How I'm Learning Russian at Home
Tips, tools, and advice for learning a new language by yourself
Ever tried to have a conversation with a toddler and all you hear back is babbling nonsense and incoherent noises? Well, that’s what it’s like trying to learn a new language — minus the drool and runny nose. Nothing humbles you and heightens the awareness of your own ineptitude quite like learning a language. To be fair, there’s no shame in the struggle. There’s a reason why many Americans frolic their way through basic Spanish classes in high school and never use a Spanish word beyond queso ever again. It’s really, really hard. But there is a reward lying beyond the misery and frustration.
So as I drivel like a toddler and persistently work my way through the drudgery of learning Russian, I want to share how I developed my curriculum, my methods of studying, and offer a few tips that have given me the best results. Good news: all of this will apply to any language you learning, not just Russian.
Side note: If you’re curious about why I’m learning Russian or want a video form of this, check out my video I made here
Understand Your Motivation
‘Know your why’ has become hackneyed over the years, but for language learning it really is critical. When you’re six months in, struggling to have a basic conversation, and feel ready to send your head through the computer screen, you’ll want to reflect back on why you started learning in the first place.
Is it to communicate with your spouse or in-laws? Is it for an upcoming international trip? Is it to watch movies or listen to music in that language? Is it to stimulate your mind and challenge yourself?
Whatever your reasons are, be very clear about them. They will not only operate as motivating factors, but will help you be honest about how serious this pursuit is for you. If it’s for a short trip to Spain, you may only need a few months to pick up basic skills. In contrast, if you want to read Proust in French, you better prepare to lock in for many years to come. Getting specific about your goals and timelines will make for better planning and can help you define milestones.
Developing Your Own Curriculum
Just because you’re not in a classroom doesn’t mean you don’t need a teacher or homework. In fact, approaching language requires you create your own curriculum, homework, tests, and grade yourself. I’m not suggesting you create your own course, but I’m recommending you approach your studying with the intentionality and rigor of a student.
When it comes to choosing your main method of learning, you have a plethora of options. Babbel, Duolingo, Pimsleur, and other programs are plentiful, but you’ll want to consider a few factors when it comes to choosing the right app for you.
Price — Do you want to pay for a cheaper monthly subscription or pay upfront for a program and own the studying materials?
Functionality / Features — How does the interface look and feel to you? Are there multiple tools or ways of learning within the app? (Practice conversations, flashcards, quizzes, etc.)
Curriculum / Accuracy — Some apps are simply better for certain languages than others. You don’t want to spend months on Duolingo and sound awkward to a native because you learned the wrong things. Read reviews and see what natives or past users have to say
Beyond the main source of learning (app, software, or even in-person classes), you’ll want to start assembling other resources for learning vocabulary and testing what you’re learning. This may look like hiring a tutor, attending classes or clubs near you, or watching YouTube videos in that language. Find fun, interactive ways to begin using what you’re learning which will build your confidence and act as valuable practice. I’ll share a few of my favorite resources and methods further below.
Once you’ve got your methods of learning established, figure out your studying schedule. Will you study daily? Monday through Friday? How many minutes or hours per session? Remember, reflect upon your goals and timelines. If you’re in no rush, maybe a few days a week for 30 minutes will do the trick. But if you’d like to start reading in Russian within 1-2 years, you better start studying daily. Like anything else in life, establish a routine and stick with it — no matter what.
I personally have been studying Russian every day for the past 5+ months and my sessions are about 20-45 minutes each. I use a service called Rocket Russian, primarily because it doesn’t charge a monthly subscription and it had great reviews for the Russian language. My sessions usually include completing one module within the app followed by a few review tools for that module. Sometimes I take days off from the app and mix up my days with writing practice sentences, speaking with natives, or learning new vocab from YouTube channels as well. Beyond the dedicated study sessions, I also add in sources of entertainment and culture such as music, movies, or social media content into my day. The more exposure, the better.
Tips for Greater Success
Find a Digital Pen Pal — Make a new friend and start using what you’re learning. Not only is this real-life practice, but it’s also incredibly motivating to see how far you’ve come and how much you can express or understand in the language you’ve been working so hard to learn. Additionally, you’re able to absorb more of the culture, pick up idioms, and see how natives truly express themselves. I use an app called Tandem that allows you to speak with others across the world that are learning languages and it’s been a massive help