Learn at a moderate pace with our Russian Beginners short course. Starting in October, you will progress through three modules over a one-year period.
Learn Russian in a relaxed, friendly and informal atmosphere.
Whether you're learning Russian for travelling, working abroad or with foreign companies, the Russian Beginners course will enable you to communicate confidently on a basic level in everyday situations, socialise and not feel out of place in the country you are visiting.
This short course is an introduction to the Russian language and way of life for the purpose of practical communication. Challenging but rewarding, the course is perfectly suited to those looking to develop a basic command of Russian.
The course consists of one evening class a week, for a total of 30 weeks; spread across three modules, which is ideal for those with various commitments or working full-time.
All of our language short courses are taught by qualified native speakers and delivered at City, University of London’s main campus, in the heart of the capital.
The Russian Beginners course, based on the communicative approach to learning foreign languages, encourages you to speak Russian starting from lesson one. The course is taught using course books that fully meet the Council of Europe criteria for accreditation at A1 level.
In Module One you will be covering topics such as the Russian alphabet, grammar, numbers and a workshop to finish off.
Module Two you will be covering topics such as ordering food, use of different tenses, inviting a friend to a restaurant, likes and dislikes and a workshop to finish off.
Finally in Module Three you will learn room descriptions, talking about your home and hometown, sports you play and a workshop to finish off.
If you have no prior knowledge of Russian you must start with Module One, which takes place in October term.
If you have some basic knowledge of Russian and you are already familiar with the content of Module One you may choose to enrol on Module Two or Module Three. See the Eligibility section below for more details.
Please make sure you have the correct level by using our online guidelines.
Modules are taught at progressive levels, if you have no prior knowledge you must start at Module One in the autumn (October).
If you wish to join Module Two of the Russian short course (in January), you must have completed Module One or be familiar with the content taught in Module One, specified in the What will I learn? section.
If you wish to enrol on Module Three of the short course (in April/May), you must have completed both Module One and Module Two or be familiar with the content taught in these two modules, found in the What will I learn? section.
Please check your level by using our online guidelines before enrolling.
Applicants must be proficient in written and spoken English.
The emphasis in the Beginners Russian course is on listening and speaking. The lessons focus on language that is required in authentic situations.
Listening to audio clips and watching videos are an important element in our lessons. More comprehensive grammar exercises and reading texts are generally set as homework.
Your progress will be assessed on an on-going basis through homework and performance in class. You will receive verbal feedback from your lecturer when appropriate and written feedback with your homework. All evaluation will take place in a relaxed and informal setting.
There is no formal assessment and no qualification is issued at the end of the course, but you will be awarded an official City, University of London certificate on completion of the course. You must attend over 70 per cent of the classes to be eligible for the certificate.
The tutor will provide materials in class.
Navcha Murray
Navcha Murray is a qualified teacher of Russian with several years' experience teaching at City Lit and City, University of London. She is from Mongolia but was educated solely in Russian up to the age of 18.
