Our teachers

Yuliya Antyufeyeva

Nowadays I am teaching English, German, and Ukrainian at a tutoring agency in London. Also I am working as a telephone interpreter helping Ukrainian refugees in the UK. For a long time I have been working with adults who aim to speak fluently for different purposes, i.e. traveling, working or living abroad.

I love painting, long walks with dogs, coffee and audiobooks.

Lucia Brandi

I am Italian, from Naples. I have been teaching English, Italian and French in London and Paris for the past 15 years. As a learner myself, I understand how daunting it can be when facing new challenges when attempting to learn a new language. However, more importantly, I know this time and journey are so exciting and wonderful. This journey of discovery is fun and life-changing and teaches you not only a new language but the type of resilience you won’t believe you have. I currently work in a Primary School in Peckham, where I continue to hone my practice.

Heda Budzakova

I am originally from Slovakia. I moved to London almost 10 years ago and I love living in this vibrant city. I love long walks, exploring the UK, music, literature and I also love cooking, crocheting, knitting and cross stitching.

Oksana Buryak

Best Teachers come from the best Students!

That statement encourages and drives me.

I have been teaching for 20 years in Ukraine and have never regretted choosing my job.

I adore playing badminton and occasionally take part in the amateur competitions. I also love Nordic walking.

Nina Caplin

I’m from London and I grew up here, but I’ve also lived in Luxembourg and Spain. My family is originally from Hungary, Poland, China and Belarus (unfortunately I don’t speak any of those languages!) I work at a regulator and enjoy teaching English in my spare time.

Emma Goldman

I am a writer, theatre critic and English teacher. I love hiking and usually head out of London for the countryside at the weekends. I wanted to teach at the school as I know that language is key to everything when you are in a new country.

Maria Makhno

I love teaching English to children and adult students. I like to share the experience of studying and working in different countries and listening to fascinating stories of students. In my free time, I am interested in reading, films, traveling, sports, self-study, and meeting new people.

Grace McEleny

I work as a researcher. In my free time I enjoy travelling, cinema and culture. I have a background in international relations and working with refugees, with five years experience teaching English.

I’m excited to meet you and I’m sure we will have fun learning together!

Alex Moore

Before becoming an English teacher, I worked as a journalist for a local newspaper group in my native South Wales. After qualifying, my first spell abroad was in China, from 2011-2016 (a six-month career break that got seriously out of hand), where I was appointed Foreign Teacher Manager by i2 in Chongqing. Since then, I have taught at an International House school in Poland and two language schools in the UK. I live in St Albans with my partner, Veronica.

Ruslana Novik

I hold a BA in English Linguistics from Kyiv State Linguistic University and a CELTA Teaching Qualification from the International House London. I also work as a professional interpreter.

Let’s do it together!

Tom Pandolfino

I am a teacher of Russian, French, and German at the City of London school. An avid language learner, polyglot, and traveler, I speak several languages to varying degrees of fluency. I have had work published in The New European and The Daily Telegraph and have been featured in The Observer Magazine. Tom has also been a keynote speaker at conferences, including conferences held by Goethe Institute London.

Imogen Parker

Originally from Yorkshire in the North of England, and half Australian from my mother’s side, I now live in London and work as Head of French at in a central London school. Quite a few years ago, I lived in Brittany in France and then Brussels, Belgium (where I gained my CELTA qualification). I love spending time with my family and friends – including my dog Ruby – over a good cup of ‘Yorkshire Tea’ or on a walk. When I get the chance, I love to read, play my flute and travel.

Kate Ravenscroft

I am Polish and studied English in Katowice. I have lived in London for over 20 years and have worked in a variety of primary schools, both as a teacher of English and Maths, and as a learning support assistant. I currently work in the Special Educational Needs Department at a school in Battersea. I like cooking, gardening and spending time outdoors. My interests include history, physics and reading. I am married, with two grown-up children.

Iryna Shutova

I’ve been leading groups of kids and adults along the tricky paths of learning English for the past 20 years taking a few breaks for maternity leaves and interpreting activities. I find helping others to unlock a whole new level of understanding a new language challenging, exciting and rewarding. My interests include, but are not limited to reading, traveling, making new friends, and discovering something new about myself and the world around us.

Hanna Sliadnieva

I’m an English teacher from Dnipro, Ukraine. I am so excited to be a part of this amazing school where Ukrainian people can learn English and make new friends.

Veronica Willard

I have 12 years’ experience of teaching English in five different countries. This includes a range of lessons from General English to Exams and English for Academic Purposes. My hobbies including reading, watching movies, and going to the theatre and museums.

Our management team

Olha Plyushch

School Manager

My superpower—I am Ukrainian.

My native city is Chernihiv. For past 20 years I have been living in Kyiv. I always develop myself, learn new things and love to be helpful. I have been teaching English in Ukraine. Now I am here to help Ukrainians in London.

Dave Watkins

Teacher Trainer & Course Developer

I lived and worked in Ukraine from 2001-2014. I enjoy working with all types of teachers and remember my time in Ukraine with great fondness, so it was a pleasure when I was recently asked to help the Ukrainian Institute to set up courses for newly displaced Ukrainian arrivals in the UK.

Since 2014 I’ve mostly worked in Africa, with primary and secondary school teachers in Ethiopia and Sudan. I love travelling and finding out about new countries and cultures – I even sometimes feel like a foreigner in my own country as a result!

Maria Montague

Deputy Director

I’m a cultural manager with a keen interest in Ukraine. I first visited Ukraine in 2012, and since then have lived and worked in Kyiv, and produced various theatre and cultural projects in Ukraine. I have had the pleasure of working with the Ukrainian Institute London since 2018.

Olesya Khromeychuk

Director

I am originally from Lviv. I moved to the UK when I was 16. I’m a historian and writer. I’ve taught the history of East-Central Europe at several British universities. It is my great privilege to be the Director of the Ukrainian Institute London.

Our volunteers

Natasha Braginsky Mounier

Crèche Volunteer

I am a native of Kyiv but my family emigrated to the US back in the Soviet era and I have vivid memories of being a child refugee. This is why I am passionate about helping displaced Ukrainians in London through language and community support. My professional background is in finance and investment, skills which I hope to use again to help rebuild a flourishing post war Ukraine.

Catherine Jaskowiak

English Teaching Volunteer