18 years
Over 18 years in operation, we have built a working system of learning that we are constantly refining.
The idea for the Professional school was born in 2008 among the teachers of the foreign-languages department at the Professional lyceum, the first private educational institution in the city of Kharkiv.
We champion a meticulous, thorough and systematic approach to language.
Over 18 years in operation, we have built a working system of learning that we are constantly refining.
We are not a mainstream school. We have a lot of old-school methods — things that many people nowadays consider unfashionable and unpopular. Yes, in our grammar lessons we even use translation! But we believe in skilfully combining traditional, conservative methods with modern advances.
We tell it like it is: learning a language is a long and painstaking process. That is why we constantly reinforce the material covered — almost every lesson includes some kind of mini-test, not to mention the major assessment at the end of a module. We also have compulsory homework (rather substantial, it must be said). As a result, we see solid knowledge and well-practised skills that last for a long time. Many students return after a break and say in amazement that they remember everything.
And we also believe in education in general. We see language lessons not only as a way to meet functional needs, but also as a means of developing the person as a whole.
Director, co-founder of the school
A chemist and teacher by education, a romantic by nature. A karateka (Kyokushin — full contact, 4th place in Ukraine in 1994) and an ecologist (the All-Ukrainian Ecological League). A tireless mentor of children on hiking trips. A passionate photographer, a lyrical poet, a fierce guitarist, and a phenomenal expert on the work of Vladimir Vysotsky.
“Why languages? We live, to a large extent, for the sake of communication!”
Co-founder of the school, teacher
Teaching experience: 31 years
A teacher of English at the "Professional" lyceum and at the Kharkiv State Academy of Culture. Candidate of Sciences (social communications). An interpreter for the OSCE mission in Ukraine in 2004. National winner of the TEA Teaching Excellence Program in 2007. Author of more than 30 publications and a steadfast participant in TESOL and IATEFL conferences in Ukraine and the USA. She values good coffee and loves swimming in the pool.
“He simply did not know that it was impossible.”
Co-founder, Director of Studies
Teaching experience: 21 years
A graduate of the Faculty of Foreign Languages of V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University (2004). Holds the international CELTA certificate. A participant in TESOL and IATEFL conferences for teachers. Our Director of Studies. Her main hobbies are travel, freediving, music, and learning foreign languages.
“Foreign languages are windows into the boundless world around us.”
Teaching experience: 8 years
Graduated from V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, earning a Master’s degree and a diploma with honours. Major in Philology (English and French, including translation). Throughout her professional development she has attended educational seminars, webinars and conferences by National Geographic Learning, Cambridge English (via the Linguist company) and the Academy of Digital Development. Hobbies: meditation, travel, reading, shopping and amateur photography.
“Knowing one language lets you into the corridor of life; knowing two opens every door along that corridor.”
Teaching experience: 10 years
A graduate of O. M. Beketov National University of Urban Economy in Kharkiv and of the Professional school of foreign languages. He has experience working with both general and highly specialized materials in English (technical and academic articles, military studies). Hobbies: playing musical instruments and gaining new knowledge in the field of internet technologies.
“The road is mastered by the one who walks it.”
Teaching experience: 20 years
A graduate of O. M. Beketov National University of Urban Economy, associate professor and Candidate of Economic Sciences. Holds international diplomas and certificates: Cambridge English Qualifications Business (BEC, 2015), ICFM DipMADM (Management Accounting and Decision Making, GB, 2024), ICFM DipPIA (The Professional Internal Auditor, GB, 2024). 20 years of experience, of which 10 years teaching English. Hobbies: travel, music, learning and self-development.
“As many languages as you know, that many times you are a person.”
Teaching experience: 41 years
A graduate of the Faculty of Foreign Languages at V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University (1986), qualified as a Philologist and Teacher of English Language and Literature, and a translator. Postgraduate education at the University of de Pura (Lima, Peru): teaching methodology. University of Manchester — an exchange programme in 1984–1985.
“As many languages as you know, that many times you are a person.”
Teaching experience: 7 years
A graduate of the Faculty of Foreign Languages at V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University. A volunteer at the Dytiatko international children’s film festival in 2018. A translator with the OSCE mission in Ukraine in 2019. In addition to English, she speaks German at the C1 level. Hobbies: classic literature, board games and travel. She believes that through travel we get to know ourselves and the world, and that language is the tool that helps us do it.
“People, be beautiful to one another!”
Administrator
Our caring administrator. She has a technical education and a creative soul. A mother of two wonderful daughters, a French bulldog and a British cat. She loves travel, hiking and lively conversation by the campfire. She adores British films and French wine. She is also keen on Pilates. And she always finds answers to difficult questions in poetry.
“Give a person a small piece of yourself. For this, the soul fills with light.”
Administrator of the children’s department
Her specialized education as a teacher helps her make well-considered decisions. The kind heart of a loving mother and devoted grandmother always suggests the right approach to the youngest students on our courses. She treats pet dogs and cats with great tenderness, and her love of classic literature helped shape a whole and well-rounded personality.
“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”
We teach everyone who has serious motivation to learn a foreign language, and everyone who ties their personal success to mastering a foreign language. Among our students are many university students, young professionals (particularly in IT), executives and business owners, those building a life abroad or preparing for exams.