‘Gateway to Russia’ launches FREE online Russian language course for beginners
Welcome to your course of Russian as a foreign language!
We’ve created a program suitable for those who have only taken their first steps in learning the Russian language and want to confidently reach level A1 (Elementary). The course is currently available in English. You’ll not only master basic grammar, vocabulary and phonetics, but will also learn more about Russian culture and everyday life.
What does the course look like?
We’ve done our best to gather everything a beginner student needs into one place. Our course meets all the official Russian state standards for studying Russian as a foreign language and, at the same time, remains lively, convenient and relevant for independent study.
We understand how difficult it can be to learn Russian without a teacher, so we’ve provided translations and audio and made the topics within the learning process as engaging as possible!
Each unit of the course is a new episode of an ongoing mini-story. The main character, an Englishman named John, is embarking on a train journey across all of Russia from Moscow to Vladivostok to meet a girl he’s never seen. Along the way, he’ll encounter different cities, people – and situations. And the ending of this story will definitely surprise you!
The structure of the course
Our Russian course consists of 21 units plus a separate section on the alphabet and phonetics.
In each unit you will:
- Read and listen to a new dialogue, while following the continuation of John's story;
- Have various grammar explained in simple terms;
- Be introduced to vocabulary and learn new words;
- Be provided with exercises and tests for practice;
- Watch videos and listen to audio for comprehension practice;
- Check your knowledge with a summary test.
Will there be a certificate?
Upon successful completion of all units, you will receive a digital certificate from ‘Gateway to Russia’, which can be downloaded from your personal account. It’s important to note that this is not an official educational certificate confirming language proficiency.
In any case, by completing our course you will:
- Confidently reach level A1;
- Learn to read and write in Russian;
- Be able to prepare for international tests.
Personal account
Before starting the course, be sure to set up your personal account.
With it, you can complete the course at your own pace, track your progress and revisit difficult topics at any time!
Who created the course?
The course was developed by linguists and methodologists Maria Kireeva and Maria Olshevskaya, under the guidance of chief editor Olga Vlasova, a journalist, cultural expert and writer.
Videographers, designers and editors at ‘Gateway to Russia’, meanwhile, made the course visually vibrant and user-friendly.
The course was created in 2025 as part of the ‘Support and Promotion of the Russian Language Abroad’ state program, with the support of the Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation.