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In this program you will learn how to crack the code behind the words to understand the true intentions of your counterparts, get your own message across and elevate your expertise on Russian speaking countries.
You are a professional who deals with countries from the post-soviet world. You already have a B1 level in Russian or higher, you know your grammar and have a good vocabulary. However, you experience some challenges to communicate effectively and reach your professional goals.
Sometimes you don't understand the meaning of specific proverbs or idioms that often have double meanings. People from Russians may be very direct and you are not sure how to deal with that straightforwardness without losing ground in negotiations.
People from Russian speaking countries may be very direct and you are not sure how to deal with that straightforwardness. You wish to connect with your counterparts and build trust, but you struggle to understand their culture, their behavior and you find it difficult to integrate their social cues, their humor and their way of thinking when you communicate with them.
Every industry has its own culture, vocabulary and codes that you need to know in order to be taken seriously by your Russian speaking counterparts. Without this knowledge you struggle to be at the same level of conversation and power to collaborate or negotiate with them.
Sometimes you don't understand the meaning of specific proverbs or idioms that often have double meanings. People from Russians may be very direct and you are not sure how to deal with that straightforwardness without losing ground in negotiations.
People from Russian speaking countries may be very direct and you are not sure how to deal with that straightforwardness. You wish to connect with your counterparts and build trust, but you struggle to understand their culture, their behavior and you find it difficult to integrate their social cues, their humor and their way of thinking when you communicate with them.
Every industry has its own culture, vocabulary and codes that you need to know in order to be taken seriously by your Russian speaking counterparts. Without this knowledge you struggle to be at the same level of conversation and power to collaborate or negotiate with them.
As a journalist covering Russia, Belarus, the Southern Caucasus and Central Asia, Russian language skills have always been key for me. Irina not only prepared me for my work on a linguistic level - her hands - on approach was particularly helpful as it emphasized on speech and pronunciation - she also helped me better understand the people, culture and politics of this world region. Highly recommended!
Despite being a native Russian speaker, I, nevertheless, came across many challenges when writing narration for my feature documentary "Russians at War" (2024). I needed a consultant who not only possessed a flawless mastery of the Russian language, but could advise me on how best to bring across the subtlest emotional and political nuances in describing a very complicated and delicate topic. Dr. Kisielowa was out of this world. Her guidance with finding the right tone, her knowledge of regional dialects, Russian-Ukrainian relations and intimate socio-economic language markers were exactly what I needed and more. I would highly recommend Dr. Kisielowa and will definitely be using her services again in the future.
After completing my exchange semester in Russia, my Russian language skills reached a standstill. I was fortunate however, to start attending Irina's classes. In her I not only found a committed teacher, but also a literature, art, history and politics enthusiast - areas in which I needed to better articulate myself in and craft professional documents with clarity. With personalized guidance, dedication and patience, Irina helped me identify my specific needs. Together we worked on complex grammatical structures, facilitating their application in both everyday conversation and specialized contexts. We practiced role-playing business opportunities and writing professional emails. She continuously challenged me with new materials and offered strategies on how to retain and use my new vocabulary more effectively. Irina's expertise and encouragement boosted my confidence and thus accelerated my learning. Her tailored approach and constructive feedback significantly improved my business language proficiency and writing capabilities.With Irina's help I was able to transform my language skills, which empowered me to communicate effectively in a global setting.
When I started working with Irina, I had already been exposed to the language through speaking and listening. Unfortunately, my grammar knowledge was quite patchy and my active vocabulary was limited. Irina provided structured lessons focused on improving my grammar and expanding my vocabulary. She used a wide range of materials, including textbooks, handouts, videos, and other multimedia. Irina challenged me to immerse myself in new areas of language and life, which greatly enhanced my learning experience. Her supportive teaching style and warm personality boosted my confidence when speaking Russian. With increased confidence in speaking and writing Russian, I have been able to make new friendships and use the language professionally as a lawyer when working with clients. This has allowed me to build trust and forge relationships that would otherwise have been impossible. Moreover, Irina's deep knowledge of Russian literature and culture has kindled my interest in modern Russian poetry and visual arts. This unexpected but appreciated outcome has enriched my life in ways I never anticipated, opening up new worlds of cultural appreciation!
Literary translation requires special linguistic competence and a deep knowledge of the native language. Without a great understanding of the original work, it is very challenging to translate not just the words but the meaning and emotions behind them.. Although we would know the language of the work perfectly, we may always miss a context, a hidden meaning, a quote from a child's lullaby or a school reading that is unrecognizable to us. For that reason we chose to use the services of Dr. Irina Kisielowa, an excellent translator of fiction novels who allows us to understand what might escape us beyond the words as she sees the specific context of the story that is unknown to us. I can highly recommend her services in Literary translation, she will help you to stay true to the intent of the Author while connecting with the reader's language.
I am a Doctor in Slavonic Studies and I have been a Russian language professor and interpreter for the past 20 years. I interpreted more than 100 books, theater plays, movies and documentaries from Polish, German into Russian, for which I received multiple awards.
Born in Ukraine to Polish and Russian parents, I spent most of my life and career living in various European countries and particularly in East European cultures.
Combined with my personal story, my experience as an interpreter and my expertise in Russian literature and Slavic cultures allows me to provide a unique understanding of the mentality differences within Post-Soviet countries.
While most Russian teachers will teach you how to speak the language, I will teach you how to speak the “post-soviet mind” and rapidly blend in the specific professional or social settings you need to be part of.
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