Russian Course

Contents overview:

Level 1 – Getting Started with Russian

At this beginner level, learners are introduced to the Russian alphabet and the relationship between sounds and letters. They learn personal pronouns and the present tense of the verb to be, both in positive and negative forms. Nouns in the nominative case (singular) are introduced, as well as the basics of verb conjugation for both the first and second conjugation groups. Students practice asking simple questions like who?, what?, and where?, and use basic greeting and farewell phrases. Numbers from 1 to 100 are covered, along with days of the week, months, and times of day. A key grammar structure is the phrase "I have..." using the genitive case.

Level 2 – Building a Foundation

Learners now begin to work with noun declensions in both singular and plural forms, and adjectives in the nominative and accusative cases. They study motion verbs without prefixes (like to go on foot vs. to go by transport), ordinal numbers, and how to say dates. The structure "I like..." with the dative case is introduced, along with verbs in the past tense. Students practice forming both statements and questions, using pronouns in various cases, and forming negative sentences with не and нет. Vocabulary expands to include topics such as family, professions, housing, food, and shopping.

Level 3 – Expanding Communication

Students now tackle motion verbs with prefixes (like to arrive, to depart), and learn the difference between imperfective and perfective verb aspects. They explore how to use the genitive case with numbers and practice conditional sentences using если (if). Comparative and superlative forms of adjectives are introduced, along with direct and indirect speech in both the present and past tenses. Learners work with infinitive phrases and modal verbs, and are introduced to active and passive participles. Thematic vocabulary focuses on travel, health, leisure, and city life. Students also learn how to make polite requests and suggestions.

Level 4 – Expressing Complex Ideas

At this level, students work with complex sentences using conjunctions like because, although, and since. Participial and gerund constructions are practiced in depth. Learners explore stylistic differences between spoken and written Russian, and use expressions like I need or I’m allowed to describe necessity or permission. Emphasis is placed on word order in complex sentences and mastering high-level conditional and concessive structures. Students learn to use introductory words and phrases such as fortunately or possibly. Vocabulary development focuses on work, education, and intercultural communication. Learners are encouraged to express opinions, build arguments, and recognize the differences between informal, neutral, and formal language.

Level 5 – Mastering Style and Structure

This stage deepens students' command of compound and complex sentences involving different types of subordinate clauses. They study various speech styles such as academic, journalistic, and formal business language. Learners are exposed to literary and archaic vocabulary, and practice using complex participial and gerund constructions. Attention is given to subtle meanings in aspectual verb pairs and the skill of paraphrasing and analyzing sophisticated texts. Students learn to use stylistically marked vocabulary and idioms, apply syntactic transformations (such as passive and impersonal constructions), and prepare for oral presentations. Vocabulary topics include politics, culture, and science.

Level 6 – Achieving Near-Native Proficiency

At the highest level, learners engage in deep analysis of text structure and style. They examine the use of author-specific neologisms and creative word forms. The focus is on lexical compatibility and the fine distinctions between synonyms. Students are trained to build arguments on abstract and philosophical topics and to express themselves with rhetorical flair, including the use of metaphors and allusions. They explore nuanced uses of verb tense and aspect, and study discourse strategies in both spoken and written communication. Comparative analysis of literary styles is emphasized, as well as the development of a personal writing voice. Key vocabulary areas include philosophy, literary studies, and international relations.