When a Man Sings a Lullaby In cultures where lullabies are usually sung by mothers, Sergey Kurenkov’s “Little Princess” sounds unique.It is not just a song — it is a document of tenderness, a father’s voice dedicated to his daughter. Kurenkov in the early 2000s was about 35 years old — not a youth, not […]

🌍 Choose your language Introduction Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world, and official exams like DELE (Diplomas de Español como Lengua Extranjera) and SIELE (Servicio Internacional de Evaluación de la Lengua Española) open doors to study, work, and career opportunities in Spanish-speaking countries. But these exams are not easy. They test […]

Read this article in other languages: «Здесь лапы у елей дрожат на весу…»“Here the fir branches tremble, hanging in the air…” The words remain the same. But listen closely — and it is already a different song.Because it is not the words that sing. It is the voice. Introduction Vladimir Vysotsky never “performed” songs. He […]

🌍 Choose your language Introduction Many learners know grammar and vocabulary but still struggle with one thing: speaking English with confidence. Fear of mistakes, hesitation, and lack of practice often hold students back. At Levitin Language School | Start Language School by Tymur Levitin, we believe that conversation practice is the key to fluency. With […]

The Translation Lab: How to Translate the German Passive (EN / UKR / RU / ES) “Translate meaning, not metal. Keep the passive when it helps. Replace it when it hurts.” — Tymur Levitin Choose your language 0) The paradox before we start: literal vs idiomatic Rule of thumb: preserve the effect (focus, agent suppression, […]

Author: Tymur Levitin© Tymur Levitin — founder and head teacher of Levitin Language School / Start Language School by Tymur LevitinCategory: Legal Language and Translation Introduction Prepositions are among the trickiest elements to translate, especially in legal, administrative, or official contexts. Expressions like “by September 10,” “from the day of the event,” “within 10 meters […]

The Academic Passive (Gelehrtenstil / Scientific Passive) “In academic writing, it matters less who does the work — what matters is that it is shown, proven, or discovered.” — Tymur Levitin Choose your language The paradox before we start: formality vs. readability In German academic writing, passive is the default: But: 👉 Paradox: In university […]

🗂️ Category: Online Language Learning 🗣️ Introduction You studied isn’t it, but suddenly you hear innit. You expect what are you doing?, but someone says wotcha doing?. British English is full of contractions and reductions that surprise learners just as much as the American gonna and wanna. But they are different, with their own culture, […]

🌍 Choose your language Introduction German exams such as Goethe-Zertifikat, TestDaF, and TELC open doors to universities, professional careers, and residency opportunities in German-speaking countries. But they are also challenging — requiring not only strong grammar and vocabulary, but also confidence in writing, listening, and speaking. At Levitin Language School | Start Language School by […]

Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, with over 500 million speakers across Latin America, Spain, and the United States. Learning Spanish online gives you the flexibility to connect with native speakers, access high-quality tutors, and study at your own pace — all without leaving your home. Online learning is […]