Frequently
Asked
Questions

Which language is better to learn, Russian or Ukrainian?

If you plan to live or have business in or with Ukraine, it would be most convenient to learn Ukrainian because everyone here understands it, and it is a state language. However, if you plan to travel or work in other post-Soviet countries, the Russian language will be more helpful as you will be able to communicate with many locals there. Ukrainians speak and understand Russian quite well.

Do you offer accommodation for your students?

Right now we don’t have any accommodation options for our students. But we can help you find it. Just let us know what you need.

Will I receive a language certificate at the end of the course?

We issue a school certificate after you complete each language level. If you are looking for an international certificate, you can take TORFL (Test of Russian as a Foreign Language) and obtain it. ALMA School has successfully prepared many students for this exam and can help arrange the test with our Partner — an official certification center in Kyiv.

Do you offer a trial lesson?

We do offer our potential students a free trial lesson. It lasts 40 minutes and gives you an opportunity to meet your prospective teacher and get to know our teaching method.

Do you offer online or offline classes?

We offer classes both online and offline at our school on 15v, Lypska Street in Kiev (Kyiv) or at your location.

Can I choose a teacher?

We usually assign a teacher based on students’ needs, current language level, preferred timetable etc. All our teachers are experienced professionals who will make sure that your classes are enjoyable and effective.

Can I change my teacher if I’d like?

We understand how challenging it is to study a foreign language. Psychological comfort plays an important role in your progress. If you feel that you’d benefit from changing your teacher, we will of course arrange it.

Do I need to buy a coursebook?

We can order a book from a publishing house for you, or we can provide a scan copy of the book. The price of a textbook is not included in the course fee.

How do I register for the course?

You can email us at info@almaschool.co.ua or fill out a simple form on our website and we’ll arrange your classes at a convenient time.

Do I need a visa to come to Ukraine?

USA and EU citizens can stay in Ukraine for 90 days visa-free. Citizens from other countries may require a visa. For more information, please consult with our Ministry of Foreign Affairs (https://mfa.gov.ua/en/consular-affairs)

Does your school offer visa support?

At the moment our school doesn’t provide visa support or any visa-related services or consultations.

How and when do I pay for my language course?

We kindly ask our students to prepay classes they plan to have during a month in advance. We will provide all the necessary payment details via email info@almaschool.com.ua.

Are there any discounts / packaged offers at your school?

You can get up to 3 free lessons with ALMA School if you opt for an intensive course option (2 to 5 classroom hours a day, 1 to 4 weeks a month). The amount of free classes you can take is based on the intensity of your studies. Drop us a line at info@almaschool.com.ua to learn more about the offer. We do not offer any discounts or packaged deals for regular classes.

What should I do if I need to cancel my class?

If you need to cancel (or postpone) the lesson and do so before 7 pm of the previous day, the payment is moved to the next month. You can contact us via email, any messenger or give us a call. Otherwise, the lesson will be charged for. You can read more about our policy.

Do you offer corporate classes?

We at ALMA School have a lot of experience working with different international and local companies. Your colleagues can study online, in our school or at your location. We can also offer unique lectures on Ukrainian culture and language that can be a great option for your company events. To get more details, please email us at info@almaschool.com.ua

Can I study Russian or Ukrainian with you if I’m a native speaker of Russian?

If you are a Russian native speaker, we can prepare you for a TORFL exam (Test of Russian as a Foreign Language) if you’d like to obtain an international certificate proving your language ability. We can also teach you Ukrainian in case you’re in need of the language (having relocated or started a new job in Ukraine etc.).We also offer corporate Ukrainian classes to the companies residing in Ukraine where we teach fellow Ukrainians and perfect their level of the language. Upon request, we can also tailor-make a corporate Russian course for you and / or your staff.

Does the school work during holidays?

The class will take place only if the student and the teacher have previously agreed to have a class on the date of a public holiday. The administration doesn’t work during public holidays.

Do you have branches in other cities?

Right now ALMA School works offline only in Kyiv and online worldwide.

Do you teach other languages (except Russian and Ukrainian)?

At the moment ALMA School provides only Russian and Ukrainian language classes.

What’s your teaching method?

In class, we apply a communicative approach to teaching and believe that lessons of Ukrainian and Russian as foreign should be as fun, effective, informative and practical as it is with English right now. Communicative approach means:Learners learn a language through using it to communicateAuthentic and meaningful communication should be the goal of classroom activitiesFluency is an important dimension of communicationCommunication involves the integration of different language skillsLearning is a process of creative construction and involves trial and errorWe follow best practices in teaching, constantly upgrading our skills by attending seminars and workshops on Communicative Language Teaching, Creative Learning, etc.