Valodu centrs IH Riga-Satva. Valodu kursi. Angļu valodas kursi. Svešvalodas.

Native Teachers

Local Teachers

Robert Buckmaster

About myself:  I was born in Walsall, England but then left after six weeks to go to Singapore..and I haven’t stopped travelling since.

My hobbies and interests: I love photography, visiting castles and reading the literature of the countries I visit: I have read Lāčplēsis [in English!]

My educational background:  I have a BA (Honours) degree in Geography; a Certificate and Diploma in Teaching English as a Foreign Language to Adults; an Advanced Diploma in Language Teaching Management and a Masters in Education in E-Learning (Distinction).

My teaching experience: I have taught English for over 18 years. I started in Warsaw in Poland, where I lived and worked for ten years. I worked for the British Council in Warsaw before moving to Tallinn in Estonia to manage a project for the British Council training police and border guard English language teachers. Then I moved to Latvia and started working for International House in 2006. I have also taught and trained in Scotland, Lithuania, Slovakia, Poland, Uzbekistan, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovenia and worked in Libya and Jordan.

My reasons for coming to Riga: I moved here with my Latvian wife and children and we are enjoying living in Latvia.
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Zanna Kukina

About myself: I have a husband and son. They are a great support to me, they know that “mum “ can be very tired after lessons and they help me a lot. In fact, most of the flashcards that I use with my little students were made by my son who spent hours coloring them in.

My hobbies/ interests: My whole family enjoys cycling, rollerblading and skiing together, so in spring, summer and autumn you can meet us on the cycle-path “ Imanta- Jurmala” or in Mezapark cycling and rollerblading around. In winter we often spend weekends in our local “mountains.” Even though they are not very high, we enjoy skiing down them.

My dreams and ambitions: I have been to the Austrian Alps twice. It was a breathtaking experience! I’ve only been down the “ blue and red routes,” so my ambition is to conquer the “black route” one day!

My educational background: My qualifications include a Bachelor of Philology from the University of Latvia (1992), the University of Latvia diploma in English language teaching (2004),the Cambridge CELTA ( Certificate in English Teaching to Adults, 2005) and the IH Certificate in Teaching Young Learners, 2006.

My teaching experience: As long as I can remember I have been working with children and teaching them English. In fact, I have been doing it since 1992. My job is also my hobby: it is really creative , engaging and even fun to be a teacher. It always makes you think, develop and move on in order to make your lessons effective, interesting and enjoyable.

I enjoy working for IH Riga because it's a special place with a great working atmosphere and the best teachers in Riga. I'm proud to be a member of such a wonderful team!!!
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Irina Shpakova

About myself: I come from Latvia, but my great-grandmother was Greek. Unfortunately, I do not know much about my family tree. When I was little my mum and dad hoped I would be a diplomat or an interpreter, but I wanted to be a dancer. By the way, I spent 20 years of my life dancing (ballet, rock-and-roll, and folk dances). I am married and have a wonderful son called Artjom. We both love cartoons. Our favourite one is “Sponge Bob square pants” .We also have a cat. She is the real boss in our family!

My hobbies/ interests: I am a very loyal fan of hockey. We still hope that one day Latvia will take the first place in the World Hockey Championship. We have already been to 5 championships following our team but… the gold medal is still coming .
I love tennis. My coach is an ex-finalist of Wimbledon. He says I have some talent…just some….
I adore travelling. The best country I have visited so far is Portugal – wild and unpredictable but interesting with its historical and architectural diversity at the same time; and the food is excellent!

My dreams and ambitions: My dreams and most of my ambitions are connected with my son…most, not all! I have a dream to visit Australia and touch a koala. I would also like to see whales in wild (not in Australia, of course).
One of my strangest dreams is to go to India and talk to a real Buddhist monk and to ride an elephant.

My educational background: I graduated from Latvia University (Bachelor of Philology). In 1998 I had an exciting course at “Terri’’ Fashion and Modeling School with further training. It was fun!
In 2003 I got the IHCC certificate.
At the moment I am doing my MBA programme at RSEEBA.

