Learn Russian on YouTube: 8 Awesome YouTube Channels For Learning Russian

How to start learning Russian? Many say that it’s one of the hardest languages to learn, but it’s not true. With the right resources and your determination, no language is impossible to learn, not even Russian.

While we're on the subject of resources for learning languages, which ones do you use to learn Russian? Learning in the full classroom from old textbooks is an old-fashioned way. Today, many students find more entertaining ways to learn languages, such as immersive approach, listen to podcasts and radio, watch tv and movies on a target language, solve quizzes, playing games, etc.

There is one notably successful way more and more people use it. It is learning the language with Youtube channels.

Among many useful and useless things, from funny videos, different vlogs, makeup tutorials to tips and tricks on how to spend less money and listen to interviews with celebrities, you can find many great Russian YouTube channels to learn the language.

Lately, YouTube became one of the leading resources for learning languages. Even if you don’t speak Russian at all, you can successfully learn it with YouTube.

But, which channels are worth following? Which ones can help you learn Russian phrases? Or the alphabet? Or perhaps grammar?

We’ve been researching a lot and find the 7 awesome channels you can learn Russian with. Many of them are created by experienced Russian tutors and Russian native speakers, so a useful way that can help you overcome any obstacle is guaranteed.

So, without further ado, let’s dive in.

What Are The Benefits of Learning Russian on YouTube?

Before we start mentioning channels to help you learn Russian, we should recall the benefits of learning Russian with YouTube.

• Listen to pronunciation. 

As we’ve already mentioned, YouTube channels are mainly created by Russian native speakers, so it’s a perfect opportunity to listen to how they pronounce sounds, words, and phrases. This way, you’ll start learning the right accent right from the start.

• A wide variety of resources.

Just like Spanish YouTube channels, for example, there are also many different Russian channels gathered around one goal: to teach the language. Therefore, you can choose the one you find the most right for you. You can even mix several different channels with different contents to get the bigger picture.

• Learn when and where you want from any device.

There is no limit to when or where you will learn the language. The only thing you need is an internet connection and a mobile device, any device you use. 

You can learn Russian while working in the gym or taking a walk, for example.

• Vocabulary, listening and reading skills enhancement.

Besides educational and informative, channels for learning Russian tend to be entertaining as well so that you continue learning with them. 

So, very soon, you will learn many new words and phrases, even build your vocabulary with some curse words.

And by listening to the lessons, your listening skills improve, as well as reading skills because it’s frequent that authors of educational videos create fun exercises that you have to read.

The 8 Awesome YouTube Channels to Help You Speak Russian In No Time

And now, we’ve come to the main point.

Here are the 8 most popular channels for learning Russian on YouTube.

Learn Russian While You Sleep

Best for: beginners

Even though it sounds unbelievable, and it isn’t officially proved, many think that we can learn many things in our sleep.

The Eko languages channel, among many others, offers several videos for learning basic Russian.

If you don’t want to risk, we recommend listening to the lesson while you’re awake.

With more than three hours of the 100 most common Russian words and phrases, this is an excellent start to dive into Russian.

Every word is slowly pronounced in English, and then several times repeated in Russian with spelling in both languages.

Russian Reading Practice For Beginners: Рeпка

Best for: beginners

If you know some basic vocabulary, then you should take a look at this channel.

Learning Russian with fairytales and children’s stories is fun!

On this channel, along with the story on the screen goes text, so that you can practice reading. Speakers read slowly and pronounce words very clearly, emphasizing almost everyone, so that you can connect letters and sounds.

At first, when you start listening, it might be a little challenging because there is no English translation, but once you get used to it, you’ll fill out the gaps.

On the channel that created this video called College Russian, you can find many other useful parts, such as learning to read, learn Russian words and phrases, etc.

Russian For Free

Best for: beginners and low/pre-intermediate students

Even though the channel is suitable for everyone, from beginner to advanced level, it is best for beginners and intermediate students.

The channel mainly focuses on vocabulary, pronounced and written both in Russian and English.

The type of approach the author uses is ideal for those who prefer visual learning, as well as to learn words and phrases that can be used in real situations.

‘Russian for free’ has a website, too, where you can find many exercises in vocabulary and grammar, listen to texts, or just read them.

One of the popular parts is the one for tourists, where you can find many basic Russian words for tourists.

R For Russian

Best for: beginners and intermediate students

On this channel, you can learn plenty of vocabulary and grammar.

It is a little bit different than other channels for learning Russian because the teacher is trying to make comfort and friendly atmosphere, so you can often hear music in the background. Don’t worry, because you will remain focused on learning. Only, you will be relaxed and therefore, open to the studying process.

Phrases that are used in the videos are written both in English and Russian.

Learn Russian With RussianPod101

Best for: beginners and intermediate students

Besides the channel, there is a website and exists in almost every language, RussianPod101 can help students learn Russian with audio and video lessons.

It is created to be available for all levels of proficiency, it is, however, the most suitable for beginners and intermediate learners.

With RussianPod101 not only will you learn how to speak, but also build your vocabulary, learn to write and read, and master listening skills.

Teachers speak clearly and slowly, so can you can keep track without taking back the lesson ten times.

However, if you want to get much more from RussianPod, you have to visit the website and purchase a premium membership. So, use this channel mixed with one more.

Weekly Russian 

Best for: beginners and intermediate students

Natalia is a Russian native speaker with many years of teaching experience. 

Even though it is mentioned that the channel is suitable for all levels, it is, however, ideal for beginners and intermediate learners.

For beginners, many video lessons cover basic grammar and vocabulary to make students start talking about basic things.

Intermediate students will improve their vocabulary about a particular topic, such as Russian words and phrases for the weather.

Videos are entertaining, and you don’t have a feeling that you’re actually learning Russian because the speaker uses cartoons, children’s songs, and traditional Russian songs to teach you the language as much as culture and tradition.

Fun Russian

Best for: all language levels

This channel offers learning vocabulary, grammar, idioms, and group language classes, as well.

As for the grammar rules and vocabulary, they’re ideal for beginners and intermediate learners, while for advanced students, we recommend idiom lessons.

No matter this level of proficiency you’ve reached, each lesson starts with grammar rules with description of that rule.

Ru-Land Club

Best for all language levels

It is one of the rare channels that are suitable for every level of proficiency.

Anyone who learns and improves Russian can find something useful.

Besides, video lessons are quite entertaining because you can see animated characters explaining phrases and expressions.

For advanced learners, there are many business phrases they might find useful. As for the beginners and intermediate students, the author  about the basic vocabulary, as well as grammar rules and explanations about writing and reading the Russian alphabet.

We know that tongue twisters can be helpful in many ways, but most importantly, to learn to pronounce sounds. In this channel, you can find lessons with tongue twisters. So, we highly recommend following Ru-Land Club.

Final Thoughts

Now that you have the list of the 8 most popular Russian channels, nothing stays on your way to fluency.

Remember, the most effective way for you to master the language is to enjoy it while studying. Then, it is more likely that you will memorize words and phrases easily, improve your pronunciation, and be more concentrated on the further path.

In case you speak the language but aren’t sure which proficiency level you belong to, you can always ask Russian tutors for help.

Whether you achieve a conversational level or you are familiar with some basic phrases, with their help you will find out, and then you can choose the right YouTube channel for learning Russian.