Elina Tatarenko

Elina Tatarenko

Russia

• 2001 – Certificate of Arts No 4, Electronic Design and Interactive Media (JMC Academy – Sydney)
• 1993 – Bachelor of Engineering, Bachelor of Arts. Major; Chemical Engineering, Computer Graphic Art (University of Technologies – Novocherkassk, Russia)
• 1986 – Art School, Major; Painting, Drawing, Sculpture, Graphics, History of Arts (Novocherkassk)

My teaching style -

Why do I like to teach people how to speak my native language? Firstly, because this is my language and I am perfect at it. So I can share my knowledge with others. And secondly, people in Australia do not have enough information about modern Russia. There is no secret that most Australians might see Russia through the eyes of American and British TV journalists. And to be honest, it is not always the true story. Teaching gives me an opportunity to tell people about my motherland, to introduce them to the cultural, spiritual and artistic treasures of Russia.

I think that Australians and Russians have a lot in common, - same kindness, same openness, same ability to enjoy life in full, sometimes even same carelessness. So we are similar, we just speak different languages. And my teaching helps us to get over this difference.

Talking about any ‘special teaching techniques’, I’d say that I just try to be useful to students' needs. I always ask my students what is their purpose of study and, as Russians say, then I ‘start my dance from that point’. For example, if the general interest is travelling to Russia, we pay more attention to the conversations of this topic (like airport, hotels, shopping, customs, etc.) If the interest was in something else, we would pay more attention to those themes. But I always tell my students that the grammar is the foundation of Russian language, so this is a constant component of the lessons.

We use different strategies and tactics of study in class. There are CDs and video, reading, speaking, writing, playing roles in situational conversations, and of course, homework.

There is nothing unique about me. Very ordinary person: I love my family and my cats, I cannot live without TV and books and I like when my friends come to my home.