My teaching experience: I started working at Satva ( later IH Riga-Satva) in 1995. Considering the fact that Satva was founded in 1994, I am one of the “pioneers” and I am very proud of this fact. I am a part of the school, as well as the school being a notable part of myself. I love my students and they seem to love me. I have been voted as “The best teacher of the year” a few times.
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Ursula Coggins

About myself: I am English. I was born in Cannock, Staffordshire but my family moved to Cornwall when I was a child. So I spent a lot of time at the beach, swimming, sailing and surfing (very badly).

My hobbies and interests: I love to read but I live to shop.

My educational background: I passed my CELTA in Budapest, my DELTA in Buenos Aires and my English degree in England.

My teaching experience: I started teaching 10 years ago in Tokyo and since then I have taught in Taiwan, Portugal, Georgia, Argentina and Mauritius. I really enjoy teaching because it’s different everyday, challenging and a lot of fun.

My reasons for coming to Riga: I have spent the last few years in the Southern Hemisphere and I am looking forward to winter!
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Laura Westwood

About myself: I am from Northern Ireland although I was born in Oxford, England. I have lived in a number of places including Germany, Scotland and England, I moved a lot when I was a child because of my dad's job. As an adult I have also moved around and I have lived in Poland and Thailand.

My hobbies and interests: I love cooking, I especially love cooking Indian and Chinese food. I also enjoy walking and riding my bike.

My educational background: I went to Queens University in Belfast and studied Politics. I did my CELTA in 2004 at Oxford Brooks University.

My teaching experience: I have been teaching English for 5 years and I have been a senior teacher for 2 years. I have found teaching  a very fulfilling career. I have taught in Poland and Thailand. These were 2 very different places and I think I learnt a lot from both experiences. I especially enjoy teaching young learners.

My reasons for coming to Riga: I am moving to Riga to experience living in another country. I have heard that Riga is a very beautiful place and that I look forward to working with International house here.

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Native Teachers

Cecilia Kus

About myself:  I was born near Belfast in Northern Ireland. I have three siblings. I am friendly, easy to talk to and curious. I enjoy experiencing new things.

My hobbies and interests: I love travelling and meeting new people. I read a lot and can spend hours in a book shop. I enjoy hiking and cycling, especially when exploring new places.

My educational background:  I have 3 A-levels; German, History and English literature and a BA in German and Scandinavian Studies from University College London. I took the CELTA certificate at IH Belfast two years ago.

My teaching experience: I taught English for three and a half years in Japan. What I enjoy most about teaching is the fun you can have with communication and the fact that we can do so much with language. I once put together a short play with my students. One of my best experiences was while teaching a group of people at my local community centre in Japan. They were a diverse group who wanted to learn English, mainly for travelling abroad.  They told me what they wanted to know and we planned the lessons from there, I learned a lot from them.

My reasons for coming to Riga: I wanted to go to a city which wasn’t too big and live somewhere with a cool climate. My aunt has been to Latvia and really liked Riga. I like old historic cities and Riga looks beautiful.
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Anita Hermanovske

About myself: I was born in Sydney, Australia and am a  first generation Latvian of Latvian born  parents, who emigrated to Australia in the 1950’s searching for a better life far away from war torn Europe. My childhood memories are filled with warm summers, the surf and the beach and a close-knit Latvian community that gave me a love for my homeland far away.

My hobbies and interests: Although I attended an Australian school and grew up in an Australian culture, every Saturday my parents took me to Latvian school, where I learned about the Latvian culture and language. My mother also had a big weaving loom in our house, which fascinated me so I learned to weave and am very interested in all textiles and particularly Latvian patterns. From my father I have inherited a love of photography and nature. In fact I cannot leave the house without my camera!

