Natalya Viktorovna Mikhailova
Founded Private Lessons, taught English and developed its educational methodology.
OUR APPROACH
What makes Private Lessons different?
Private Lessons is more than a stand-alone exam course. We have developed a structured pathway for learning English since our founding in 1996.
From first sounds to IELTS
Early reading and phonics, questions and answers, Elementary to Upper-Intermediate learning, and then focused exam preparation.
Original teaching materials
Our own reading and phonics book covering 44 English sounds, memory rhymes, word associations and a shared digital teaching library.
Progress assessment
A centrally organised annual assessment using common standards for learners across all seven in-person branches.
Learning in the UK
Educational summer trips to the United Kingdom have been part of our work since 2006.
01 / OUR STORY
The Private Lessons story: 1996–2026
Private Lessons began in Almaty in 1996 as a family English-language school. It was founded by Natalya Viktorovna Mikhailova, an English teacher and educational methodologist who taught children and developed the school’s teaching programme.
1996
Our first school on Popov Street
Natalya Mikhailova opened the first teaching centre at 15/1 Popov Street. She taught English herself and oversaw both the academic approach and the day-to-day work.
1997–2000
Growing in Koktem-1
In 1997, a second centre opened at Koktem-1, 50, working with students from School No. 21. Around 2000, the first centre moved to Koktem-1, 25, where it still operates. By 2000, the first branch had a team of eight teachers and later worked with Schools No. 138 and 51, RSFMSH and Prestige.
Later years
Markov Street branch
The second centre subsequently moved from Koktem-1, 50 to 30 Markov Street and continued operating there until 2026.
2007
Zhambyl Street and French courses
A new centre opened at 75 Zhambyl Street, working with Schools No. 25 and 120. French-language teaching began that year. A centre also opened at 149 Furmanov Street (later renamed Nazarbayev Avenue), later relocating to 137 Nazarbayev Avenue.
Later years
Nauryzbay Batyr Street
A centre at 148 Nauryzbay Batyr Street supported students from School No. 120 and operated until 2024.
2013–2014
Expanding across Almaty
The current Tchaikovsky Street, 15 branch opened in 2013; the 1st Microdistrict, 61/1 and 12th Microdistrict, 20V centres followed in 2014.
2015–2020
Gagarin Avenue
The school operated a branch at 309/1 Gagarin Avenue from 2015 to 2020.
2017
Orbita-1 and Er Tostyk
Two more locations began operating: Orbita-1, 18 and Er Tostyk Street, 17A. Both remain part of the school; instruction associated with Er Tostyk is mainly online.
Since 2020
Developing online learning
During the pandemic, the school introduced remote lessons. Our online programmes continue to connect learners in Kazakhstan and abroad.
2026
30 years of teaching
Today Private Lessons operates seven in-person branches in Almaty plus a predominantly online programme, connected by shared teaching standards.
02 / TEACHING PATHWAY
Our method: from first English sounds to IELTS
Our long-term learning pathway is designed to build skills progressively, starting at around ages five to six and continuing through secondary school and IELTS preparation.
STAGE 01
Ages 5–8: reading, phonics and first words
Early lessons draw on The National Curriculum in England as a methodological reference. Our school uses an original printed book for reading and the 44 English sounds. Rhymes, stories and associations support vocabulary learning. The programme aims for approximately 300–500 words in the first year, depending on the learner.
STAGE 02
Questions & Answers
Once early reading is established, children practise topic-based questions and answers, connected texts, word order, grammar structures, pronunciation and active vocabulary.
STAGE 03
Elementary to Upper-Intermediate
At Elementary, Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate and Upper-Intermediate levels, we use Oxford University Press and Cambridge University Press materials, enriched by our own questions, tasks and revision activities.
STAGE 04
Conversation practice
Our core-level programme includes regular conversation practice with an English native speaker to help learners apply what they study and build confidence.
STAGE 05
IELTS preparation
With a solid language foundation, students can concentrate on IELTS Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking strategies. IELTS preparation is an advanced stage of our longer learning pathway.
References to England’s national curriculum describe a teaching influence; they do not mean that Private Lessons holds UK government accreditation.
English-language theatre
For many years the school ran an English-language theatre. Children memorised roles, performed plays and developed their confidence in spoken English. The school retains a collection of costumes and performance materials.
03 / OUR COURSES
English is our focus. Other courses add support.
Our main specialism is structured English-language teaching for children and teenagers. Other programmes complement this core work.
English courses
Reading foundations, level-based programmes, conversation practice and IELTS.
French
An additional language taught by the school since 2007.
Kazakh
Language learning and school-related support.
After-school care
Help with homework, schoolwork and organising the learning day.
Online lessons
Distance learning and additional academic support for schoolchildren.
Course availability depends on the location and current timetable.
