Meet some of our teachers…
Nick Morris
Position: General Manager
Years at LSE: 16
Hometown: Norwich, UK
Qualifications: Cambridge CELTA/DELTA | BA in Sociology
What do you enjoy most about teaching?
What I most enjoy about teaching in Ukraine is the variety. At LSE we have students from three years old, young learners, teenagers and adults. We have so many different courses on offer that the teaching is interesting - General English, Cambridge Exams, IELTS, Independent Testing and Business Courses!! It’s all so interesting.
Sarah Barnes
Position: Academic Manager
Years at LSE: 2
Hometown: Ludgershall, UK
Qualifications: Cambridge CELTA | DELTA | BSc in Chemistry
What made you want to become an English teacher?
What I enjoy most about teaching is being able to help students achieve their goals, whether it’s getting a certain grade in an exam, being able to get a better job, or just getting a sense of achievement from being able to communicate successfully in another language. Having worked in several countries in Europe and Asia, I can appreciate how motivated Ukrainian students are. It makes teaching here at LSE a really rewarding experience.
Helen Shchur
Position: Academic Director
Years at LSE: 8
Hometown: Vinnitsa, Ukraine
Qualifications: MA in English and German / DELTA / CELTA / TBEC / CELTA trainer and Cambridge examiner
What is the best piece of advice you can give your students?
I think learning English is similar to riding a bike. It doesn’t matter how old you are – you can always find a bike which suits you best: a three-wheeled pink ‘Zayka’ or a professional mountain bike. As soon as you start the journey, do your best. It will be difficult at some points and you’ll feel like giving it up, but my advice is never stop riding. If you do, you’re likely to fall down and fail. So, enjoy your journey around the world of English!
Nate Everett
Position: Projects Manager
Years at LSE: 5
Hometown: Boston, USA
Qualifications: BA in Philosophy | MA in International Education | Cambridge CELTA
What made you decide to teach in Ukraine?
I originally began teaching English seven years ago simply because I wanted to spend some time abroad. Since that time, however, I’ve come to see language learning and language teaching as fascinating and rewarding tasks, and the latter carries a great deal of responsibility. Of course, I would encourage teachers who come to Ukraine to spend some time learning Russian as well!
Lena Mikhoduy
Position: Teacher
Years at LSE: 2
Hometown: Starokostiantyniv, Ukraine
Qualifications: Cambridge ICELT | BA in Linguistics
What made you want to become an English teacher?
‘Find out what it is about teaching that gives you a buzz and focus on that. If nothing about teaching gives you a buzz – get another job.’ - Those were the words of my university teacher which I remember through all these years. Because every single day I spend in class with my students does give me a buzz. Students’ eyes and all those ‘whys’ or ‘why nots’. Students’ feedback shows that they have appreciated or enjoyed what I have done. It does not let you lose your inspiration and creativeness. Sometimes I wonder if students are given to us (teachers) to teach or to learn from? Both I believe.
Nadya Nikitenko
Position: Teacher
Years at LSE: 4
Hometown: Kyiv, Ukraine
Qualifications: Cambridge CELTA | MA in Linguistics
What is the best piece of advice you can give your students?
My love of English made me become an English teacher. For those who want to improve their English I would recommend reading as much in English as you can, speaking with people in English as much as possible, putting your social life on hold for the duration of your studies, using as many supplemental materials as you can (movies, songs, newspapers, magazines, etc.), and following a consistent study schedule - I suggest two hours everyday. Remember - you must really want to learn it, otherwise you won’t achieve your aim. Good luck!
Victoria Voronko
Position: Teacher
Years at LSE: 3
Hometown: Kiev, Ukraine
Qualifications: Cambridge CELTA | CPE | MA in History of International Relations & Law | MA in Applied Linguistics
What do you enjoy most about teaching?
It’s such a great thing to let others know what they didn’t know before. I’d say that the students are definitely the most worthwhile aspect of teaching. Nothing beats the feeling of knowing you have made a positive difference in their life. When a student asks you a question that tells you he is listening and wants to know more, or doesn’t quite understand so please try again… when their faces light up with that ‘Ah hah!’ glow that tells you have turned on the light for them. There isn’t any feeling that compares with those moments.
Charlie Ibbett
Position: Teacher
Years at LSE: just started in September 2012
Hometown: Edinburgh, UK
Qualifications: Cambridge CELTA | BA (Hons) in Modern and Medieval Languages
What made you want to become an English teacher?
I’ve always enjoyed learning foreign languages, so I thought it’d be great to help others do the same. You also meet a lot of interesting people working as a teacher.
Vika Sherbakova
Position: Teacher
Years at LSE: 5 years
Hometown: Kiev, Ukraine
Qualifications: Cambridge CELTA | CELTYL | BA in English and Literature
What is the best piece of advice you can give your students?
The best way to learn English is to surround yourself with it. Read books in English, watch films, TV, listen to radio broadcasts, audio books, take notes in English, stick notes with useful words and phrases on the mirrors or walls. Think in English! Use any possibility to speak English to your friends, on the phone, in the street. Listen to English songs and sing along! Have fun!
Chris Kearns
Position: Teacher
Years at LSE: just started in September 2012!
Hometown: Morris Plains, New Jersey, USA
Qualifications: Cambridge CELTA | Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and Russian Language
What made you decide to move to Ukraine?
At the age of 5, my mother signed me up for French class at a local community center and I have been studying language ever since then. Though I didn’t continue with French, I did spend years studying both Spanish and Russian. After university, I wanted to broaden my knowledge of the Slavic world, so I chose to come to Ukraine where I could be exposed to both Russian and Ukrainian and work to motivate my students to love studying languages as much as I have.
Alina Shkrebtiienko
Position: Teacher
Years at LSE: 3 years
Hometown: Mirgorod, Ukraine
Qualifications: Magistrate Degree in Linguistics | CELTA | CAE
What do you enjoy most about teaching?
There’s nothing that beats that moment of realization that students get something they have been struggling to learn. It’s almost like you can see the light go on in their eyes. To sit back and realize that you helped to unlock whatever barrier was holding them back makes the whole job worthwhile. These moments are really what being a teacher is about.
David Powell
Position: Teacher
Years at LSE: 16 years
Hometown: Southern England, UK and Kiev
Qualifications: Cambridge CELTA | BSc Physics
What is the best piece of advice you can give your students?
Work hard, do your homework, read modern English books that you find interesting / fun and only use English-to-English dictionary.
