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Learning a new language is one of the best ways to open up new opportunities, and Russian is one of the most fascinating languages you can choose. If you're captivated by the rich history, diverse culture, and storied traditions of Russia, delving into the Russian language can provide you with a deeper connection to this enigmatic country.
Fortunately, with online learning, you can now access high-quality Russian lessons from the comfort of your own home. Whether you're a complete beginner or an advanced student, online Russian courses offer instructional materials that span interactive exercises like immersive audio lessons, quizzes, multimedia resources, and virtual language exchanges. Finding the right online platform for Russian lessons provides you with a dynamic and engaging learning environment perfect for your learning style.
Sunday, February 9th
Renowned as one of the most popular language-learning platforms out there to date, Rosetta Stone has an impressive program designed for fluency. With a user base spanning over 12,000 corporations, 9,000 organizations, and 22,000 educational institutions worldwide, Rosetta Stone is one of the largest platforms in our review.
Budget-friendly subscriptions
Originally distributed via expensive CD-ROMs, Rosetta Stone has now evolved into a more accessible online platform, offering budget-friendly subscriptions. On top of teaching various languages (including Russian), the company works to safeguard endangered languages and engage in collaborations with indigenous communities worldwide.
3-day free trial
Rosetta Stone's Russian program, like its other language courses, provides a 3-day trial period, so you can explore its features risk-free. You just need to provide your email address and indicate your proficiency level and reasons for learning Russian, and then you can get started with your first lesson. You'll start with three beginner lessons designed to be completed over the week. These lessons primarily focus on vocabulary and basic Russian language concepts. For example, essential words like hello, goodbye, girl, boy, man, and woman are introduced immediately, followed by simple phrases describing the boy or girl's actions. Photos are incorporated alongside the vocabulary. Unfortunately, there isn't any grammar included or focus on the Cyrillic alphabet right away, which is a small drawback.
Lots of neat study tools
Rosetta Stone has some unique features that help it stand out. First, it offers the TruVoice software, which integrates speech recognition technology to improve your Russian pronunciation skills as you advance through lessons. Rosetta Stone also offers an immersive learning atmosphere that mirrors the organic process of language acquisition, offering contextual exposure to Russian words and phrases. Finally, the Rosetta Stone mobile app incorporates a See & Speak tool, accessible on both iOS and Android devices, which transforms language learning into an interactive experience akin to a vocabulary scavenger hunt based on real-life surroundings.
Up to $399 for Russian lessons
Rosetta Stone offers three payment options for its Russian lessons. You can opt for a 3-month subscription, priced at $47.97 per quarter, giving you access to Russian lessons for that period. The 12-month subscription costs $167.88 for the whole year, providing access solely to Russian lessons. Alternatively, there's a lifetime subscription available for a one-time payment of $399, granting unlimited access to all 25 languages offered by Rosetta Stone. Sometimes Rosetta Stone offers promotional prices for the lifetime access subscription; however, at the time of our review they weren't running that promo.
Study as much (or as little) as you want
Rosetta Stone offers you the flexibility to choose your study time and frequency depending on your goals. For example, if you're starting as a beginner aiming to master Russian Basics, the program recommends committing to 30 minutes of daily study, five days a week, for about six weeks. If you prefer a more organized approach, Rosetta Stone assists you in crafting a customized plan to help you advance in Russian at your desired pace. The entire process is designed to be flexible and accommodating to your individual learning style.
30-day money-back guarantee
Rosetta Stone offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. Within the 30-day period, you can request a refund for any reason whatsoever and it will be granted. This peace of mind and flexibility for students shows Rosetta Stone's commitment to customer satisfaction and confidence in its language-learning program.
A popular choice for Russian
Rosetta Stone is highly regarded, standing out among companies in our evaluation with accreditation from the Better Business Bureau. Currently, Rosetta Stone maintains an impressive "A+” rating. The iOS and Android apps receive glowing reviews too with an average rating of 4.8 stars on the Apple store and 4.7 out of 5 on the Google Play store. Language experts and blogs rate the Russian program at 4.4 stars out of 5, and students highlight the speaking exercises as particularly beneficial, with pronunciation and reading practice being one of the standout features of the program.
Top pick for total package for Russian
For those in search of effective language learning methods, Rosetta Stone stands out as a leading choice. Its immersive approach replicates the natural process of language acquisition, covering speaking, reading, writing, and grammar so that students pick up language the way they did as children. Despite being comparable to our second-ranked option in many aspects, the overwhelmingly positive customer feedback for Rosetta Stone elevates it to the top spot in our review, garnering a 5-star rating for Russian lessons.
Rocket Languages was established back in 2004 by Jason Oxenham and Mark Ling. With over 2 million students, the program is highly beneficial for beginners venturing into Russian learning. Rocket Languages has been teaching Russian for over 21 years, and you'll find audio and cultural lessons throughout the program. The content specifically emphasizes pronunciation practice and the use of interactive flashcards. Rocket Languages stands out as one of the few resources that is designed to guide you all the way to fluency.
Check out multiple lessons for free
To start your Rocket Languages journey, you can preview the content by using a guest account with no requirement to register. From there, you gain access to a variety of lesson categories, including audio, language and culture, writing, and "survival kit" lessons. Each lesson has icons on the preview that indicate which learning activities are included, such as flashcards, listening exercises, speaking exercises, and quizzes. The website layout helps you navigate by level and module, although some lessons may remain locked until you attain a certain proficiency level in Russian. Each lesson provides a reading section interspersed with audio clips to help you understand key points. We checked out the lesson on the Russian alphabet, which gave pronunciations for each letter down the list.
