Best Russian Language Learning Resources

Best Russian Language Learning Resources

Here are my most highly recommended resources for learning the Russian language.

I frequently refer to them in many of the articles I write on this site because I know they’re fantastic and they’ve been crucial to my own learning.

Full transparency:

From time to time I use affiliate links for paid products on this site which means I get a small commission for referrals. It doesn’t affect the price of anything but doing so has helped me continue to maintain and improve this site over the last 10+ years as a helpful resource for language learners.

Best online Russian audio course

Rocket Russian

This is one of my favorite online courses which has some of the highest quality Russian dialogue material available.

Rocket Russian doesn’t follow a ‘cookie cutter’ approach like other well-known programs such as Rosetta Stone or Pimsleur, and it has a tonne of excellent audio content for all levels ranging from beginner to advanced.

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Rocket Russian
Visit Rocket Russian

Russian Uncovered

An extremely well-made and very unique Russian course aimed at teaching Russian through a unique “story learning method”.

If you’re looking for a full Russian curriculum that leads you all the way through to fluency, and are facing difficulties getting your head around how Russian works, this will definitely help you.

Russian Uncovered
Visit Russian Uncovered

Learn Russian with podcasts

RussianPod101

This is an excellent Russian course in the form of audio podcasts and downloadable lessons.

As well as podcast-style lessons, you’ll find videos, a vocabulary database and dictionary, grammar explanations and various other useful features.

UNIQUE OFFER:

Use code MEZZOGUILD for 25% off any of their course options.

RussianPod101
Visit RussianPod101

Learn to speak Russian with music

Rapid Russian

This is the most unique and effective Russian phrasebook alternative I’ve ever seen and one I frequently recommend on this site.

Based on solid research into memory and ‘stuck song syndrome’, Rapid Russian teaches you the language over the top of highly repetitive tunes that cause the phrases to ‘get stuck’ in your head.

It’s surprisingly effective and is so enjoyable that it doesn’t feel like study at all (read my Earworms review for more info).

Rapid Russian
Visit Rapid Russian

Russian fluency courses and guides

Glossika Russian

This is another very unique product that improves your fluency through a highly repetitive ‘listen and repeat’ approach.

It is, in my opinion, one of the the most useful resources I’ve seen for training Russian listening comprehension. Definitely not a conventional course but you’ll be amazed at how effective it is at improving your Russian fluency if you use it daily (read my Glossika review).

Glossika Russian
Visit Glossika

Inexpensive Russian lessons via Skype

italki

Not too long ago it was really difficult or impossible to practice Russian without actually traveling to Russia.

Thankfully, tools like italki have made it possible to connect with native speakers from all over the world to practice or to take personalized lessons over Skype (read my italki review).

The great news is, Russian lessons over Skype through italki are incredibly cheap compared to most teachers in person (many are as low as $6-8 an hour depending on what language you’re learning!). All the frustration of payments and scheduling is handled brilliantly by italki too which makes it very easy and stress free to arrange sessions.

italki
Visit italki

Learn Russian through online video

LingoPie

LingoPie is an outstanding library of high quality, interactive TV shows in 6 major European languages, including Russian.

If you enjoy learning from your favorite sitcoms and other genres, this is your best option.

LingoPie
Visit LingoPie

FluentU Russian

This is a fantastic tool for studying Russian using subtitled video (check out my FluentU review).

It’s very similar to Yabla (not available for Russian) but has a wider array of video content to choose from.

FluentU Russian
Visit FluentU

Other free tools and resources to help your Russian

Memrise: This is an outstanding online vocabulary training tool that lets you select Russian ‘courses’ to study (or create one yourself). Many of the courses also include audio.

AnkiSRS: A highly versatile flashcard app.

3ears: An amazing free (for now) video tool for watching Russian videos.

Forvo: If there’s ever a Russian word or expression that you’ve seen written but don’t know how to pronounce, you can search for it here (or request it) and hear a native speaker pronounce it for you.

Duolingo Russian: Duolingo is a fun, free and effective way to study Russian grammar.

Check out these relevant posts and Russian resources:

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