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Learning Russian is, without a doubt, a fascinating and often frustrating roller-coaster ride. Despite the many amazing apps, books, and other resources to learn Russian, there are certain aspects of the language that is best understood with the help of Russian tutors online.
Don’t know where to begin? Thankfully, there are excellent websites where you can find your perfect Russian tutor online. This list is all you need to get started.
Why find Russian tutors online?
Close the gap between your native language and Russian
If you aren’t a Slavic speaker, Russian might surprise you with a completely different way of sentence structuring. For instance, while an English speaker would say “I’m in pain”, the Russian equivalent would be “мне больно”; literally meaning “to me painfully”.
I have realized (not so painfully) that Russian pushes you to think differently about how you perceive your surroundings linguistically. The transition towards that mindset is not always a piece of cake, but a good Russian tutor can certainly be a great ally during your “Russification”.
Grammar mentor and speaking practise
Let’s take the example of “говорить” and “сказать”. Both verbs mean “to talk”. But how do they differ?
How do you decode idioms like “κогда рак на горе свистнет” (when the lobster whistles)? When you are writing a letter or an essay, are you manoeuvering correctly the six cases? Are you using correctly contextualized vocabulary? Is your pronunciation understandable?
Instead of spending numerous hours trying to sort this out on your own, a Russian tutor can give you direct feedback and precise tips to work on your weaknesses.
Tailor-made private or group lessons
There are plenty of websites that provide you access to a vast network of experienced online Russian tutors who can personalize your learning program according to your goals and timeline.
However, if you like learning collectively, like me, there is no shortage of excellent online group courses where you can put your speaking skills to use. It is also a great way to motivate yourself to keep studying.
Without further ado, here are 12 websites to find the perfect online Russian tutor!
Websites to find online Russian tutors
1. Italki
With over 600 Russian-speaking professional teachers and community tutors, Italki provides an extensive network of online Russian tutors that is hard to trump.
Through this user-friendly platform, you are introduced to each tutor with the languages they teach and speak, and their hourly and trial lesson rates. For Russian, you will find native speakers from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan (and generally former Soviet Union states).
However, don’t hesitate to also consider expert non-native speakers! They could potentially understand your learning journey better and how to overcome challenges you might face with Russian.
For each tutor, you can also check out their introductory video and a calendar with their availabilities. An intro to their teaching method and the material can help you grasp how their lessons are structured as well.
While you scan their profile, keep in mind the lesson-to-student ratio to gauge the rate of returning students. Reviews are also available on their profiles, indicating the number of lessons that the reviewer has attended.
Best features of Italki:
- Flexible pay-per-lesson model
- Online lessons through Skype or other platforms
- Tailored lessons, focusing for example on speaking, grammar, or writing
- Italki community where you can find a language exchange partner for free.
Pricing: Unbeatable prices, starting with $4 per lesson. An hourly lesson with a professional Russian teacher averages $10-$12 but you can find discounts here.
2. Preply
Connecting over 1300 Russian tutors online with students and Russian learners, Preply certainly gives you access to an impressive span of choices and flexibility.
Each teacher appears in your search results with a short blurb providing information about their teaching background and why you should choose them. You can watch their introductory videos, check out their availabilities, read student reviews, and take a look at their resume and the type of specialty lessons they offer.
You can narrow down your search according to your hourly budget, other languages tutors speak, or whether Russian is their mother tongue. Preply also offers a broader choice of filters regarding specialized lessons, such as focusing on business Russian, Russian for children, preparation for a TORFL certification, or opting for intensive lessons.
Best features of Preply:
- Over 1300 teachers to tailor your lessons to your budget, time zone, learning goals, and needs
- Lessons can take place at Preply Space, Skype, and other video platforms.
- Preply Space offers access to Library, Whiteboard, and Notes tools for increased productivity.
- Option to pay in packages of 5, 10, 15, and 20 hours
Pricing: Average of $15/hour. You can try out different tutors with irresistibly affordable trial lessons.
3. AmazingTalker
Find Russian tutors on AmazingTalker
AmazingTalker is another excellent hub where students can learn Russian with pre-vetted Russian tutors online.
Following the classic interface of tutoring websites, you can specify the time that suits you best and the specialization (e.g., Russian grammar, conversational grammar, etc.) of your tutor. On their profile, each teacher has a detailed bio on their teaching approach as well as a short introduction video.
What really stands out with AmazingTalker is the screening and training process that tutors undergo. Candidate tutors must possess teaching experience or relevant qualifications, and pass an interview and a trial lesson. They also receive additional support, through training to sharpen their communication and teaching skills.
Best features of Amazing Tutors:
- User-friendly tutoring website
- Affordable Russian lessons by thoroughly checked and trained language tutors
- 25-minute trial lessons offered at discounted rates
- An AI search system can recommend Russian tutors that fit your needs best
Pricing: You can find Russian tutors from $11 to more than $25 per 50 minutes. Find promos here.