Mix and match learning methods
Rocket Languages prioritizes a mix of audio-based and interactive learning methods. For instance, in the alphabet lesson, outside of the main lesson, you can practice what you learned with a blend of listening, speaking, drawing, and other interactive exercises. However, during our review, the drawing Cyrillic figures exercise didn't work. The lesson also included 33 flashcards and an equivalent number of speaking and listening exercises to reinforce your learning experience.
Pay for 1-3 levels of Russian
Rocket Languages offers a pricing structure that stands out compared to other companies in our review. You have the option of making a one-time purchase, which comes in three different tiers based on the number of Russian levels you wish to complete. For just level 1, the cost is $149.95. Opting for levels 1 and 2 will require a payment of $299.90 while acquiring all three levels amounts to $449.95. Alternatively, if you prefer not to pay upfront, you can select a 6-month payment plan, although this method results in a higher total cost over time. You can often take advantage of promotions if you want something more affordable. For example, at the time of our review, the Russian course had a 60% off deal.
Progress to advanced fluency
In levels 1, 2, and 3 of the Russian course, you'll advance from the basics to advanced material. With a total of over 400 hours of lessons, you'll have tons of knowledge to prepare you for speaking fluent Russian. Rocket Languages aims to equip you with conversational Russian skills, enabling you to engage in modern conversations effectively.
60-day refunds
Rocket Languages provides a generous refund policy, giving you 60 days to explore its premium Russian lessons before making a final decision. This timeframe goes beyond the trial period offered with a "guest" account. If within 60 days you find that Rocket Languages doesn't meet your needs, you're eligible for a full refund without any questions asked.
Students love the program
The feedback for the Rocket Languages Russian course is impressive. Students who have reviewed the Russian program have given it an impressive average rating of 4.7 stars out of 5. This positive trend extends to the mobile apps, with an average rating of 4.7 stars on the Google Play store and a competitive 4.4-star rating on the Apple store (although these ratings encompass the entire app rather than just the Russian course). Students praise Rocket Languages for its systematic approach to teaching Russian, with many of the reviewers highlighting the quality of the audio and mixed-model learning to approach Russian from different angles. Several students claim to have progressed faster using Rocket Languages than with any other method of learning Russian.
Russian lessons that cover all the bases
Taking into account the overwhelmingly favorable feedback for Rocket Languages' Russian lessons, it's clear that the company offers an impressive learning experience. With lessons designed for beginners up through advanced students, Rocket Languages emerges as one of the most thorough language learning platforms for Russian. These factors, plus impressive additions like multimodal learning and a 60-day return policy earn Rocket Languages an excellent rating and a high recommendation for Russian lessons.
Busuu was founded by students just like you. Bernhard Niesner and Adrian Hilti, the co-founders, weren't satisfied with conventional and costly methods of language learning. As their final project at IE Business School in Spain, they created Busuu, an innovative online language learning platform.
Russian learning since 2008
After completing school, the pair introduced Busuu to the market in 2008. The platform adopts the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), a recognized approach to structuring language lessons. One of the top benefits of this program is that Busuu extensively covers writing in the Cyrillic alphabet used in Russian and the completion of the CEFR levels A1-B2.
First step: sign up
To begin your learning journey at Busuu, click on the "get started" button, which initiates the sign-up process using either your email or social media account. However, accessing sample lessons or videos without immediate sign-up is challenging. You have to sign up first, or else, you're a bit stuck. Upon creating an account, you'll be asked your reasons for learning Russian, your desired study frequency, and your current level of proficiency.
One trial lesson after signing up
Following this, you'll be finally taken to your trial lesson. The lesson includes brief video clips featuring Russian speakers, photos with vocab, and quick quiz questions about the vocabulary. Notably, the trial lesson doesn't introduce any of the Cyrillic alphabet. Some of the words are spelled out for you, but most of the lesson is taught in the Latin alphabet. On the bright side, you can move on to a few more lessons for free, but you have to keep dodging questions about free trials for premium.
Quizzes are built to target your weak areas
Busuu offers an array of tools featuring both audio and visual lessons. Its intelligent vocabulary and grammar review tools help you start recognizing learned words in Russian and identifying areas requiring further assistance. Tailored quizzes are provided to increase word retention. Busuu concentrates on areas where you have difficulty or previously made mistakes in lessons. Plus, if you feel that you're more advanced than a certain section, you can click on the final quiz at the end of "test out” of the material.
Annual, biannual, and monthly memberships
While much of its program is available at no cost (for example, we went through the first 2 chapters entirely free), you can also sign up for a premium membership with Busuu. This offers you access to extra features like specialized courses, increased grammar review, and the flexibility to navigate lessons in any sequence. The free membership only allows you to do lessons in order before the next one unlocks (unless you test out using the end quiz). You can choose from three different payment plans. The annual plan costs $168 for the entire year, the six-month plan costs $84 billed biannually, and the monthly plan costs $14 per month.
Vocab and alphabet taught together
Busuu's Russian language courses adhere to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), which is the backbone of its curriculum. Following the CEFR model's six-tier structure, Busuu divides its program into progressive stages, ranging from beginner to intermediate fluency levels. The company's approach to language instruction emphasizes vocabulary acquisition which introduces Russian words gradually, one at a time. Each word is accompanied by a corresponding image to aid in visual retention. In chapters 2 and 3 of Russian, you'll begin working through the Cyrillic alphabet along with Russian vocabulary words, so you're starting to build both concepts simultaneously.
