicate a lot of energy to my students who are so curious and enthusiastic about Russian culture.

I enjoy spending time with my children and try to infuse their interest in our Russian heritage. I also like gardening, watching historical and popular science documentaries and hill walking.

 Last update: 2006 02 03