For families who communicate in English: our administrators can assist in English. Students entering English-medium lessons need enough basic English to follow classroom instructions. We assess every student before recommending a suitable group; communication and instruction in Chinese are not currently offered.
04 / QUALITY STANDARDS
How we monitor learning quality
All seven in-person branches follow the same teaching methodology. Each location has management and an administrator who communicates with families. Teachers receive centralised digital teaching resources.
Shared resources
A common digital teaching library keeps programmes consistent across branches.
Learning records
Where possible, the school records examples of learners’ work and progress on video.
Annual assessment
Learners from different branches take a centrally organised assessment under common requirements.
Recognising achievement
Students who pass the assessment can retain an existing tuition discount for the following academic year.
Centralised assessment helps us evaluate both student progress and the effectiveness of instruction at different branches.
Our founder and branch leadership
Private Lessons remains a family-run school. Natalya Viktorovna Mikhailova founded the school; Andrey Evgenievich Mikhailov and Yulia Evgenievna Kalendareva currently oversee its in-person branches.
Andrey Evgenievich Mikhailov
Oversees Koktem-1, 25; Zhambyl, 77; and the 12th Microdistrict, 20V.
Yulia Evgenievna Kalendareva
Oversees Nazarbayev, 137; 1st Microdistrict, 61/1; Tchaikovsky, 15; and Orbita-1, 18.
05 / OUR LOCATIONS
Private Lessons branches in Almaty
We have seven in-person learning centres in Almaty, with shared academic standards, plus a predominantly online programme based at Er Tostyk Street, 17A.
Online programme: Er Tostyk Street, 17A, Almaty. Online lessons are available to learners in Kazakhstan and abroad. This address is not presented as an additional walk-in teaching centre on maps.
The school has worked with various Almaty schools over the years, including Schools No. 21, 25, 51, 56, 90, 120 and 138, RSFMSH and Prestige. Specific arrangements and periods of cooperation have varied.
06 / INTERNATIONAL LEARNING
Educational trips to the United Kingdom since 2006
Since 2006, Private Lessons has organised summer study trips to the United Kingdom, particularly Oxford and Cambridge. Over the years, students have attended British language schools, including programmes connected with EC School.
Learners take intensive English courses, practise the language in everyday settings and receive certificates from their host programmes after completing their studies. Cultural visits and excursions complement the lessons.
Private Lessons teachers accompany the groups and observe how students apply their language skills outside the classroom. An additional staff member may support meal preparation during the trip.
Trips typically take place during the summer break, in keeping with our school-year timetable.
07 / OUR RESULTS
Progress, teaching continuity and learning outcomes
Our approach combines long-term teaching, original learning materials, a shared methodology, annual assessment and opportunities to practise English internationally.
IELTS results: According to certificates held by the school, students who completed the full learning pathway from an early age have commonly received IELTS Band 7.0–7.5, while students who joined later have more often achieved Band 6.0–6.5. These are observations from school records, not guaranteed results or audited school-wide averages.
Since 1996, Private Lessons has preserved the values of a family school while expanding into modern teaching formats and sustained language learning.
ANSWERS FOR FAMILIES
Frequently asked questions
Brief answers to common questions about our school, learning programmes and international activities.
When was Private Lessons founded?
Private Lessons was founded in Almaty in 1996 by Natalya Viktorovna Mikhailova and marked 30 years in 2026.
At what age can children start?
Our full programme starts at around five to six years old, beginning with reading, sounds, rhymes and basic words before progressing to structured questions and answers.
What makes the teaching method different?
We combine an original phonics and reading book, Questions & Answers, Oxford and Cambridge publications, conversation practice and centralised assessment.
Do you offer IELTS preparation?
Yes. IELTS preparation is the advanced stage of the programme. We also accept students who join at a later level, following a placement assessment.
What IELTS scores do students achieve?
School-held certificates indicate a commonly observed Band 7.0–7.5 range among some full-pathway learners, and Band 6.0–6.5 more often among later entrants. Outcomes vary and are not guaranteed.
How is student progress assessed?
Students from different branches participate in a centrally organised annual assessment based on shared standards.
Where are the branches?
Our seven teaching centres are in Koktem-1, Zhambyl Street, the 12th Microdistrict, Nazarbayev Avenue, the 1st Microdistrict, Tchaikovsky Street and Orbita-1. Contact details are above.
Do you arrange learning in the UK?
Yes. Since 2006, we have organised educational summer trips to Oxford, Cambridge and other UK learning settings.
Are online lessons available?
Yes. Our online programme serves learners from Kazakhstan and other countries.
Can families contact the school in English?
Yes. Administrators can communicate in English. English-medium classes require a basic working knowledge of English; all applicants take a placement assessment to determine suitability.