3 full weeks to try premium
Busuu provides a 14-day money-back guarantee, so if you want to try out the premium features, you can feel secure that you can get your money back. This 14-day period is on top of the 7 days free you get before signing up for your premium membership. In other words, you have 3 full weeks to test out Busuu's premium content.
Impressive reputation for teaching
Busuu has a solid reputation as a language learning site. External review platforms like Trustpilot rate it at an average of 4.5 stars. The mobile app shows even better scores for Busuu, with an average rating of 4.7 stars on both the Apple Store and the Google Play Store. Students praise Busuu for its intuitive interface and clear-cut lessons, which provide attainable learning goals and skills, even for complex languages like Russian and its unique writing system.
Best option for quick fun lessons that include some advanced material
Busuu stands out as an outstanding language-learning platform, acknowledged for its complete coverage of the Russian writing system in its lessons. While it would be beneficial if Busuu provided more sample lessons or training videos directly accessible on the website rather than asking you to sign up first, the free content you can access once signing up is extensive. That plus an impressive 3-week premium trial (if you count the return period) makes Busuu a highly competitive site for Russian lessons. Considering its affordability, lesson quality, and ability to reach intermediate-level Russian through this course, Busuu earns a solid rating.
The Pimsleur Method, a learning system created by Dr. Pimsleur, has been offered to students for nearly fifty years. With over 50 languages on the platform, you can explore tons of new linguistic opportunities. Known for its focus on auditory learning, Pimsleur has evolved from cassette tapes to an online subscription format. With a strong foundation in self-directed language learning, Pimsleur remains a top choice for students seeking a sound-focused system for learning Russian.
Get 1 lesson free
Getting started in Pimsleur just requires one click. Find the "free lesson” button on the Pimsleur homepage, and you'll be on your way to a free trial of their Russian program. Before you get access, though, you'll need to provide your details or log in via social media. Once on the site, you can preview the first lesson in Russian. And, you can preview multiple languages on Pimsleur, so even if you preview one it doesn't take away your free trial for another.
Audio-and speaking emphasis
According to our experience with the trial, Pimsleur organizes its lessons into various skills and tasks. The core component comprises listening to a 30-minute audio session, accompanied by exercises on the same page. These sessions primarily focus on recorded conversations in Russian, with guidance provided by an English speaker to aid comprehension. While the preview sessions lacked video content and mainly relied on text or static images, opting for the Premium version unlocks a "picture this" exercise to help with visualization. The trial lesson we used included greetings and a pronunciation guide where the English speaker broke down the Russian words backward into parts. This can be extremely helpful if you want to sound like a native speaker.
Listen and learn on the go
Pimsleur offers study for up to four individuals within a household. This means your entire family can work on their Russian together under one subscription. You can also access Pimsleur across multiple devices, and the program provides a Driving Mode feature, allowing you to practice Russian during your commute. While it doesn't incorporate gamification like some of today's popular Russian lessons, Pimsleur remains a dependable choice, especially for auditory learners.
Three pricing options
You have the option to select either monthly or annual payment plans with Pimsleur. These plans are divided into three categories: audio-only plans, Premium plans (which include visual tools), and All Access plans, granting access to all languages offered by Pimsleur. Here are the pricing details:
30-day money-back guarantee
Pimsleur demonstrates its trust in its teaching approach by providing you with a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you buy directly from Pimsleur and find that the lesson materials or teaching methods don't match how you prefer to learn for 30 days, you can cancel your membership. However, this refund policy may change for subscriptions with a 7-day free trial, so you may want to check the details with customer service before you start the trial.
Great option for difficult Russian vocab
In general, Pimsleur enjoys a positive reputation in the language-learning community. Various language learning blogs and Russian-focused review sites consistently rate Pimsleur at around 4.5 stars on average with some going up to 4.8 stars. Similarly, the Pimsleur mobile app receives high ratings on the Google Play store, with even higher ratings of 4.7 out of 5 on the Apple Store. Students commonly praise the effectiveness of the audio lessons, and for Russian in particular, students praise the focus on breaking down complex words and going over the pronunciation of different parts.
Best option for auditory students
Pimsleur is a dependable program for students who excel in auditory-based learning settings. Its Russian lessons are accessible on mobile devices, making it ideal for individuals with hectic schedules. While Pimsleur may lack the extensive features found with other platforms, experts and bloggers in language learning commend its effectiveness, especially with a language that has different sounds than English. As a result, Pimsleur receives a high rating, positioning itself as a leading choice for Russian students who favor audio-based learning.
Looking for a Russian tutor to support your language lessons? Need someone fluent to talk you through some of the more complex aspects of the Russian language? italki is a cost-effective platform designed to connect students with language tutors online. Unlike platforms offering pre-made lesson content, italki operates as a marketplace where students can connect with Russian tutors to assist them. The educators on italki are fluent speakers, often native to Russia, and offer a variety of tutoring topics as well as flexible availability.
Tutors offer different levels and lesson material
When you first start browsing italki, you can choose between "instant" lessons or scheduling one within the next 72 hours. To choose your tutor, you can preview them through an introduction video. For example, one highly recommended tutor, Alexandr introduces himself in Russian, and his lesson details are also totally in Russian, so he would be ideal for a more advanced student. However, a beginner student might prefer a teacher like Eveginya, who introduces herself in Russian and then explains her lesson style in English, and offers "general” Russian lessons as well as the use of flashcards, image files, documents, quizzes, and more. She outlines her generalized teaching plan and encourages students to reach out to her to learn more. On the other hand, unlike other sites where videos show a preview of the actual lesson content, these intro videos from teachers typically do not show any specific exercises or interactions with students, as these aspects are tailored by the tutor during your scheduled sessions.
