Some people come to teaching through university. Others — through music.
This is the story of Nicky Rubin, a British singer-songwriter who now leads the SARGOI International Speaking Club — an online space where English sounds alive, authentic, and full of emotion.
From the Stage to the Classroom
Nicky Rubin came to Ukraine as an artist and entrepreneur — to form a band, write music, and build creative projects. Teaching English wasn’t part of his plan.
But just like in music, life loves improvisation.
By chance, he joined a major Kyiv language school called Speak Up, where he tried teaching English for the first time — and unexpectedly discovered a natural gift for it.
At the same time, Nicky became Kyiv’s top native English voice-over artist, recording for commercials, films, and Ukrainian brands. And yet, what truly inspired him was the human connection — helping people find their voice in another language.
One day, through a mutual friend, Nicky met Anastasiya Rybak, the founder of SARGOI International Community.
I kept inviting him to join SARGOI, — Anastasiya remembers. He always said he didn’t have time, but I knew that this beautiful voice belonged in our classrooms.
That winter evening, with Kyiv frozen at –27°C, he arrived at a small white-fenced schoolhouse. And when Anastasiya opened the door with a smile, he instantly knew he couldn’t say no.
There was just one condition:
“No kids.”
As a trained lawyer, he thought teaching children meant simplifying language.
“Fine, no kids,” — Anastasiya agreed.
Until one Saturday morning, she asked him to cover a kids’ class. Just once.
I was shocked, — Nicky recalls. These kids spoke better English than the adults! I walked out of that class and said: Kids — I’m in.
From that day on, he taught children every Saturday for several years. His lessons were lively, noisy, full of laughter — English through play, movement, and music.
Controlled mayhem, he jokes. But it worked!
English That Sounds Like Music
These kids were light, he says. They showed me that teaching isn’t about grammar — it’s about rhythm, energy, and life.
That’s how Nicky Rubin became part of the SARGOI International family. Today he leads the SARGOI Speaking Club Online, helping teenagers and adults learn English with a native speaker in an inspiring, natural way.
His song Vesuvius, written after visiting Naples, became a symbol of inner fire —the same passion he now brings into every class.
Mistakes are your best friend, Nicky says. Keep making them — and join us at SARGOI International.
SARGOI Speaking Club with Nicky Rubin
Online format — English with a native speaker
Topics: music, culture, travel, real-life English
Levels: B1–C1
Organizer: SARGOI International School of English
