Our manager Natalia Kryuchkova is the first person who will meet you at the office. She has been teaching at RussianLab since 2006, and in 2010 she was promoted to a manager's position. However, Natalia still teaches, as one cannot leave one's vocation for the sake of career. Natalia: "You feel lost, confused or even helpless in Moscow’s environment, come to our school and our teachers, unique, creative, dedicated, each having her own inimitable approach to the Russian language, will change the situation for the better. I’ve been in teaching for more than 8 years already and I know what I am talking about. Just wanted to remind you one saying I like “Quot linguas calles, tot homines vales” which can be interpreted like “How many languages you know, so many times you are a human being”.

Natalia and Elena Radchenko make a good team together.Elena is energetic and inspiring and yes, she is also a teacher, whose communicative skills made us think she could also succeed as a manager. Elena: "In life, it is always necessary to strive for success. I started working as a teacher for Russian Lab couple of years ago, and I already know it’s the best school in the world! So, when they offered me the manager’s position, I just couldn’t say no. That is my success. It is simply amazing to be a manager, yet at the same time, not forget about my career as a teacher. Now, I am trying to provide not only interesting and productive lessons, but also excellent organisation throughout the whole learning process. It’s great when the system runs smoothly around you. Do you have any questions? I will get back to you straight away". 

The managing director of RussianLab Elena Nikiforova graduated from the State University of St. Petersburg. She is a professional Russian language teacher. She has taught Russian language lessons at home and abroad for seven years. Because of her first-hand experience, she is personally responsible for quality control of the Russian language program. Elena took part in the start-up of two companies which offered services to foreigners in Russia. In 2004 she moved from St. Petersburg to Moscow to start an outlet of the Swiss language school in the position of managing director. The school is still operating successfully today. The winds of change led her to create the school of her dreams where foreigners could study Russian. Elena also diverted from teaching Russian as a foreign language for a while to work as a general director of a Turkish company to expand her portfolio.

A good school means not only good teaching, but also a good service. We know that sometimes in Russia you have to encounter the notorious “Russian service”, which is not what you’re used to or might expect. But you can forget about it as you step into our office. We work almost as good as if you haven’t left home. “Almost” because sometimes we work even better. You will experience it for yourself as soon as you meet Ekaterina Shugurova, our project director and partner. Her all career seems to be a path to become an indispensable player of  RussianLab team. She has worked at the Moscow State University language centre for 4 years, then took part in the setting-up of the European brand-driven trade fair ispo and its adaptation to the realities of the Russian market.