Not a course on its own
With italki, sessions take place solely through video conferencing tools such as Skype or FaceTime, requiring you to schedule regular meetings with your tutor. This synchronous approach means there's slightly less flexibility compared to other programs that let you learn any time of the day. Since italki is a platform that connects students with skilled language tutors rather than offering direct educational services, it can be harder to find one tutor who will guide you from beginner all the way to complete fluency. There are some fairly impressive tutors out there, but ideally, italki will be used alongside your other Russian learning materials and courses.
Prices depend on individual tutors
At italki, the cost of Russian lessons varies based on your chosen tutor and the session's duration. Trial lessons typically range from $5 to $29 per hour, while full lessons can cost between $5 to $50. Session lengths vary from 30 to 90 minutes, and prices adjust accordingly depending on the session's length or topic. For example, one Russian tutor offers general tutoring for $13 per 30 minutes, $19.50 for 45 minutes, and $26 per hour. To help you pick out the right tutor, you can check student ratings for each one. Many of the Russian tutors we checked out had received a perfect 5-star average from their students.
Requires comfort with self-guided learning
italki functions as a tutoring service rather than a structured language-learning program, meaning there are no pre-established lesson plans or goals to achieve (unless you choose a tutor who offers them). Your progress will depend on the individual tutor you select, and you may need to use external lesson materials to organize your journey towards fluency. While certain tutors may offer specialized lessons such as "test prep" or specific levels of Russian like "Russian A1-B2", you'll have to actively search for these options on italki. This method is more self-guided compared to other platforms we've reviewed.
Pay with credits for refunds
The refund policy at italki is a little confusing. Based on our research, we discovered that to receive a refund from italki, you must first purchase "credits" through its platform rather than making direct payments with a card or alternative method. If you've utilized credits, you can have them reimbursed to your account. Now, you can pay directly with a credit card, but there isn't a distinct refund policy if you pay this way. Fortunately, there are no penalties for cancellation, regardless of whether it's initiated by you or your tutor. However, we encountered difficulty in finding detailed information about payment procedures, which may be a downside for many students.
Impressive ratings across the board
In general, the feedback for italki is overwhelmingly positive. Trustpilot rated italki with an impressive average score of 4.6 out of 5 stars. Students praise italki for its excellent roster of high-quality teachers as well as its affordability. Similarly, when examining the reviews for Russian tutors on italki's website, nearly the entire first page of tutors received flawless 5-star ratings from their students.
italki needs supplementals to teach a full course
italki is well-regarded for its top-notch tutoring services. However, it has one drawback that lowered the ratings for our review: it isn't a language course. Relying solely on italki for Russian language learning will usually require some kind of outside study to gain full fluency, potentially adding extra costs to your student budget. So, while italki is highly recommended for its tutoring quality, it receives a good rating in our review for actual Russian lessons.
If you haven't discovered Duolingo yet, you might be missing out on one of the most popular language platforms out there today. Duolingo has gained widespread popularity among students and educators, particularly on social media, largely due to its charming owl mascot and gamified learning style. Duolingo is renowned for making language learning more fun, and this includes Russian lessons as well as more than 40 other languages. It has emerged as a preferred option for many students who are just getting started because it's free and can help you dive into the fundamentals right away.
Jump right into the Cyrillic alphabet in lesson 1
Starting your Russian language journey with Duolingo begins with a completely free sign-up process, and you can preview a few lessons without even making an account. Duolingo will prompt you with some initial questions like what your learning objectives are, what level of proficiency you already have, and how much time you want to commit to learning. During our trial experience, we observed that Duolingo places a strong emphasis on the Cyrillic alphabet right away. Russian vocab is written in Cyrillic while the answers are written in English. If you're unsure about a particular Cyrillic word, you can click on it to get more detailed information about that word and its components. Even in lesson 1, Duolingo switched to using only Cyrillic words, so you'll be diving right into the Russian alphabet alongside your vocabulary. Your progress is monitored with a helpful bar at the top of the screen, gradually turning green as you answer questions correctly.
Don't lose heart(s)
Mistakes trigger quick review questions, and you lose hearts for errors. While you start with 5 hearts (so you can make 5 mistakes per lesson period), this can be challenging when learning brand-new material. If you lose all your hearts, you can't learn any more until they refill. According to Duolingo, "Each lesson practiced will restore one Heart. Typically, your next Heart will refill every 5 hours, so your total of five Hearts will restore within 25 hours. For those who still want to binge on Duolingo without taking a break or taking the time to review lessons, Hearts can also be refilled with Gems.”
Free or $6.99 per month
Duolingo offers a subscription service for $6.99 per month (when you pay for an annual subscription). You can get a 14-day trial to explore these features before committing, but remember that failing to cancel your premium membership post-trial will result in automatic charges. You can continue using Duolingo for free throughout your entire learning experience, so premium is optional. The difference is that the Super Duolingo subscription grants you unlimited replays (no worries about losing hearts) and access to additional practice tools for mastering challenging aspects of Russian. Recently, Duolingo introduced the Super Duolingo Family Plan, so if you want your entire household to join you on your premium membership, you can put them all on this one subscription. You'll pay about $120/year for a plan that includes 2-6 people (and, PS, they don't have to be family members to join you on your membership).
Outside sources necessary to complete your Russian studies
One limitation of Duolingo is that the path to fluency isn't as easy as with other platforms. Although Duolingo's gamified approach adds an element of enjoyment to learning, language experts often critique it for being excessively addictive, potentially diverting students from more efficient learning strategies. Further, we noticed a few drawbacks during our preview of the platform. First, while the lessons start using Cyrillic right away, these are full words and sentences, leaving you to intuit the letter sounds from context. If you want to learn the alphabet properly, you have to find a separate drill on Duolingo that isn't integrated into the general lesson path. On top of that, you may need to take notes and work on things like grammar outside of Duolingo as it doesn't specifically work on grammar beyond expecting you to figure it out by experience.
