A careful, thorough and systematic approach to language — since 2008.
18 years
Over 18 years in operation, we have built a working system of learning that we are constantly refining.
Our story
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.
Our philosophy
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.
Our team
Directors
Volodymyr Barabash
Director, co-founder of the school
Head of Natural Sciences Dept.
20 years of mentoring
25years of teaching experience
Education
H. S. Skovoroda Kharkiv National Pedagogical University (2010), chemistry teacher, specialist degree
A chemist and teacher by education, a romantic by nature: a karateka, ecologist, photographer, lyrical poet, guitarist and expert on the work of Vysotsky.
“Why languages? We live, to a large extent, for the sake of communication!”
Olha Oliinyk
Co-founder of the school, teacher
TESOL — Arizona State University
CELTA
TEA winner (2007)
Speaker at TESOL and IATEFL conferences
90+ publications
31years of teaching experience
Focus areas
general English
academic English
IELTS preparation
Education
Candidate of Sciences in social communications
Specialist in English philology
V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University (1996) — specialist in English philology
She values good coffee and loves swimming in the pool.
“He simply did not know that it was impossible.”
Oleksandra Kazarovitska
Co-founder, Director of Studies
IATEFL Poland Conferences presenter
TESOL International Convention presenter (Baltimore, USA)
CELTA
21years of teaching experience
Focus areas
teaching methodology
book club
general English
IELTS preparation
business English
Education
V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University (2004) — MA in English Language and Literature
Keen on travel, freediving, music and learning foreign languages.
“Foreign languages are windows into the boundless world around us.”
Teachers
Mariia Vorobiova
Diploma with honours
Philologist and teacher
TESOL-Ukraine
9years of teaching experience
Focus areas
general English
translation
French
Education
V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University — MA in English and French Philology and Translation Studies
National Geographic Learning and Cambridge English seminars
Certificates
Certificate “Basics of ELT”
Certificate “Teaching Low Levels” — workshop by Hugh Dellar
Enjoys meditation, travel, reading and amateur photography.
“Knowing one language lets you into the corridor of life; knowing two opens every door along that corridor.”
Ihor Hashenko
“Teaching Lexically” (Hugh Dellar, 2025)
10years of teaching experience
Focus areas
general English
technical and academic English
military studies
Education
Master of Philology — Germanic Languages and Literatures (including translation), primary language English
O. M. Beketov National University of Urban Economy in Kharkiv
Professional school of foreign languages
Keen on playing musical instruments and internet technologies.
“The road is mastered by the one who walks it.”
Yuliia Mizik
Cambridge BEC
10years of teaching experience
Focus areas
business English
finance and audit
Education
Candidate of Economic Sciences
Associate Professor
O. M. Beketov National University of Urban Economy in Kharkiv
ICFM DipMADM, DipPIA (Great Britain, 2024)
Loves travel, music, learning and self-development.
“Words are bricks. You can build anything from them; the main thing is knowing how to put them together.”
Inha Strikauskas
Philologist and teacher
Translator
41years of teaching experience
Focus areas
general English
teaching methodology
English teacher training
Education
V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University (1986) — philologist, teacher of English language and literature
Universidad de Pura (Lima, Peru) — teaching methodology
University of Manchester — exchange programme (1984–1985)
“As many languages as you know, that many times you are a person.”
Valeriia Kizim
OSCE mission translator
German — C1
7years of teaching experience
Focus areas
general English
translation
Education
V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University — MA in English Philology
Loves classic literature, board games and travel.
“People, be beautiful to one another!”
Oksana Shabaltas
Phonetics teacher
30years of teaching experience in international business (the UK, Hong Kong, Europe)
Focus areas
English phonetics
pronunciation coaching
grammar
business English
Education
Open University of Great Britain — MBA (2007)
Karazin Kharkiv National University (1996) — teacher and translator
In learning she values discipline and a structured approach. Loves animals, strong coffee, green tea and quiet.
“Everything is not what it seems; nor is it otherwise.”
Ivan Tsanko
University lecturer
4years of teaching experience
Focus areas
general English
Education
Master’s — Uzhhorod National University, Faculty of Foreign Philology (2024)
Bachelor’s — Uzhhorod National University, Faculty of Foreign Philology (2023)
Loves literature, detective series and walks in the fresh air.
“The only source of knowledge is experience.”
Support team
Tetiana Petrova
Administrator
A caring administrator with a technical education and a creative soul. She loves travel, British films, Pilates and finds answers in poetry.
“Give a person a small piece of yourself. For this, the soul fills with light.”
Nataliia Kozachko
Administrator of the children’s department
She has specialized education as a teacher, the kind heart of a loving mother and grandmother, and a love of classic literature.
“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”
