No, this is really the good news about Russian. The Cyrillic alphabet has 33 letters and can be learned in 2-3 weeks with regular 15-20 minute daily practice. Several letters look like Latin letters (А, Е, О, М, К, Т), others have a different shape but represent a sound you already know. Our teachers introduce Cyrillic from the very first class in parallel with transliteration, so you read real Russian very quickly. Reading your first Cyrillic sentence is a concrete, motivating achievement.

Are the 6 Russian cases really indispensable?

Russian cases look intimidating on paper, they're less so in practice. In everyday spoken communication, 3 cases cover 80% of situations (nominative for the subject, accusative for the direct object, genitive for possession). Our teachers teach cases progressively through real-life situations, you're not asked to memorize abstract tables before speaking. You absorb endings naturally, the way a child learns their native language.

Why learn Russian in 2025-2026?

Despite the current geopolitical context, Russian remains the lingua franca of 15 countries and 260 million speakers, from Vladivostok to Riga, from Moscow to Almaty. It's the language of mathematics, quantum physics (half the world's publications in theoretical physics are of Russian-speaking origin) and a major body of world literature. For companies operating in Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan), Russian is the indispensable business language. And many Eastern European countries (Moldova, Georgia) maintain active Russian bilingualism.

Can I take the TORFL (Russian certification) with Targumi?

Yes. TORFL (Test of Russian as a Foreign Language) is the Russian equivalent of DELF or the Goethe-Zertifikat, recognized by Russian universities and companies operating in Russia and the CIS. We prepare levels A1 to C2 with targeted exercises on the 4 skills (writing, speaking, reading, listening) and simulations of real exams. TORFL level B1 is often required for positions in international organizations active in the post-Soviet space.

What's the difference between Russian from Russia and Russian from Ukraine or Kazakhstan?

Standard Russian (based on the Moscow dialect, known as 'literary Russian') is the academic reference taught in schools across the post-Soviet space. Ukrainian Russian incorporates Ukrainian inflections and borrowings, the two languages are mutually comprehensible at about 85%. In Kazakhstan, Russian is co-official and remains the language of business and administration in many sectors. At Targumi, we teach standard Russian understandable everywhere, and we explain regional variants for full comprehension.

Is Russian useful for my career?

For professionals working with Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Baltic states (where a portion of the population still speaks Russian fluently) or with the large Russian-speaking communities of Western Europe, mastering Russian is a rare differentiating advantage. In-demand sectors: energy (Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan), international cooperation and diplomacy, cybersecurity (the Russian-speaking scientific community is very active), import-export and logistics in Eastern Europe.

How long does it take to learn Russian?

For an English speaker, reaching conversational B1 level in Russian takes roughly 12 to 18 months with regular classes. The Cyrillic alphabet is learned in 2-3 weeks, and simple first conversations are possible after 3-4 months. The 6 grammatical cases are mastered progressively over 6-9 months. With Targumi, native teachers make cases accessible through everyday life situations.

Can you learn Russian on your own?

The Cyrillic alphabet and basic vocabulary are accessible to self-learners. But pronunciation (soft and hard consonants, stress that changes the meaning of words), declensions in spoken context and verbal aspects require a native teacher. On Targumi, our small-group classes let you practice cases and pronunciation with immediate corrections, which accelerates progress significantly.

How much do Russian courses cost on Targumi?

Targumi offers 3 plans: monthly, quarterly, and lifetime access. All plans include live small-group classes with native teachers, interactive lessons, and the community. See full pricing on the pricing page.

Are the Russian courses online or in person?

100% online. Live classes happen in small groups via Google Meet. You can join from anywhere in the world. The mobile and web app stay accessible 24/7 for interactive lessons.

Is there a money-back guarantee?

Yes. Targumi offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans. If you are not satisfied, just email [email protected] for a full refund.

How do I cancel my subscription?

You can cancel anytime from your profile (“My subscriptions” section) with no hidden fees. Your access stays active until the end of your paid period.

Resources

All Russian resources

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Russian level test

Assess your CEFR level in 5 minutes. 30-day learning plan included.

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Russian survival kit

A hundred words and thirty key phrases as a printable PDF, free.

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Russian cultural quiz

How well do you know Russian culture? Films, music, traditions.

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Russian articles

Guides and articles to learn Russian.

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Russian vocabulary

Essential words and phrases organized by theme.

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Cultural resources

Podcasts, movies, TV shows and music to progress through immersion.

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“Good progress on the basics, solid method. Just a shame the advanced slots are hard to come by — I've been waiting for my next session for 3 weeks.”

MalakVerified purchase

“my mother-in-law is from Saint Petersburg and I really didn't want to be the foreign daughter-in-law just smiling without understanding. 8 months of classes and we finally had our first real conversation. she hugged me after 😊”

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“After 3 months of Russian, I became a regular in a native WhatsApp group. I notice it every day.”

Olaf SchmidtVerified purchase

“Professional Russian vocabulary in dedicated modules. Exactly what I needed for my job.”

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“After 10 months of Russian, I understand airport announcements. Targumi kept its promise.”

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“Russian transformed my trip into a human adventure. Spontaneous conversations, invitations to locals' homes.”

Pierre SinghVerified purchase

“After 6 weeks of Russian, I write my professional emails in this language. goal reached, and beyond.”

Fatou KatoVerified purchase

“When asked the best way to learn Russian, my answer is always Targumi.”

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A complete learning platform: learn to build sentences, listen to audio to pronounce correctly, practice with exercises.
Regular live small-group classes: real practice. Schedule on the platform, everything on replay so you never miss out. Join in or not, no obligation.
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