No refunds if you miss your trial deadline
One downside is that refunds are not offered for any purchases at Duolingo. So, if you miss the end of your 14-day free trial period, you could end up automatically subscribed to a relatively expensive premium membership. Some students have reported being charged for a full year rather than on a month-to-month basis after the free trial ends. Thus, despite the pricing being promoted as monthly on the website, failing to cancel in time could result in a charge of over $60 for a full year of Super Duolingo.
Students love it, but it has some low scores
Duolingo has received good and bad feedback for its language lessons. On one hand, the Better Business Bureau gives Duolingo an "F" grade, citing over 100 open complaints filed in the last three years. However, app store ratings on platforms like Google Play and the Apple Store paint a different picture. Duolingo currently holds a 4.7-star rating on both platforms and has even received the Editors Choice award on the Apple Store. As a third source of feedback, experts in language forums and blogs say that they don't favor Duolingo as a standalone language program, but rather as an extra study opportunity for students who are already learning a language in school or from another source.
Best used in conjunction with other lessons
In the end, Duolingo presents an enjoyable method for Russian language learning, though it probably won't offer full fluency by itself. According to some students, it's better suited for beginners to get started in a new language or to supplement another language program rather than being solely relied upon as your primary Russian lesson platform. Still, with its budget-friendly pricing and engaging interface, Duolingo maintains its popularity among students. Given its free access, you may want to download Duolingo as a supplementary tool alongside other language programs or coursework. For these reasons, Duolingo earns a decent rating.
Founded by three individuals who crossed paths during their studies in neuroscience and psychology at Oxford, Memrise was born out of the trio's mutual fascination with human learning and their collective ambition for more effective language learning methods. With Ed's focus on memory techniques, leading him to become a Grandmaster of Memory, Greg's pursuit of a neuroscience PhD at Princeton, and Ben's practical testing of language acquisition theories in Qiqihar, a city nestled on the Sino-Siberian border, Memrise uses insights from these different disciplines to improve the process of learning a second language, especially Russian.
Sign up before you try lessons
To begin learning Russian with Memrise, simply click on the "Start Learning" button, which directs you to a page where you can choose your native language and the language you wish to learn (in this case, Russian) from a list of options. You will be asked to create an account using your email or social media credentials to continue. This means there are no preview lessons before signing up, but you can access material for free once you do. Memrise will ask you what your level of fluency is in Russian (and asks if you want to skip learning the alphabet) before you get started.
Simple first lesson
Once you're done with that you can immediately view your first lesson. You start with a listening exercise that goes over the word "No” in Russian. The video has a man saying "nyet” in different tones and inflections to help students get the hang of listening to natural speech patterns. You'll also be given a speaking exercise before you're asked to pay.
Many locked lessons, but detailed instruction
If you decide to stay on a free membership at Memrise, your Russian lessons will be limited. The program is broken down into "scenarios” which follow different topics. About half of those scenarios remain locked if you're a free member. The first scenario covers the Cyrillic alphabet, and then two scenarios (More Letters and Mastering Cyrillic) are locked. Then, your next free lesson is The Basics 1. The lesson does include some helpful information when teaching you vocab. For example, phrases or words that sound different depending on the gender the term is directed at or on the gender of the speaker will list those differences in the answers. This helps keep some of the guesswork out of why the word "Russian” is said differently in two similar examples.
Membership costs up to $249.99
If you decide to upgrade to premium, you can easily accelerate your progress by accessing the locked lessons, videos featuring native speakers, and chances for conversation practice. While the free version grants access to about half of the material, you'll encounter frequent advertisements during your learning sessions. Premium membership pricing varies, with options including $22.99 per month, $107.74 per year, or a lifetime membership priced at $124.99, subject to promotional offers available at the time. For instance, without a promotion, the lifetime membership can cost as much as $249.99.
May be too focused on vocab
Memrise utilizes the Spaced Repetition System (SRS), a tool designed to monitor your memory of specific words and phrases. Through this system, Memrise schedules review sessions based on your performance, prioritizing the lessons or words you find challenging. While Memrise effectively implements this system for Russian language learning, it doesn't address a key challenge in achieving fluency: Memrise's emphasis on vocabulary. Despite the importance of vocabulary, Russian language speakers and experts argue that Memrise's concentration on memorizing keywords and phrases alone may not lead to true fluency in the language, though it can help students looking to travel abroad and communicate in general terms.
30-day refund mentioned, but not guaranteed
To qualify for a refund, you'll need to reach out to Memrise within 30 days of beginning your subscription. Although Memrise doesn't explicitly promise a refund, they state that they will consider it if you contact them within this period. However, after the initial 30 days, the service becomes prepaid and non-refundable, regardless of the situation.
Mixed reviews raise red flags
Opinions on Memrise vary among students. For example, Trustpilot ratings paint a disappointing picture with an average of 2.2 stars. Students mention concerns such as locked lessons in the free membership, and a recent update that discontinued user-generated content on Memrise. On the other hand, ratings on mobile app platforms like the Apple Store and Google Play Store are much higher, averaging 4.8 and 4.5 stars, respectively. Feedback at these stores often focuses on the quality of language videos and the immersive learning provided, though most of the favorable reviews are related to Premium features.
