Basics of Russian

Everything you need to know to navigate a Russian environment

 

If you want to know Russian...
but you don't have time for a whole college program, this is the course for you.

You will...

  • Learn to read Russian.
  • Recognize spoken words and phrases.
  • Navigate the Russian web.
  • Find resources in Russian.
  • Become an informed tourist.


I can't promise that, after taking this course...

  • You'll be able to translate Russian novels
  • You'll write a Nobel Prize-winning lecture in Russian on the meaning of life
  • You'll have the skills to draft legal documents without the help of professionals
  • You'll be able to argue politics with Vladimir Putin (and win)


But you will be able to

  • find your way in a Russian environment
  • Assist in preliminary searches for documents and sources
  • Facilitate communication
  • Enhance your travel experience
  • Reward your curiosity
  • Know for sure whether taking a full-size Russian language course is for you


Built around the concept that a fun and pleasant experience enhances learning, Basics of Russian introduces the foundational elements of the language, from alphabet and pronunciation, to simple grammar and forms of address.

It is a self-paced and comprehensive course that will allow you to cover the material as quickly or as steadily as you need. The one-time subscription give you perpetual access to the course, including updates and revisions if and when they happen.

You can return and review the material as many times as you wish, take the quizzes and challenges as many times as you like, keep the knowledge fresh, and decide later if you want to expand on it with a more traditional language course.

Additional specialized premium modules will become available in the future depending on student's requirements and by request.


Your Instructor


Masha Holl
Masha Holl

Masha Holl speaks several languages and has been teaching everything Russian for almost 30 years: a lot of language, but also culture, folklore, literature, and cinema.

She has been developing courses at the college level for over 20 years, from the basic lecture to the full, semester-long, credit-awarding course. Even so, every semester, students surprise her with unexpected questions and new insights into old material and familiar subjects.

Russian is her native language, and her family's story illustrates the history of Russia since before the 1917 revolution to the present day.

In her spare time, she likes to create multimedia scenes illustrating folk stories, tend her garden in spite of the South Texas sun, and spoil her dog.


Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
Do I need to know Russian to take this course?
No! this course is designed for students who have zero knowledge of Russian. It even starts with the alphabet! But if you had some knowledge and forgot it, this may be a good, focused refresher course for you.
What if I never studied a foreign language?
That's OK! There are no preconceptions in this course. It only assumes you understand English. But if you're reading this, then you do! So you're qualified to take this course.
Will I have any instructor input?
The comments will be open, and I will respond to them as quickly as I can. A premium subscription with more interaction may be available once the course opens for enrollment.
How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 30 days and we will give you a full refund.

This course is not yet open for enrollment.