Daria Ledwon
Russian Language Educator
My name is Daria, but you’re welcome to call me Dasha, the friendly short form of my name. I am a language enthusiast from St.Petersburg living in Brussels. I specialise in teaching Russian and designing language courses, textbooks, curricula, and exams.
About Me
What’s my background?
I studied in Saint Petersburg and hold a Ph.D. in Pedagogy and Methodology of Language Teaching, a Master's in Cultural Linguistics, and a Bachelor's in Russian and English.
I started teaching in 2003, still a university student myself. At the same time, I was helping university applicants prepare for their Russian exams.That very first student and those first lessons sparked a deep connection with the Russian language and teaching, and it has stayed with me ever since.
For me, Russian isn’t just a job. It’s truly at the core of who I am, the foundation from which my entire teaching journey has grown.
What experience and insight do I bring?
Since 2006, I have been teaching Russian and English to students from over 25 nationalities, both one-to-one and in diverse classroom settings, online and offline. Since the start of the pandemic, I’ve been actively developing my skills in online teaching. I’ve taken part in numerous webinars and professional development programs focused on digital education and remote learning.
I have a passion for learning languages. I speak Russian, English, French, and German, and I've also studied Dutch and Spanish. As a lifelong language learner myself, I understand the process from a student’s perspective.
Where am I now?
Since 2016, I’ve been living in Brussels, teaching mainly at European institutions and cours du soir. I also offer tailored lessons for adults, and have experience teaching English to kids at a school with a native language approach. However, my true professional passion lies in teaching Russian as a foreign language to adults.
What are my key projects?
I co-authored the textbook "I Love Russian" (A2–B1) and created several beginner courses, including the Russian For Complete Beginners course, the Essential Russian mini-course, and the Alphabet course. I have also developed curricula for all levels and designed exams for various language schools. Additionally, I specialise in TORFL and TELC exam preparation.
What drives me professionally?
My professional interests include foreign language teaching methodology, multilingualism, multiculturalism, intercultural communication, cultural linguistics, e-learning, and innovative approaches to language acquisition.
I am always open to collaboration with learners, educators, and institutions interested in Russian language projects.
I studied in Saint Petersburg and hold a Ph.D. in Pedagogy and Methodology of Language Teaching, a Master's in Cultural Linguistics, and a Bachelor's in Russian and English.
I started teaching in 2003, still a university student myself. At the same time, I was helping university applicants prepare for their Russian exams.That very first student and those first lessons sparked a deep connection with the Russian language and teaching, and it has stayed with me ever since.
For me, Russian isn’t just a job. It’s truly at the core of who I am, the foundation from which my entire teaching journey has grown.
What experience and insight do I bring?
Since 2006, I have been teaching Russian and English to students from over 25 nationalities, both one-to-one and in diverse classroom settings, online and offline. Since the start of the pandemic, I’ve been actively developing my skills in online teaching. I’ve taken part in numerous webinars and professional development programs focused on digital education and remote learning.
I have a passion for learning languages. I speak Russian, English, French, and German, and I've also studied Dutch and Spanish. As a lifelong language learner myself, I understand the process from a student’s perspective.
Where am I now?
Since 2016, I’ve been living in Brussels, teaching mainly at European institutions and cours du soir. I also offer tailored lessons for adults, and have experience teaching English to kids at a school with a native language approach. However, my true professional passion lies in teaching Russian as a foreign language to adults.
What are my key projects?
I co-authored the textbook "I Love Russian" (A2–B1) and created several beginner courses, including the Russian For Complete Beginners course, the Essential Russian mini-course, and the Alphabet course. I have also developed curricula for all levels and designed exams for various language schools. Additionally, I specialise in TORFL and TELC exam preparation.
What drives me professionally?
My professional interests include foreign language teaching methodology, multilingualism, multiculturalism, intercultural communication, cultural linguistics, e-learning, and innovative approaches to language acquisition.
I am always open to collaboration with learners, educators, and institutions interested in Russian language projects.
Students' reviews
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Stavros 🇬🇷In our first lesson, Dasha spoke in Russian, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I understood. In subsequent classes, it became clear that Dasha fosters an immersive environment that cultivates an independent relationship with the language. Her dynamic and fun exercises helped me tackle challenges without fatigue or discouragement. Her engaging approach made learning enjoyable and productive! -
Patricia 🇬🇧Let’s face it, Russian isn’t easy to learn! You need a really good teacher. And Dasha is great!