Worth looking at for its lifetime license
At the end of the day, most students prefer something reliable. Memrise has too mixed a reputation to fall into that category. Even though it provides a lifetime access choice, Memrise has some drawbacks like an unclear refund policy and a more narrow focus on vocabulary or phrases you can learn quickly. For these reasons, it earns a moderate rating. However, it may still be worth it to investigate Memrise's lifetime membership option for Russian lessons if you prefer a course that doesn't require monthly payments.
Mondly, headquartered in Romania, is an enjoyable and easy-to-use language learning platform that has earned recognition from Forbes, CNN, and Bloomberg. Families aiming to learn Russian together can benefit from Mondly's dedicated app for kids, as well as using the general Mondly app for adults. The basic version of Mondly offers a competitive range of free content, and upgraded features are accessible through a separate subscription. Mondly's lesson format looks like a map, helping you move from topic to topic in guided lessons. You can pick and choose too, if you prefer to jump around.
Begin with the basics
Navigating Russian lessons on Mondly is straightforward. Simply select your starting language and indicate your proficiency level in Russian, and you can begin learning without any requirement to make an account. During the free trial period, you gain access to the first six lessons, a vocabulary section, a Chatbot conversation, and bonus lessons offered on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.
Lesson 1 focused on vocab
We also tried the first lesson for you, to give you an idea of the in-lesson process. Lesson one is focused on family relationships, jumping right into vocabulary words. The lesson begins by teaching you the Latin alphabet with Russian spelling. However, if you want to change this, you can switch to the Cyrillic alphabet with a toggle in the top right corner. Completing the lesson solely in Cyrillic without resorting to the Latin alphabet can be challenging if you're asked for new vocabulary you've never learned before, but the photos do help with context building. At the end of the lesson, Mondly lists all of the terms you just learned to help you track your progress.
Start from any language
Mondly has a unique feature that sets it apart. Unlike many other platforms that assume English is the starting language, Mondly is designed to guide students starting from various languages. This inclusive approach is particularly beneficial if you're beginning to learn Russian from backgrounds such as Spanish, Dutch, Italian, Polish, or others. You can, of course, start with English if that's your first language.
Subscribe to one language or all 33
Although Mondly offers a free membership option, it does have its limitations. With the free version, you can access Daily Lessons, the entire Hello lesson category, and a single chatbot lesson. However, to unlock more content, you'll need to subscribe. To get a glimpse of the premium features, Mondly offers a 7-day free trial. If you opt for a subscription, you'll be able to choose from two main plan types: The Mondly premium plan is priced at $9.99 per month or $47.99 per year with a 12-month subscription. Alternatively, there's an annual plan that grants access to 33 languages. During our assessment, this package was available at a discounted price of $47.99, the same as the regular annual membership. Outside of the promotional period, it can cost up to $479.99.
Three lesson types to choose from
Currently, Mondly offers minimal direct grammar instruction. Through our testing, we found that the platform emphasizes teaching through sentences and phrases, gradually integrating grammar nuances without explicitly pointing them out in the lesson content. While this approach may not suit everyone, particularly those who prefer structured lessons with clear grammar explanations, Mondly combines visuals, listening exercises, and written words. You can choose from three lesson types (a standard lesson, a conversation, and vocabulary study), giving you unique ways to explore Russian without getting bored.
Limited refunds
Mondly's refund policy, sadly, is pretty disappointing. As it stands, refunds are only granted under specific circumstances, such as if Mondly violates the terms of the agreement. Essentially, Mondly must be responsible for the issue for you to qualify for a refund. If Mondly is found at fault and you've already paid for upcoming services, Mondly will reimburse you for the unused portion of your subscription starting from the cancellation date. While this might not be a major concern for monthly subscribers, it could be frustrating for those who prepaid for a year.
Mixed reviews and confusion on course direction
According to student feedback, Mondly has a positive reputation, although there are concerns regarding its refund policy. Reviews on the Apple Store and Google Play store both indicate high average ratings, with students offering Mondly praise for its effectiveness for authentic speech and conversational language. However, there are mixed reviews on third-party platforms like Trustpilot, where Mondly holds a more moderate rating of 3.3 stars out of 5. Some students expressed difficulties in following lessons, noting that Mondly lacks some focus on teaching clear pronunciation. Although these reviews did not specify particular languages, we agree with the reviews based on our preview of the Russian lessons.
Mid-tier with decent prices
Mondly is an affordable option for Russian language learning. As with any language learning platform, not all approaches suit everyone's needs. While Mondly's approach and regularly updated lessons make it a popular choice for various languages, its effectiveness in teaching Russian is about mid-tier. The ability to change between the Latin and Cyrillic alphabets can help students explore the language nuances and pronunciation at their own pace. However, the lack of specific grammar instruction is a drawback. Adding on concerns about Mondly's refund policy and long-term proficiency places Mondly at a "just average” rating in our review.
Innovative Language Learning, also known as "Pod 101,” offers a platform hosting 40 language courses, including Russian. Since its inception in 2005, "Pod 101" lessons have helped students gain exposure to native speakers, using various voices, tones, and speech patterns to promote proficiency. Russian Pod 101 primarily features audio lessons suitable for beginners to advanced students, providing a range of Russian vocabulary and concepts. A standout feature is the platform's regular updates, offering fresh content each week to keep pace with modern learning techniques and topics.
The only previews are on Facebook
When exploring Russian Pod 101, you may feel frustrated by the lack of previews directly on the website. Our research showed that previews and informational videos are available on external platforms like Facebook. However, since Russian Pod 101 doesn't have any links to direct to these external sources, you may need to conduct your own research beforehand to make an informed decision about signing up for the service.