4. Lingopie
Find Russian tutors on Lingopie
One of the most fun ways to learn Russian is through TV shows and movies… and Lingopie just made that easier! This innovative platform has clickable subtitles that give instant translations and pronunciation guide. You can even save words into flashcards!
But that’s not all. Lingopie also has Russian tutors who know how to make the learning process engaging.
On Lingopie, you can find native-speaking Russian tutors to do private lessons with. Because of the nature of the platform, the lessons are mostly casual and geared toward improving your conversational skills. You will learn the essentials and gain cultural insight too!
Best features of Lingopie:
- Russian tutors from all over the world
- Engaging lessons focused on growing your conversational skills
- Unconventional and entertaining learning tools
Pricing: Lingopie subscription starts at $5.99/month but the tutoring prices vary. Find out more here.
5. Fluent City
Find Russian tutors on Fluent City
As my buddy Aristotle noticed, we humans are (usually) social animals. Therefore, you might find learning Russian with other people more fun and effective. In that case, Fluent City is the perfect option for you.
Fluent City offers group courses in bundles for different fluency levels as well as one-to-one lessons with professional online Russian tutors.
As a noobie, you can start with Level 1, where you will learn how to use the propositional and nominative case for nouns and adjectives, basic spelling rules, number and gender agreement. By the end of Level 1 you will know how to present yourself in Russian, talk about your family and your hobbies.
In Level 2 you will start widening your vocabulary, tackle the beast of the six Russian cases, wield the power of the past tense, and decline nouns, adjectives, and pronouns. This level will enable you to talk about your everyday life and activities, the time, and dates.
In Level 3 you will jump more thoroughly into the past and future tense, conditionals, the imperfective and perfective forms of verbs. As a result, you will be able to talk confidently about past experiences, future plans and hold casual conversations.
Best features of Fluent City:
- 20 hours of lessons per level with professional instructors who embrace a speaking-centric style
- Group lessons take place over 10 weeks, two hours each week either with one or two lessons.
- Private Russian lessons are offered for every fluency level.
Prices: 20-hour group lesson bundles cost $399 while private lessons start at $32 per hour.
6. Verbling
Find Russian tutors on Verbling
If you are looking for an online Russian tutor platform in between Italki and Preply, Verbling will bring you the best of both worlds.
As with these two previous websites, you can find online Russian tutors through a variety of filters. For example, are you looking for a native Russian speaker who is also proficient in, let’s say, Lithuanian? Verbling’s got you.
You can further break down your options based on your schedule. Apart from putting a cap on your budget, you can also seek Russian tutors specifically for subjects like test preparation, grammar development, accent reduction, or even interview preparation.
Each Russian learning teacher has their own bio section in their profile, alongside their available slots, the average number of lessons per student, resume reviews, and ratings “badges”. These fun little icons have been granted by students, highlighting notable teaching features such as “Business Expert”, “Great for Medical Professionals”, or “Tech Savvy”.
Best features of Verbling:
- Vast choice of tutors with different specialization backgrounds
- Free 30-minute trial lessons
- Flexible payment plan where you can choose to pay for a single lesson or more lessons at a lower price.
- Built-in classroom equipped with a variety of tools to practice your skills
Prices: For Russian tutors, lessons average at $17 and can range from $4-$75.
7. Classgap
Find Russian tutors on Classgap
Classgap is another cool website to find experienced online Russian tutors that will customize each lesson according to your learning needs.
You can browse the profiles of myriads of teachers, providing you with their resumes, availabilities, student reviews, and spoken languages. Most teachers offer a free 20-minute trial lesson for you to test the waters before committing to future lessons.
Classes are held within Classgap virtual classrooms. The classroom offers you every online gadget you might need for your lesson. Specifically, this includes video conferencing, a digital whiteboard, an online document editor, Google Drive, and YouTube integration.
Best features of Classgap:
- Flexible payment system with the ability to pay in bundles or per lesson
- Possibility to cancel lessons eight hours in advance
- Money-back guarantee if you are unsatisfied with your first lesson
- Class Group’s multiple-choice and speaking test to determine your Russian level
Prices: Rates start at $7 per hour. You will notice that most Russian tutors fluctuate between $9-15.
8. Russificate
Find Russian tutors on Russificate
Russificate is an international language learning school sustained by professional Russian tutors online, offering both individual and private lessons. You can read testimonials of student experiences from around the world, scan teacher CVs and watch their short introductory videos.
First of all, what I really love about Russificate is the abundance of Russian courses they offer you. Specifically, beyond the classic Russian lessons, you can explore courses touching upon Russian history, culture, science, and literature.
For example, there is a course on Ancient Russia, the Silver Age of Russian poetry, Slavic mythology, a storytelling workshop, and Russian in the tourism industry. The choices are truly endless, with each course specifying the number of hours it includes, the required fluency level, and cost.