My educational background: I finished Sydney University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree majoring in Fine Arts because my desire was to be an Art Teacher. Later I completed a Diploma in Media and wrote a weaving book called ‘Latvian Weaving Techniques’ for my future textiles students, which proved very useful to me in my teaching. Much later I studied to be an English language teacher and completed the TESOL Certificate in Melbourne, Australia in 2007.
My teaching experience: I have been teaching in high schools since 1976 as well as studying and writing. I have taught both Art and English in Tenterfield, Broken Hill, Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney, Perth in Australia as well as in West and East London in England during the last 2 years. I like teaching English because it opens up many opportunities around the world and expands my knowledge of literature and the history of language.
My best experience of teaching English is to see students get high levels after their exams in English and to see them speaking and writing confidently when they graduate.

My reasons for coming to Riga: I have always wanted to work and live in Latvia ever since I can remember. I also love to travel and would like to experience more of the culture of Latvia as well as other neighbouring countries and take lots of photographs!
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Michael Man

About myself: I was born in North London but grew up in South London. I now live in Berkshire which is about an hour west of London whilst I’m in England. Otherwise, I’m still searching for my ‘home’! I also have a younger brother and sister to keep me company at home.

My hobbies and interests: Nothing out of the ordinary – I enjoy travelling, watching movies, listening to music, trying my hand at cooking on occasions, reading, skiing, talking, barbecuing...and of course going out and spending time with friends - but my real weakness is I love eating out!

My educational background: I went to Brunel University in West London and got a BSc in Geography. I also gained my Trinity TESOL certificate in October 2003 in London.

My teaching experience: I started teaching in the summer of 2004 with a summer school in the UK. I then moved to Italy and Spain briefly as well as spending time in Poland. In between those journeys abroad I also taught at my local FE College back in the UK.

Teaching is a difficult job but one in which I've come to realise I love the most. There’s no better feeling than when there’s a chance to play a part in helping another person acquire a new skill that would make a difference in their lives. And I certainly hope to continue to improve as a teacher in the future.

My reasons for coming to Riga: My first thought was why not? It’s a major city with plenty on offer, day and night, and I’ve lived and worked in the region before and had a fabulous time so I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed!
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Kenneth O'Connor

About myself:  I was born in Lynn, Massachusetts, U.S.A., but did most of my growing up in Derry, New Hampshire.  I consider myself an easy-going, mellow person.
 
Hobbies/interests:  I greatly enjoy reading, music, art, and meeting people.  I also enjoy playing football (NOT American football!).  My favorite team is Arsenal, though I know nothing about them.  I just like the name.
 
Educational Background:  I received my Bachelors from Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts with a concentration in studio art where I wrote and illustrated a children's book and am working with several ideas for other books.
 
Teaching Experience:  I taught for one year in Glogow, Poland and two and a half years in Szczecin, Poland.  I like aiding and participating in the discovery of something new and useful for students, helping them express themselves in a new language and getting to know each other in the process.
 
Reasons for coming to Riga:  Since coming to Central/Eastern Europe, I've fallen for the country, languages, and the kind, hospitable people in this region.  Also, having grown up in the northeast of America, I always feel more at ease the closer I am to the sea, so I am glad to be relocating to somewhere near the shore.
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Local Teachers

Mihails Devjatovskis

About myself: I am from Latvia. My wife’s name is Olga. I am kind and patient.

My hobbies/ interests: I like different kinds of sport and reading.

My dreams and ambitions: I want to be a good teacher.

My educational background: I have finished Rīgas Pedagoģijas Izglītības un Vadības Augstskola.

My teaching experience: 3 years in a state school, 1 year in a private school, 1 year with border guards (also teaching English).
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Irina Piskorska

"The bad teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires." Irina believes that "inspired students" learn much faster, that is why she does her best to create the most enjoyable learning atmosphre for her students. Many of them continue their studies again and again, treating English as their hobby and classes as meeting friends in the most exclusive club. " We laugh a lot, but in English! " - her students say.