Primarily an audio course
Once we did our outside research, we found that Russian Pod 101 organizes its lessons into podcast episodes. These sessions follow a structured format like a textbook with scripted dialogues, vocabulary, grammar explanations, and other elements, rather than focusing solely on informal conversation. Typically, each lesson lasts for about 15-20 minutes and maintains a consistent structure throughout. However, despite its marketing claims, Russian Pod 101 is better if you use it as an audio complement to an existing study regimen rather than a standalone learning solution. We found that topics are not consistently progressive but are revisited across episodes or playlists, which can be confusing.
Costs up to $23 per month
There are four membership options available, spanning from free to Premium Plus. The free membership entails a 7-day trial of premium features, access to the Survival Phrases Course, 3-5 new audio and video lessons weekly, and a trial of the first three lessons in each pathway. You have the choice to continue with the free membership indefinitely; the trial just offers you 7-day access to premium features. Should you opt to upgrade, there are three pricing plans to consider.
The prices for Premium and Premium PLUS do offer promotions from time to time, so keep an eye out for sales up to 40% off.
Interface isn't optimized
Navigating through Russian Pod 101 can be a struggle for some students. The platform organizes its content into various "paths" based on topics rather than skill levels, but the overall navigation isn't particularly intuitive. While it offers a range of lesson levels, there are instances of lesson overlap, where you might encounter the same content more than once, potentially causing frustration for those seeking consistent learning and fluency progression. Further, Russian Pod 101 doesn't offer engaging elements like games or leaderboards for tracking advancement.
60-days to decide
Russian Pod 101 offers a 60-day refund policy for its subscription, allowing you plenty of time to test out its advanced features, such as teacher feedback, and decide if the learning method fits your needs. This refund policy is consistent across all language programs offered by Innovative Language Learning, so you receive the same 60-day guarantee if you're using another "Pod 101" language course.
May be better for beginners
According to student feedback on Apple, where Russian Pod 101's audio podcasts are available, the company received an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars. Reviews emphasized the podcasts as an excellent starting point for absolute beginners. However, unlike some of the other "Pod 101” courses, Russian Pod 101 isn't reviewed on third-party sites like Trustpilot., though the parent company of Russian Pod 101 holds an "A” rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Good overall, but needs some UI updates
Russian Pod 101 offers an authentic Russian language experience through podcast-style exercises, making it a reliable option for those seeking audio lessons. Though it does lack certain features found on other platforms, its focus on contemporary language usage can be beneficial for beginner Russian students. However, some students have expressed difficulties with the user interface, both on the website and the app. Considering these drawbacks, Russian Pod 101 receives a solid rating in our assessment.
Babbel is a well-known language-learning platform that garners attention through its frequent radio and TV advertisements. Whether accessed through the Babbel app, Babbel Live online classes, Babbel podcasts, or Babbel for Business, the company claims to act as a personal language coach, guiding students towards engaging in real-life conversations in their target language (though, after seeing the details, we're a little skeptical on this). Backed by a team of over 650 certified language teachers and linguistics experts, the company was recognized as the "Most Innovative Language Learning Company" by Fast Company in 2023.
Takes time to find the free trial
Babbel provides a full-length lesson for free, although it can be a bit tricky to find. You can access it either through the "About Us" page's demo button or by selecting Russian from the dropdown menu on the Babbel homepage. Before you start the lesson, Babbel will give you a quiz on your reasons for learning Russian, your proficiency level, your preferred learning styles, how fluent you want to be, and your demographic information. At the end of the quiz, you'll have to create an account to reach the free lesson.
First lesson involves listening exercises and multiple choice questions
The initial Babbel lesson introduces basic Russian words written in Cyrillic script, gradually familiarizing you with the Cyrillic alphabet. By the end of the lesson, you'll have grasped essential vocabulary like "yes," "no," "who," and "there” as well as be able to recognize which letters in Cyrillic are the same in the Latin alphabet and which ones are different. The lesson combines multiple choice and listening exercises throughout.
Content focuses on beginner material
Babbel's Russian courses are primarily designed for beginners, featuring 15 lessons in the Newcomer Course 1 series and the beginner A2 course offers 2 separate sections. The first has 16 lessons and the second section also has 16 lessons included. Across Babbel, you can find a total of 47 total lessons. However, in comparison to other languages offered on Babbel, the Russian curriculum places greater emphasis on introductory content. You won't find anything above the beginner level A2 (as of the time of our review).
Five pricing options
Subscription costs for Babbel vary depending on the duration you choose. There are four standard durations (one month, three months, six months, and one year) and one lifetime option to choose from. Here's how the prices shake out:
Progression is limited to beginner-level
Babbel's lesson format is designed to keep you engaged with short and varied sessions. It offers a balanced approach to learning, focusing on both understanding and speaking skills. Plus, its flexible review sessions aid in retaining information. On the downside, verbal practice drills may seem simplistic, making them less suitable for visual learners, and since Babbel doesn't advance beyond beginner levels, those looking for fluency in Russian may be disappointed.
20-day refund policy
Babbel provides a 20-day refund policy for dissatisfied students. However, compared to some other companies in our review, this timeframe is relatively short. You also don't receive any reminders about this window, and some students have expressed frustration over missed renewal reminders and unexpected charges.
Babbel misses the mark
Babbel has some extremely mixed reviews: its reputation is all over the place. Starting with the bad news, Babbel holds a dismal "F” rating from the Better Business Bureau raising some serious red flags. On top of that, language specialists and bloggers say that Babbel is only about "average” with a score of 3.4 stars across different platforms. Now, for the good news, Babbel does do well on the mobile app stores. On the Apple store, it has a 4.7-star average out of 5, and on the Google Play store, you'll see a 4.6. However, the overall consensus is that some students find the Russian lessons less intuitive compared to other languages offered on the platform, and the limitation to beginner-level work is a major drawback.
