A Guide on Where to Learn Russian

The Russian language is a beautiful, but complex, language. It's one with a deep history that goes back further than many countries have been in existence, and it's been used by some very influential, historically important people. Figuring out where to learn Russian, then, is an important task that falls upon students that are interested in not just learning the language, but the culture and the history that have made it what it is today.

Modern Russian, like English in many Western countries, is not the same as it once was. While there are many structural similarities, pronunciations have changed. The use of local dialects, idioms, and slang all point toward a different style of Russian. Those of you who may recall learning your first language might remember that while the basics of the language were covered, such as the verbs, nouns, and adjectives, there were also local flavors of dialect that were not in the text. There were turns of phrase related to historic events that may not have been explained either.

For this, and many other reasons, it's usually best to learn the Russian language abroad. By visiting Russia itself, students can get the opportunity to learn “living Russian.” When a person says to themselves, “I want to learn Russian,” it's very likely that the language that they want to learn is the language spoken by everyday people. Studying abroad can provide you with exactly that opportunity.

Studying Russian in Russia

Learning abroad has its challenges, and its rewards, but you will still need a school to show you the way. ECHO Eastern Europe Language Centre is one such institution, offering students many different types of courses and levels of immersion, as well as guidance for foreign students that want to learn Russian in the heart of the very language itself.

Here are some of the qualities that you need in a Russian language school, as a foreign student:

• Are there opportunities to learn and speak the language in Russian cities and towns? You can't learn everything from a book. ECHOEE provides students with information on different important Russian cultural institutions and events that they can visit to sharpen their language skills, and increase their understanding of just what shapes the Russian language as a whole.
• Do the courses move at the right pace? Some choose to study Russian abroad for a few weeks, while others may choose a semester, and yet others may choose a year long course for their Russian education. What's important for all of these students is that they find studies abroad that move at the right pace for their education. A business person that needs to learn the Russian language quickly may require an intensive Russian education, while a student that's seeking a degree in Russian art or literature may require a more lengthy set of courses to appreciate the intricacies of the language and culture.
• Certification and advancement. There are also degrees to consider for students that are seeking Russian citizenship. Certification requires a mastery of the language that, in turn, requires real, credited class room hours, as well as specific instruction into Russian that is focused on your particular field of work or study.

To learn the Russian language, one must have the right teacher.ECHOEE provides several, including talented instructors and tutors that can assist students in its Russian Language Centre location. There's even courses that can teach Russian for kids who may be interested in learning the language during Summer studies. The choice is yours, ultimately, but it's always best to choose schools and facilities that can support students at every level of experience.

Study Russian with Tutors, or Study Online

Finally, studying Russian abroad doesn't just mean studying in a classroom. As a supplement to your education, you may find that studying abroad with a tutor can actually increase the rate at which you pick up Russian. When you study Russian language with the assistance of a tutor that's a native speaker, there's proven gains in how quickly you retain the knowledge, and how in-depth that retention will be.

Likewise, it's smart to consider what online courses can do to further speed up your Russian language studies while abroad. ECHO Eastern Europe can provide students with access to online courses, and online tutors, all of which can meet the needs of students at every level of Russian mastery. Online courses can be particularly useful for both college students and professionals that may not have the availability to study abroad for the full duration. You may be able to begin your coursework abroad, and then continue it online from your country of origin.

Other benefits of online learning include:

• Improving your reading and writing through study in Cyrillic, with access to online resources specifically built for foreign speakers that want to learn the Russian language. Reinforcing the lessons that you've received through online courses can really help students to overcome many of the challenges associated with Cyrillic, including vocabulary and sentence structure. Even just reading Cyrillic every day can show great improvements for students.
• Access to Native Russian speakers through Skype. Should you choose to continue your education once you leave Russia, access to native speakers can help to keep your Russian speaking skills sharp. Everyday, conversational Russian, as well as assistance in pronunciation and proper interpretation on a continued basis can and has shown great results for students.

Online education, when combined with online tutors, can have even more benefits for students interested in studying Russian abroad. To get the full experience, and to learn more about ECHOEE's Russian Language courses, contact ECHO Eastern Europe Language Centre.