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Learn Russian from Scratch: "I Speak Russian" Course by Tomsk State University

Can you survive in Russia with just "Privet" and "Spasibo"? Let's find out!

Russian is often considered one of the most challenging languages to learn, with its complex grammar, unfamiliar alphabet, and seemingly endless verb forms. But don’t let that intimidate you! With the right approach and structured learning, mastering the basics can be both fun and effective.

For those who want to start learning Russian from scratch, Tomsk State University (TSU) offers an excellent online course, "I Speak Russian", designed to make the learning process engaging, structured, and stress-free.

What is this course about?

"I Speak Russian" is a 36-hour online course for absolute beginners, created by TSU – one of Russia’s leading universities in language education. The course is hosted on the Stepik platform, which provides an interactive and user-friendly learning experience.

Course highlights:
  • 25 structured lessons.
  • 2 hours and 3 minutes of engaging video lectures.
  • 89 interactive tests to reinforce learning.
  • Practical exercises to apply new knowledge in real-life situations.
  • A final test with official certification upon completion.

This course is ideal for students, professionals, travelers, or anyone interested in learning Russian for personal or professional reasons.

Course Structure: What Will You Learn?

The course is divided into 5 key modules, gradually building your skills from zero to A1 level:

📌 Module 1: Welcome to Russian

  • Basic greetings and useful phrases.
  • The Russian alphabet and pronunciation guide.
  • Numbers and everyday expressions.

📌 Module 2: You Are in Russia

  • How to introduce yourself and ask for introductions.
  • Talking about professions, family, and surroundings.
  • Role-playing exercises for real-life practice.

📌 Module 3: Daily Life and Routines

  • Expressing likes and dislikes.
  • Talking about schedules, routines, and directions.
  • Shopping and food-related vocabulary.

📌 Module 4: Descriptions and Events

  • How to describe people, places, and events.
  • Making plans for the week and discussing future activities.
  • Understanding verbs of motion – one of the trickiest parts of Russian grammar!

📌 Module 5: Practical Application

  • How to order food and use the instrumental case correctly.
  • The difference between perfective and imperfective verbs.
  • A final capstone project: writing or presenting a short dialogue.

At the end of the course, students take a final test to earn one of two certificates:

🏅 Certificate of Completion – awarded for a score of 53 points or more.

🏆 Certificate with Distinction – awarded for 71 points or more.

How to Make Learning More Effective?

While this course provides self-paced learning, additional support can significantly improve retention and confidence. As a certified Russian as a Foreign Language (RFL) instructor, I offer extra guidance to students to enhance their experience.

Here’s how I can help:
  • Creating a dedicated learning group on Stepik to track progress and provide tailored recommendations.
  • Hosting additional tutoring sessions to reinforce complex topics and improve conversational skills.
  • Giving personalized feedback to correct mistakes and clarify tricky grammar rules.
  • Helping students prepare for certification, including test strategies and structured revision plans.

Why Choose This Course?

🌍 Flexible & accessible: Learn from anywhere at your own pace.

📚 Expert-designed content: Developed by TSU’s top linguists.

🎓 Recognized certification: A valuable addition to your resume or language portfolio.

💬 Practical & engaging: Focused on real-world communication, not just dry grammar rules.

If you’ve always wanted to learn Russian but didn’t know where to start – this course is the perfect solution!

🔗 Enroll now and start your journey into the Russian language!

📩 Have questions? Feel free to reach out – I’ll be happy to help! 😊