Best features of Russificate:
- Flexible online lessons via Skype
- Possibility to follow individual or group lessons
- Learn Russian or practice your Russian through courses on literature, science and art.
- TORFL exam preparation. Possibility to take the TORFL exam online
- Free 70 multiple-question test to see where your Russian proficiency level stands
Prices: Russian conversation practice sessions of 20 minutes start at €5.5, with bundled lessons. Non-specialized lessons start at €8.50 while specialized courses are priced from €14.50.
9. Verba Language School
Verba (formerly RU Land) has been a household name for quite a while in Russian online tutoring. But the platform is fast becoming popular for Ukrainian lessons as well.
All the tutors on Verba know both Russian and Ukrainian, with university degrees in linguistics. Here, you can find structured, well-prepared lessons that will help you to work on your speaking and listening.
You can choose between 55- or 85-minute-long sessions. You can also book a trial lesson first before buying a bundle of lessons so that you can become acquainted with your teacher, define your current level of Russian, set up your goals, discuss a learning program, and a convenient timetable.
Best features of Verba:
- Lessons with professional teachers
- Structured lessons focused on listening and speaking
- Trial lessons to assess your needs and learning styles
Prices: Starts at €20 for a 55-minute lesson with a junior teacher.
10. MGU Russian
MGU Russian is a language school offering online lessons that are equivalent to the Russian learning courses that you can take at Moscow State University (MSU). The Russian tutors you will meet online are from MGU, which is one of the most respected institutions in Russia. The school has been operating since 1990, catering to businessmen, expats, and Russian language enthusiasts.
The language school offers language experience packages or standalone lessons. You can choose from the Group Basic, Group Intensive or private lesson packages, based on your learning pace and style.
Best features of MGU Russian:
- Intensive Group course (20 lessons weekly lessons lasting 45 minutes) to quickly improve your Russian
- MSU language certificate upon course completion
- Lessons can take place on different online platforms
- All study materials are included in your purchase.
Prices: Group Intensive lessons span from €125 to €140 a week. Group Basic lessons cost €65 or €75 a week, while private lessons cost €16 per session.
11. Liden & Denz Language School
Find Russian tutors on Liden & Denz
Liden & Denz is a renowned language school located in Saint Petersburg, having expanded to other Russian cities as well. Apart from offering you full language experience packages, with accommodation, visa support and weekly lessons at their language centers, group or private lessons with Russian tutors online are also on the table.
The full-time group courses involve four daily lessons from Monday to Friday, spanning 3h 40mins each day. If you need to learn Russian quickly, these international crash course groups can be ideal for you. Lighter full-time group lessons are offered with only three daily lessons, lasting 2.5 hours.
Not in a hurry? Part-time group lessons two or three times a week lasting 1h 40mins might do the trick for you instead.
Best features of Liden & Denz Language School:
- Access more than 800 self-study materials and exercises
- Online activities such as Speaking Clubs for cultural immersion
- TORFL exam preparation. Exam can be taken online.
- Option of full Russian immersion experience by traveling to St Peterburg
Prices: The full-time group courses begin at $175 per week
12. Educa Language School
Educa is another reputable Russian language learning school located in Saint Petersburg. The school has been specialized for years in offering full immersion packages to foreign students. This would include handling accommodation, visa support, providing multiple weekly Russian lessons during your stay, and planning cultural excursions.
The school has been also offering online private lessons, guaranteeing access to experienced native Russian tutors online. The school offers courses on general Russian from total beginners to advanced learners, integrating aspects of Russian culture, from painting, ballet, architecture and music.
There are also online courses that focus on business Russian or TORFL exam preparation, depending on your needs and level.
Lessons take place at the Educa built-in videoconferencing platform, where you can easily access study material provided by your teacher as well as the recordings of previous lessons.
Best features of Educa Language:
- Experienced teachers working with over 1000 students from 60 countries each year
- Built-in classroom without the need to download extra platforms
- Opportunities to expand your Russian learning by visiting the language center
Prices: Private online lessons offered at €21, €23, or €24, based on the number of courses you purchase.
13. LinguaLift
LinguaLift’s Russian course is designed to be interactive and practical, with a focus on real-life situations and applications of the language. It includes a range of multimedia resources, including audio and video lessons, interactive exercises, and quizzes, to make the learning process engaging and enjoyable.
At first look, LinguaLift may not seem like a platform for finding tutors. But the app, in fact, allows you to connect with tutors through the in-app messaging service. Through this feature, you can get clarification, homework checked, or get unstuck.
The tutors are available to help you at any time, and they can provide personalized feedback and guidance to help you improve your language skills.
Best features of LinguaLift:
- Dedicated tutors guiding you on your Russian learning journey
- 10- to 15-minute bite-sized lessons
- Focus on real-life conversations
Prices: Starts at $12.99/month
And that’s a wrap! As you receive lessons from your Russian tutor, you can also get more exposure and practice from Russian learning apps, Russian books, and other Russian learning resources to enjoy a more holistic journey!
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