After the graduation from the Latvian State University, she spent a year in the USA as a camp counselor. She worked with children , travelled across the country, meeting people and " picking up " a lot of "alive English ". On returning from the USA, for several years she was teaching in a state school. Then Irina took up a new job as a travel agent dealing mostly with education abroad programmes. She joined IH SATVA eight years ago as foreign programmes manager and a teacher. She has specialized in teaching adults and got her International House Conversion Course Certificate.

"All my free time I spend with my husband and children: an eight -year-old son and a baby daughter. We love travelling ! I am happy to see my son, who is International House' s student too, communicating in English worldwide... And I want to say - It is never too early and never too late to learn a language ! "
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Margaret Sinelnikova

About myself: I am very creative and enthusiastic. In 2006 I was awarded the prize “Gold Pen” for the results of my work.

My hobbies/ interests: I travel a lot.

My educational background: My qualifications include a BA, a MA (methods of EFL) and numerous courses both in Latvia and abroad.

My teaching experience: I am a local teacher of English, and have been working for Satva for 6 years. My priorities are: a creative approach to EFL teaching, creating a friendly atmosphere in the classroom which is part and parcel of giving a sound knowledge of English. At the moment I am focusing on preparing students for the centralized examination in Year 12. I have got excellent experience in it and my students’ results are impressive.
Having travelled a lot and having visited many countries outside Latvia, I use this background knowledge in my work.
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Leonid Sorokins

About myself: Born in Latvia. I am married with two children.

My hobbies/ interests: Reading and gardening.

My dreams and ambitions: To visit every English-speaking country.

My educational background:

• University of Latvia
• Professional Development Courses in Sweden, Denmark, Latvia and the UK.

My teaching experience: Rewarding moments:

1. A lot of my former students have succeeded in their professional careers and personal lives thanks to good knowledge of English.
2. It is very gratifying to see among your colleagues some of your students who have decided to follow you into EFL teaching.

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Lora Stelmaha

About myself: I have one sister, one daughter and I have been married once. I got married when I was eighteen and my daughter is eighteen years old now (I really hope she is not going to get married this year ). My birthday is on the 13-th of April.

I have two mottos:
   Better do it than wish it done.
   And
   In the Land of Hope there is never any winter.
My hobbies/ interests: I have two hobbies. The first one is travelling to exotic countries, the second one is my dog Honey.

My educational background: for two years I have been successfully doing the MBA programme for my Master’s Degree which was really useful and interesting.

My teaching experience: I have been with the International House Riga – Satva for thirteen years.
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Olga Vilka

About myself: Born in deep continental Latvia (Daugavpils) I always dreamt of the sea. When I first saw it ( at the age of 8) I decided to be a sea woman. I had an easy-going father who adored me and a strict mother. I was a bit bashful in my childhood, looked demure. I got the nickname “professor”. I grew up on a farm mostly. I am married and have a son ( DJ Vitamin) .

My hobbies/ interests: Good music ( among my favourite singers – Ainars Mielavs and Freddie Mercury), beautiful architecture, travelling ( I have been to 27 European countries and even China).I love looking at the sunrise, sunset, rainbows. I like listening to birds singing and the eternal song of the sea. I love reading a lot. My motto is harmony. The further from technology the better. I can’ t ride a bike, not to mention a car. I prefer walking to driving, grilled food to microwaved, theatre to cinema, live concerts to CDs, communicating face to face to e-mailing.

My dreams and ambitions: My dream is to travel the world ( I imagine myself standing near the huge statue of Jesus Christ in Rio), to play chess and the flute, not to be computer illiterate.

My educational background: Latvian State University, all kinds of language courses.

My teaching experience: Different language courses. From 1996- till present - IH Riga- Satva.
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Rita

About myself: I was born in Latvia, my native language is Russian. The English language is something I can’t imagine myself without! It is my profession, my life and my hobby.

My hobbies/ interests: Apart from teaching English I like travelling a lot. I also like animals and enjoy the company of three beautiful cats. I like music and singing and communicating with interesting people.

