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My feedback for my 3 months in Russia- I can say that I am very satisfied. It was quite a good choice to visit the school in Moscow and then the school in St Petersburg. But if I would do it again I would spend more time in St Petersburg than in Moscow. St Petersburg is really beautiful and the atmosphere in the school is great!!! Moscow and St Petersburg are two cities worth to visit. The teachers of Liden & Denz are really supportive and it is possible to see our progress!! Thank you!

Simiane Dominique Turin, Switzerland, Intensive Group course, Moscow and St. Petersburg centres – 04.09.-27.11.2011

Why have you decided to come to St. Petersburg and learn Russian?
I like the challenge of learning a difficult language as I speak several Romance languages (Spanish, Portuguese and some Italian). One of my hobbies also exposes me to many Russian speaking people.

Will Russian be useful for your job/your career?
I will be useful mostly in social settings.

What was your first contact with Russian?
I opened an office for our Company in 1994 in Moscow and have returned seven times since.

What was your first impression of St. Petersburg?
It is a city that leaves a very strong impression for its beauty (architectural, cultural) and offers many attractions including its churches, museums, cultural events (opera, symphony, ballet, concerts), wonderful and varied experiences and with its Venetian flair, an ever changing perspective of a city rich in history and memories.

What is easy about learning Russian?
Some words are similar to English. Once the alphabet is learned it becomes easier to read (not necessarily understand the meaning of each word) and pronounce words.

What is particularly hard?
So many different words with different meanings. Use of soft and hard signs.

Could you imagine to live and work in Russia in the future?
Yes, I could live here but would want to master Russian before/during stay to take advantage of cultural/social opportunities and to blend in with local population.

Instructors were most patient and encouraging. I only wish I had asked that we create social situations/dialogs for day-to-day situations – commuting, dining. My sense after two weeks is that it is exactly where we were going. I just needed a few extra weeks. This is my fault. The staff at Transportny per. was very accommodating and courteous. It always felt comfortable. My compliments and thanks to Tatyana, Elena, Sasha and Eugenia.

John Gussenhoven is the author of the book Crisscrossing America.

There is an opportunity to rent a beautifully renovated and fully furnished 4-room-apartment in the diplomatic area of St. Petersburg opposite the German Consulate on ul. Furshtatskaya 42. The apartment (200 square meters) is located on the third floor (no lift) of a historical building with two bedrooms and a large living room facing south; kitchen, two bathrooms and study facing north (yard).

The apartment has been completely refurbished during 2006-2007 with only the tiled stove in the living room remaining as original piece of art, dating back to 1865 (the stove is working). There is floor heating in all common areas, the kitchen and both bathrooms. In all other rooms, where the floors are of solid walnut, heating is traditional. The study features another fireplace covered with Italian marble!

The main bathroom leads to a separate shower, toilet, washing/tumbling room and sauna. The oversized bathtub comes with air/water pumps (whirlpool). The second bathroom is equipped with another shower and guest toilet. All fittings are from Switzerland and Germany. There are hot and cold water filters.

The kitchen is very spacious with an island/seating area for six adults. Additional to the standard equipment, we have built in an ice-machine and a wine fridge for 36 bottles.

For the interior/furniture we have chosen mostly suppliers from Italy: Flou (bedroom), Majo di Murano (chandeliers/lighting), Bosal (upholstery), Gicinque and Smeg (kitchen), Guiseppe Visentin (sideboards etc.).

• apartment available now
• 200 square meters
• third floor, no lift
• fully equipped
• WiFi: 12 Mbit
• Satellite: Astra/Hotbird

Monthly rate: 160.000 RUB excluding communal costs. Further information/visit can be arranged via +7 921 941 33 66 or flat_rent@lidenz.ru.

Paulo Renato Souza Cunha is a Brazilian student currently studying Russian at Liden & Denz St. Petersburg. He has something extraordinary to share:

Fisherman on the Neva river

I just made my month in St. Petersburg. It is such a wonderful city, indeed. One of the best places in the world to make nice pictures and catch its people feelings. I’ve been taking photos since I arrived at Pulkovo, last April. And here’s the result of my quest: Photo albums of Paulo

That’s how I see (and would never forget about) this gorgeous town.

Paulo Renato Souza Cunha

“The next winner to be announced was one of these new categories, LTM Star “Other” Languages, which was introduced specifically for language schools teaching non-mainstream languages. The nominees this year included schools in Russia, Japan, Portugal, China and Egypt, refllecting how diverse our industry is becoming. The winner was Liden & Denz Language Centre in Russia and Walter Denz came up on stage to collect his trophy.”

Language Travel Magazine – Star Awards 2008

Ich war zwei Wochen in St. Petersburg, als ich das erste Mal mit der Metro fuhr. Im Reiseführer habe ich gelesen, dass die Metro zum Teil in 100 Meter Tiefe liegt, und dass auf der Rolltreppe rechts stehen, links gehen gilt. Ich war denn auch sehr gespannt, ob dies klappt, da es die Russen mit den Vorschriften nicht immer so streng nehmen. Doch tatsächlich! Obwohl sich vor der Rolltreppe eine Menschentraube anstaute, standen dann alle rechts. Fast alle lassen sich von der Rolltreppe auf der drei-minütigen Fahrt nach unten bringen.
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“Liden and Denz language school in St Petersburg, Russia, has become the first language school in the country to be accepted to join the European Association for Quality Language Services (Eaquals).”

“The school, which is already a member of the International Association of Language Centres (Ialc), plans to get its Moscow-based school inspected by Eaquals next year. Walter Denz at the school said that international inspection schemes such as Ialc and Eaquals are particularly important for schools in Russia. “In Russia we don’t have a national inspection scheme like, for instance, the British Council for the UK. It adds credibility to our quality claims and we need to convince agents that they can trust us. Any serious inspection has always a consultancy element in it. It is a very good idea that will help us to improve our services further.”

EAQUALS admits first Russian school – Language Travel Magazine