Start with Cyrillic and sound
The alphabet is your foundation. Learn the Cyrillic letters, their names, and the exact sounds they make. Many letters look familiar but sound different, so slow down and listen carefully.
Pair letters with audio from day one. Say them out loud, copy stress patterns, and record yourself. Clear pronunciation early on makes every russian word easier later.
- Master 33 letters plus soft sign
- Link each letter to 2–3 words
- Shadow audio for 5–10 minutes daily
- Practice minimal pairs (б/п, г/к)
Build core vocabulary and phrases
Focus on high-frequency words you’ll use daily: greetings, numbers, days, food, transport, directions. A complete beginner needs chunks, not long word lists.
Learn short, useful sentences you can plug into real life. Keep a tiny phrase bank you revisit every day for one week at a time.
- 100–300 most common words first
- Memorize phrases, not isolated words
- Tag items by theme (home, travel)
- Recycle old sets every three days
Use free online courses and apps
Mix a structured free online course with bite-size apps. Courses give sequence and explanations; apps add quick practice and motivation. If a platform offers a placement test, take it even as a beginner.
Explore YouTube lessons, public university materials, and community-made decks. Combine video, text, and audio so you learn the language from multiple angles.
- Follow one main free course for structure
- Add one vocab app for daily review
- Use YouTube for listening and shadowing
- Keep notes in a simple digital notebook
Practice speaking and listening every day
You don’t need to wait to talk. Start with imitation: repeat simple dialogues, then answer with your own details. Speaking from day one helps you think in the language.
For listening, choose slow content designed for beginners. Loop the same 1–2 minutes, then expand. Consistency beats intensity.
- Shadow short clips for 5 minutes
- Join free language exchange online
- Send voice notes instead of text
- Record a 30‑second daily monologue
Grammar made simple for beginners
Start with word order, gender, and present tense. Then learn the case system in tiny steps: nominative for subjects, accusative for direct objects, prepositional for location.
Use example-heavy explanations and memorize a few patterns you repeat often. Don’t chase every exception at A1–A2.
- Learn noun gender and plural rules
- Use set phrases as case templates
- Practice question words early
- Keep a mini chart of endings
Printables and PDFs to review offline
Create a lightweight study pack you can keep on your phone: alphabet chart, pronunciation tips, 100 core words, survival phrases, and a case endings cheat sheet. A single, tidy pdf avoids distraction.
- One-page Cyrillic + pronunciation pdf
- Core phrases with stress marks
- Case endings mini-table
- Weekly review checklist (complete)
FAQ
- How long does A1–A2 Russian usually take if I learn for free?
- With a clear routine (30–45 minutes daily), many beginners reach A1 in 6–8 weeks and A2 in 4–6 months. Short, consistent sessions work better than long, irregular ones.
- Can I learn Russian without a paid course or tutor?
- Yes. Combine a free online course, YouTube lessons, language exchange, and printable PDFs. The key is a weekly plan, daily review, and regular speaking practice.
- Are PDFs enough, or do I need interactive practice?
- PDFs are great for summaries and offline review, but you still need listening, speaking, and spaced repetition. Use pdf cheat sheets plus audio and conversation.
- What should a complete beginner study first?
- Start with Cyrillic and basic pronunciation, then core phrases and present tense. Add the most common nouns and verbs, and practice simple case patterns in context.
- How do I stay motivated when learning online?
- Track tiny wins: daily streaks, 100-word milestones, and weekly voice notes. Use one main course for structure, then reward yourself with fun videos or songs.