My dreams and ambitions: My dream is to travel to those parts of Russia where I have never been before (I have been to Kamchatka, though). My second dream is to get a dog!

My educational background: My qualifications include MD in Linguistics with a major in the English language and Literature at the Latvian University (1983) as well as IHCC (International House Conversion Course) at Satva.

My teaching experience: I love teaching adults and young learners at IH Riga because this is the place where I can be really creative during my lessons.

I want to share some of my teaching experience with you. In 2003 I had a wonderful group of students. They were the best students in the world: active, kind, understanding, outgoing, responsible. They studied very hard and always took top places in all kinds of competitions. It was a pleasure to reach them and just to spend time with them. Once they gave me a huge pink toy pig for my birthday (I collect toy pigs). It was beautiful, but very heavy. While I was carrying it I got so many comments in different languages from people around me- everybody liked it! My dear group # C516!: Veronika, Max, Kate, Nastja, Sveta, Ann and others! I love you and will always remember you!

I love Satva because of friendly atmosphere, helpful colleagues and great students who show me great results of their studies!
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Larisa Savina

About myself (country, family, character…)
I am from Latvia, Riga. I am married and have a son Juri,30, a daughter Julia, 23, and a grand-daughter Caroline,9 months old. I am friendly and helpful.

My hobbies/interests
I enjoy nature, walking along the seaside,flowers.
I enjoy cycling, reading books, travelling.
I believe in God, I am Christian.

My dreams and ambitions
My dream is to travel around the world .My ambition is to develop my professional skills and become one of the best teachers in IH Riga-Satva.

My educational background
I graduated from the Latvian State University, Foreign Languages faculty in 1976 ( English and Literature) and was qualified as a teacher of the English language.
In 2002 I graduated from the University of Latvia, Modern Languages faculty and got a degree of Master in Philology ( a post-graduate course in methods of teaching).

My teaching experience
From 1996- present : University of Latvia, preparatory courses, a teacher of English.
From 1998- 2007 : Agenskalna Grammar School, a teacher of English.
From 2007-now : IH Riga-Satva, a part-time teacher of English.
From 2007-now : E.Darzina Musical secondary School, a teacher of English.

My first impressions of Riga, Latvia
Riga is my native town. I love it.

What do you like most in IH Riga-Satva
In IH Riga-Satva I like most friendly atmosphere , the English language environment , highly-qualified staff, excellent working conditions for students and teachers, possibilities for professional development.
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Jekaterina Senchenkova

About myself: My name is Jekaterina, but it’s too long, so my students call me Kate.

My hobbies/ interests: Speaking about my hobbies, I like reading very much. I really read a lot and have many shelves of books at home. So, if you need a good book for reading, just ask me.

My dreams and ambitions: I would like to go abroad to study for a year.

My educational background: I’d always wanted to be a teacher, that’s why I finished the University of Latvia, the Faculty of Education and Psychology.

My teaching experience: I love teaching. It’s fun. Actually, every day is full of interesting and funny moments.
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Nadia

About myself: I was born in Riga. I am married. I am very goal-oriented, optimistic and kind person.

My hobbies/interests: As I have chosen a teacher's profession - my hobby is my work. I also love animals, especially small dogs. I have an adorable Russian toy-terrier named Vicky! And, of course, another thing witch I can't  imagine my life without is cooking.

My dreams and ambitions: I want to become a really good teacher of English for adults and children, because I love teaching them very much! I would like to have a happy and healthy family during all my life!

My educational background: I graduated from the University of Latvia, I have a Bachelor's degree in Education and Psychology.

My teaching experience:
I have been teaching at Satva for some period of time, mostly adult students.

What do you like most in IH Riga-Satva:
First of all, I like the way the work and social life are organized, secondly, I like the friendly atmosphere among the stuff, and the fact that my colleagues are always there when I need them.
I like working in Satva because of the great support from the team, nice atmosphere and the opportunity to develop as a teacher!
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