Too limited to be a top competitor
Considering the lower-than-average scores for Babbel as well as the limitation to beginner-level Russian, this service falls behind its competitors. While it is nice that Babbel offers a free lesson and reasonable pricing, it's not a top pick (especially if you hope to be fluent). Considering the reasonable prices against the lack of total value, Babbel earns a lower than average rating in our review.
Lingualift, which began operations over six years ago, provides Russian lessons designed by scholars from esteemed institutions like Oxford, Stanford, and Harvard University. The research of these scholars aimed to support teaching techniques, structure, and illustrative materials to boost student involvement and memory retention. Despite its strengths, Lingualift is distinctive for offering the fewest language options among the programs we've reviewed. Apart from Russian, Lingualift only offers Spanish, Japanese, and French courses.
Easy to signup
You can easily sign up and dive into your first lesson on Lingualift. Simply register with your email or through social media and begin your language learning journey for free. You have the option to either take a placement test or start your initial lesson. During the free trial/preview, you'll be given access to the first four lessons in each level.
Dense material from day 1
At level 1, the four beginner lessons focus on Russian culture, offering insights into various aspects such as capsule hotels and customary greetings. Typically, the first lesson involves reading lengthy passages before engaging in listening exercises that reinforce the cultural topics covered earlier. In the first Russian lesson, you'll have clickable links that redirect you to PDF files. The first one is 120+ pages long. Following the written portion, you may encounter a quiz prompting you to complete sentences in Cyrillic. Overall, the effect is something extremely dense and overwhelming.
Lingualift misses the mark with learning tools
Lingualift's style is primarily written content and quizzes. If you subscribe, you can get instructor assistance with feedback on your assignments. However, Lingualift is missing many common practice opportunities like speaking exercises, speech recognition, or recording features. This drawback (and the dense writing-heavy lessons) contribute to Lingualift being rated lower compared to other Russian lessons we reviewed.
Four payment plans
At Lingualift, you have the option to select from four payment intervals: monthly, quarterly, bi-annual, and annual. To complete the course you do need to subscribe to premium or else your lessons will be locked to the first four courses per level. The premium features include 500 more hours of lesson content and the opportunity to engage with Russian tutors. Here's what you can expect for pricing:
Limited progression if you don't pay
The Russian curriculum at Lingualift comprises six levels with access to the first four lessons in each level for free. If you subscribe, each level offers 25-26 total lessons, meaning around 150 total lessons. However, if you don't subscribe, you're left with just 24 lessons, and you'll miss the planned progression through the levels before moving on.
30-day refunds
Lingualift provides a 30-day refund policy. This policy allows you to cancel your Lingualift membership and receive a refund, no questions asked, within the first 30 days of activating your premium membership. Since students might be initially put off by the dense PDF material in the first few lessons, this longer trial period gives you a chance to explore more of the Lingualift process before you decide.
Reviews show some red flags
Lingualift receives one of the lowest ratings in our assessment. Based on reviews from mobile app stores, Lingualift has an average rating of 1.8 stars out of 5. Similarly, third-party review platforms like Trustpilot show an average rating of just 2.8 stars. Feedback from both students and language experts shows that Lingualift is not a worthwhile investment of time or money. Some students experienced issues accessing lessons despite paying for a membership and other complaints included trouble with contacting customer support.
Lingualift doesn't come with high recommendations
Lingualift's Russian lessons leave us scratching our heads. Given the poor ratings and negative feedback regarding access to paid content, you may want to use caution when considering Lingualift. With dense, writing-heavy lessons, and extremely poor reviews, it may be better to check out the higher-rated alternatives listed in our review. For this reason, Lingualift earns a low rating for its Russian language instruction.
Whether you dream of strolling through the historic streets of Moscow, marveling at the majestic beauty of St. Petersburg's palaces, or immersing yourself in the timeless poetry and literature of Pushkin and Dostoyevsky in their original language, learning Russian can be an incredibly rewarding experience.
Russia has a cultural heritage that spans centuries, blending influences from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East into a unique tapestry of art, music, literature, and cuisine. From the grandeur of the Hermitage Museum to the soul-stirring melodies of Tchaikovsky's ballets, Russian culture offers a wealth of experiences waiting to be explored. By mastering the Russian language, you gain access to a world of literary masterpieces, philosophical insights, and artistic achievements that have shaped the course of human history.
In our interconnected world, proficiency in Russian can open doors to a wide range of personal and professional opportunities. As one of the world's largest economies and a key player in global politics, Russia offers abundant opportunities for business, travel, and cultural exchange. Whether you aspire to work for a multinational corporation, pursue academic research in collaboration with Russian scholars, or embark on a journey of self-discovery through travel and exploration, fluency in Russian can enrich your life in countless ways.
If you're not sure where to begin, don't worry. We've put together some factors to help you narrow down the best site for Russian lessons for your language goals.
Here's what you might like to keep in mind as you browse the various Russian language learning options:
To support your Russian dreams, Top Consumer Reviews has reviewed and ranked the top online options for Russian language education out there today. Our goal is to help students like you achieve your desired level of fluency, cultural understanding, and personal enrichment through this beautiful language. Whether your goal is to explore Russia's rich cultural heritage, increase your career prospects, or forge meaningful connections with Russian speakers around the world, we're here to support you on your journey!
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