Russian – Русский язык
Why learn Russian?
Russian is one of the world’s most commonly spoken languages, and is the lingua franca for nearly all of the former Soviet Union. Around 180 million people speak Russian as a first or second language, across Russia, the Baltic countries, Central Asia and beyond.
Mastering the Russian alphabet will allow you to find your way around the sights in Red Square, or to catch the right train to Vladivostok.
Learn more to chat to the locals and build up to reading great writers such as Tolstoy, Bulgakov, Dostoevsky, Chekhov, Gogol, Pushkin, and many more, all in the original.
What are some key phrases?
|
Здравствуйте |
Hello |
‘Zdrast-voot-yeah’ |
|
Как дела? |
How are you? |
‘Kak dela’ |
|
Нормально, спасибо |
Fine, thank you |
‘Nar-mal-nah, spa-see-bah’ |
|
Как Вас зовут? |
What’s your name? |
‘Kak vas zah-voot’ |
|
Меня зовут |
My name is … |
‘Meen-yah zah-voot …’ |
|
До свидания |
Goodbye |
‘Dah svee-dan-yah’ |
Are there any words I might recognise?
- The word Tsar or Czar (Царь – emperor) comes directly from Russian.
- More recently, words like dacha (дача – country house/cottage) and banya (баня – sauna) have entered the English lexicon.
- You may also have tried Russian vodka (водка – meaning little water), but if you want to drink it Russian-style, you should take it neat, in one gulp, and follow up with ‘zakuski’ (закуски – appetisers, a bit like Russian tapas) such as pickled cabbage and smoked herring.
Get started today...
Our full timetable can be found on the registration page. Information on fees can be found on our payment and costs page.
We offer a range of levels for most languages from beginner to advanced. Our courses match the standard Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) levels - from A1 to C2.
- Beginner (A1) - A solid start to learning the language.
- Post-Beginner (A1+) - Gain in confidence with the basics.
- Improvers (A2) - Start to hold longer, routine conversations.
- Language and Culture (B1 to B2) - New topics each semester to develop to a higher level.
- Advanced (C1) - Use the language in more extended and complex situations.
As well as this language, we offer over 30 other languages. Can’t decide which language to learn? Try one of our free Intro Sessions where we’ll teach you the basics and you can decide if it’s for you. Learn how to join an intro session.
