Meet Our Fall Russian Language Instructors

Filippo Gioachina

Dear Russian 1 students,

I am very excited to meet you all! In this course, we will start from the very beginning: the Cyrillic alphabet, pronunciation, basic grammar, everyday vocabulary, and the first conversations that will allow you to introduce yourself, ask questions, and begin engaging with Russian culture.
As a non-native speaker myself, I know very well that starting a new language from scratch can be challenging, especially when that language uses a different alphabet. No prior knowledge of Russian is expected, only curiosity and a willingness to experiment with a new language.

 I look forward to meeting you in the fall and beginning this journey together!

Nicole Gonik

Dear Russian 6A students, 

I am so excited to meet you! I grew up as a heritage speaker of Russian myself, so I am deeply familiar with the quirks of this kind of language exposure – both the advantages it gives and the challenges that it occasionally causes. Whether you're wondering what exactly a "падеж" is, when to say "одевать" and when "надевать," or anything else about the Russian language, we will tackle all these queries together. Вперед!

Dr. Oksana Willis

Dear Russian 103A Students,

I am excited to begin this journey of linguistic and cultural discovery with you. Together, we will build your confidence as Russian speakers and help you become increasingly independent language learners.

Whether you are studying Russian for travel, heritage, career goals, research, or pure curiosity, I would love to hear about your motivations and interests. Together, we will shape a learning experience that supports your personal and professional goals while making language learning engaging, meaningful, and fun. Добро пожаловать!