She plans the lesson individually, tailoring it to the student’s needs. She is patient and thorough, and most important of all, she knows the Russian language inside out. She can answer every question, and explain every vagary of the grammar, and make it fun at the same time. Go for it, you won’t regret it! -
Jean 🇫🇷Daria is an excellent teacher. She has a very good sense of pedagogy, was able to adapt to my level and my expectations to help me progress quickly in a stimulating and friendly atmosphere. The course is a complete and fun immersion, you come out of it super motivated and energized! Thank you Daria! -
Greame 🇨🇦Excellent teacher with a strong pedagogical background and a friendly personality, both of which make her a strong language instructor. She is well organized and punctual, but also takes care to create a relaxed and positive atmosphere for lessons. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a good learning experience! -
Louis 🇧🇪I needed to obtain the TRKI-1 certificate (level B1) for my job, and I'm fascinated by the language, country, and culture. I really appreciate Daria's comprehensive and personalized courses that cover all aspects: oral expression, writing, reading, and listening. She is patient and finds creative ways to explain difficult concepts. Daria also takes my topic preferences into account. I highly recommend her; you won't be disappointed! -
Matt 🇨🇦Few can compete with Dasha's thorough knowledge of how to teach her language and helping a student understand how the language itself works. Two thumbs up for Dasha! Thank you for a job well done. -
Christopher 🇩🇪 🇺🇸I have been studying Russian with Dasha for several years and thanks to her help have made substantial progress. She is kind, patient, very knowledgeable, and knows how to explain complex grammar in a way that the student understands. She really cares about her students, and lessons with her are always a lot of fun. If you are looking for a Russian teacher, you could not make a better choice than Dasha! - Lionel 🇧🇪Daria is a pleasant, approachable, smiling, energetic and motivating teacher. Always very punctual, she teaches both in person and remotely. She has the art of encouraging her students and pulling them up. She is really the kind of teacher who makes you want to continue learning and who you don't want to disappoint. If you want to learn Russian, I recommend her with my eyes closed!
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Attila 🇧🇪Daria is energetic and very active, exhibiting an incredible amount of enthusiasm in everything she does. She puts in a lot of effort, which makes her lessons not only informative but also a great pleasure for everyone involved.
One-to-One and Group Lessons I Teach:
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General Russian CourseThis course improves Russian language skills by integrating grammar, vocabulary, communication, and culture. Skill levels: A1 - C1 -
TORFL and TELC
Exam PreparationCourse to prepare for the Russian as a Foreign Language Exam at every level -
Conversational RussianA practical course designed to help you speak and understand everyday Russian through real-life dialogues and cultural insights. -
Specific CoursesGrammar Course, Russian for tourists, Russian literature, Russian media, Russian history, Politics and diplomacy, Conversation and slang, Individual consultations, Reading news.
Self-Paced Online Video Courses I Offer:
Online courses with short videos, where I explain the theory and practice the material with you; PDF homework assignments with answer keys, PDF presentations, bonus materials, and a vocabulary list to each lesson. You can always revisit and rewatch the lessons, as well as download the PDF materials.
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Alphabet, Pronunciation & SpellingA mini-course (11 videos) focused on the Russian alphabet, pronunciation rules, and spelling basics.
Get this course on Udemy now:
Link: https://www.udemy.com/course/russian-lesson-1-alphabet-pronunciation-spelling/?couponCode=87A01429651354BEAFD6
Code: 87A01429651354BEAFD6 -
Essential Russian in 5 LessonsThe mini course includes 5 lessons (8-10 videos each): alphabet and pronunciation, useful phrases and questions, essential verbs of 2 conjugations, professions, personal pronouns and adverbs. -
The course includes 26 step-by-step modules and two revision lessons.
By the end of the course, you’ll be able to:- Read and pronounce Russian words
- Introduce yourself and ask simple questions
- Understand and use essential verbs, personal and possessive pronouns, adjectives and adverbs, numbers, and the first grammatical cases
- Talk about topics like family, weather, hobbies, food, sports, and daily life
- And feel confident using Russian at an A1 level.
My approach to teaching
- Adaptive TeachingI break down complex grammar and vocabulary into simple explanations. For example, instead of just listing the six Russian cases with abstract definitions, I show how they work using everyday examples — like how the accusative case answers "What are you eating?" or how the prepositional case tells you where something is. I adjust my pace and methods to suit your level — no overwhelm, just steady progress.
- Personalized LearningEvery student is different. If you love cooking, we use recipes and food blogs; if you're into politics, we discuss current events. I design lessons around your goals — whether it’s preparing for a trip, passing an exam, or chatting with your Russian-speaking in-laws. Lessons are always relevant.
- Inspiring LessonsLanguage should feel alive! We role-play real situations — ordering in a café, arguing about movies, or navigating the Russian metro. I use memes, videos, songs, and even Russian Instagram posts. My goal is to keep you engaged, and looking forward to the next class.
- Student PerspectiveI know what it's like to feel lost in a new language, I’ve been there myself. That’s why I try to anticipate what might confuse you (pronunciation, word order, cultural differences). I’ll share the little tricks that helped me and point out things native speakers might not even notice.
- CommunicationFrom day one, I get you talking. I’ll always encourage you to ask questions, make mistakes, and express your thoughts. Russian might be complex, but with a safe, supportive space to practice, you'll find your voice faster than you think.
My teaching moments
Contacts
If you are interested in my courses or private lessons, I am happy to answer your questions
through Email or WhatsApp message, so feel free to reach out to me:
through Email or WhatsApp message, so feel free to reach out to me:
© All Rights Reserved dasha.ledwon@gmail.com
