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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.

I’m extremely satisfied with my stay at Liden & Denz and teaching. My teacher is really great. Lessons were always well structured and clearly explained. Secretariat was always available and very helpful.

Hugo Dreyfus, Great Britain, One-to-one course, Moscow centre – 21.02-08.06.2011

The new centre has a fantastic location off Nevsky Prospekt between the Russian Museum, the Mikahilovsky Zamok (built by Pavel I, son of Catherine the Great), the circus and near two very nice parks. The area offers some of the finest examples of St.Petersburg architecture and is close to the Fontanka and Neva rivers. The closest metro station (Nevsky Prospekt/Gostiny Dvor) is a five minute walk away.

Our old centre on Transportny pereulok will continue its operation, but will mostly serve as overflow (for one-to-one courses only) for the busy summer period. Foreign language courses for the local population will be offered in both premises. Our executive centre will also move, so the premises on Sotsialisticheskaya will close soon.

As of 31 May, all courses will take place in our new location on Inzhernernaya ulitsa 6.

More news and pictures will follow shortly.

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