By: Alva Ree
When Anastasiia Manita moved to the United States in 2021, she quickly realized the profound importance of language in helping people transition to a new life. As a passionate English teacher, she decided to dedicate her talents to assisting fellow Ukrainians navigating the challenges of adapting to a new country. Since then, Anastasiia and her team of devoted educators have helped over hundreds of Ukrainians improve their English skills, with the hope of transforming their fear of speaking into a powerful tool that opens doors to new opportunities.
The Birth of a Mission
“We started small, with the goal of helping Ukrainians not only learn English but also feel comfortable and confident,” says Anastasiia. While her team doesn’t have an official name yet, their mission is crystal clear: to help Ukrainians thrive in English-speaking countries. By providing the tools and support needed to break language barriers, Anastasiia’s team is empowering people to take charge of their futures.
“English is more than just a language. It’s the key that unlocks opportunities, career growth, and integration into new communities,” Anastasiia explains.
A Passion for Teaching
Every member of Anastasiia’s team shares this passion for helping others. “Teaching isn’t just a job for us; it’s who we are,” she says. The team is made up of dedicated teachers who are in love with their profession, and they take immense pride in their students’ success. Their focus is on providing personalized attention to each student, understanding that everyone’s learning journey is unique.
Achievements and Growing Success
Since its inception, the team has seen incredible success. To date, they’ve helped hundreds of Ukrainians improve their English skills—an achievement that has sparked gratitude and joy from students. Many have shared stories of how mastering the language allowed them to achieve their dreams and settle comfortably into life in the United States.
“We read heartwarming messages from students who’ve found new jobs, enrolled in universities, or simply feel at home in their new environment thanks to their English skills,” Anastasiia says proudly.
Challenges Along the Way
Despite the successes, the journey hasn’t always been smooth. One of the biggest challenges, according to Anastasiia, was encouraging students to be patient with themselves. “It was difficult at first to help our students understand that learning a language takes time. There’s no need to rush or push yourself too hard—you only end up feeling frustrated,” she reflects. This lesson has been instrumental in her teaching methodology: slow and steady progress is key.
Looking Ahead
The future looks bright for Anastasiia and her team. With more students enrolling and the team continuing to grow, they are committed to further improving their teaching methods to ensure every student receives guidance.
“There’s no finish line when it comes to teaching,” Anastasiia says. “We’re constantly learning, refining our methods, and finding new ways to help our students succeed.”
Words of Wisdom
Anastasiia offers a final piece of advice for anyone on the journey of learning a new language: “Be kind to yourself. It’s okay to move at your own pace. Be grateful for any progress you’ve made. Learning a language is a marathon, not a sprint, so give yourself the time you need.”
For more insights into Anastasiia’s work, the experiences of her students, and life in New York, you can follow her journey on Instagram.
Published by: Martin De Juan
