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Learn Russian from Zero — Expert Tools for Every Step

Language Interface (langint.com) has been building tools for learning and teaching Russian as a foreign language since 1994. These tools give you everything you need to speak, read, and understand Russian with confidence:

  • CORRUS: an online basic course of Russian for complete beginners. The first 18 lessons are free, no account needed.
  • Resonance: Russian for Beginners, a two-volume textbook with online audio. The first lessons of each volume are free to read online.
  • LexTutor, free English–Russian and Russian–English learner's dictionaries.

Learning and Teaching Tools

Online Russian language course

45 compact lessons from the Cyrillic alphabet to everyday conversation, with audio by native speakers. They cover the content of the first 4 chapters of Resonance. The first 18 lessons are free, no account needed. Full access is $3.95 a month or $19.00 once.

Resonance textbook and study guide

Two volumes, 34 in-depth lessons (700+ pages), covering grammar, vocabulary, and communication from zero to A2+. All explained in English. Hundreds of exercises with answer keys, reading texts and cultural notes. Online audio and answer keys come with the book; sample lessons (8 in total) are free. Paperback on Amazon, e-book on Google Play.

★★★★★ "A textbook of choice for self-learners and teachers of Russian." — Cross-Cultural Studies journal

Free online dictionaries for Russian language learning

Free online English–Russian and Russian–English learner’s dictionaries with flashcards and audio, beginner word lists by subject and a Comprehensive Textbook Dictionary, containing audio and grammar notes and covering complete vocabulary required on the competence level A2.

Where to start

I'm a complete beginner and want to try before paying.
Start with the free CORRUS lessons where you will learn the Russian alphabet, pronunciation rules and the language basics. Need to type in Russian? See the Russian keyboard layout guide.
I have been learning Russian using various applications and I am completely lost now.
No wonder you are lost. Language learning applications actually do not teach the language but provide piece-meal information. Start with the 18 free lessons of CORRUS. This well-structured course will help you quickly acquire the knowledge of the basics of Russian.
I want to study Russian seriously but so far cannot afford a tutor.
In this case Resonance textbook and study guide will perfectly fit your needs. The learning material is presented there the same way as if you learn with a private teacher or in a classroom. Try its free sample here.
What Russian words should I learn first to develop my vocabulary?
You can find the most important vocabulary in the suite of learner's dictionaries LexTutor. It includes small subject-specific dictionaries, such as Family, City, Weather, etc. Besides, its Comprehensive Textbook Dictionary contains all vocabulary required for the level A2 that ensures fluent communications with the native speakers.
I am going to teach Russian but I do not have much of experience. Where do I start?
Open Resonance: Russian for Beginners. It contains the complete course of Russian for beginners. The learning material is presented in detail and includes explanations in English, examples, exercises with answers and much more — everything you need to work with your students.
Where to get materials for Russian lessons development?
The Resonance textbook and study guide contains a well-structured course composed of ready-to-use lessons where the classical methodology and state-of-the-art teaching means are employed. It works well for both individual and classroom lessons. Find recommendations on the methodology in the Preface for Teachers.

Frequently asked questions

Is CORRUS really free?

The first 18 of 45 lessons are free and need no account. Full access costs $3.95 per month (no fixed term) or $19 as a one-time payment.

Do I need to know any Russian or the Cyrillic alphabet first?

No. Both CORRUS and Resonance start with the alphabet and assume no prior knowledge.

Should I start with CORRUS or with the Resonance textbook?

CORRUS is the quickest way to try Russian and the first 18 lessons are free. With this course you will immediately gain momentum. Resonance, on the other hand, is a full textbook for profound study. Both courses provide all explanations in English, both courses were created by the same team and can be used together.

What level does Resonance take me to?

Both volumes together (34 lessons) bring you to A2+ on the CEFR scale.

Is the audio generated by a computer?

No. The recordings are made by educated native Russian speakers.

How do I get the audio and answer keys for Resonance?

They are online supplements to the book. Scan the QR codes printed in it. First 5 lessons are open to everyone online.

Is LexTutor free?

Yes, the online dictionaries are completely free to use.

Is there a Russian version of the site?

Yes, switch with the language selector in the menu (EN / Русский).

Who makes these products? Language Interface, Inc., a linguistic engineering company founded in 1994. The author of Resonance is Elena Berg, Ph.D., a philologist.

Papers and Reviews

Resonance: Russian for Beginners is a textbook of choice for self-learners of Russian and for the teachers of Russian as a Foreign Language. Clear explanations of the Russian grammar in English, numerous exercises with answers, texts with assignments aimed at practicing reading skills and online supplement with dictionaries and audio records make Resonance a leader among the Russian language textbooks.
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The American Scholarly Journal Cross-Cultural Studies: Education and Science

Review: Resonance: Russian for Beginners. Book 1 / Grobova N.A.
Unlike Russian language textbooks written by foreign authors, Resonance: Russian for Beginners published in the USA and used worldwide adequately presents both the linguistic material and the historical, social and cultural context.
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The Russian Journal of Law

Language. Discourse. Communication: Development of language-aware personality in the context of professional discourse / Ryabova I.Yu., Ryadovykh N.A.
The educational platform LexSite/LexTutor is a multifunctional online tool that facilitates the development of essential professional translator's skills.
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Journal Pedagogical Education in Russia

Step-wise development of translator's digital competence in the students of URFU's linguistic educational programs / Kovaleva A.G., et al.
The interactive training course with audio suppport Corrus – Essential Russian Language was developed by experts in the field and responds to the strictest demands of the learners. The course is based in the content of the best contemporary textbook on Russian as a Foreign Language Resonance: Russian for Beginners. The interactive features of the course expand and enhance flawless presentation of the textbook's content. All components are accompanied by audio records made by educated native speakers, unlike in most other resources that use syntesized audio. This feature facilitates correct Russian pronunciation. From the very first lessons the learners can participate in dialogs and read texts in Russian.
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International Scientific Journal Rusistica Without Borders, Sofia, Bulgaria

The Interactive Course of Russian as a Foreign Language Core Russian Online / Grobova N.A.
Language Interface Inc, renowned developer of techonogical means for learning and teaching Russian as a foreign language, released the course Corrus – Essential Russian Language, which teaches students the Russian alphabet, reading and pronunciation rules and helps the learner speak without foreign accent from the beginning. It also teaches learners to make phrases in Russian, enabling them to participate in conversations respecting the norms of the Russian speech etiquette. The course Corrus includes valuable unique information that is usually not covered in other learning materials, such as Russian keyboard installation, traditional simplified letter inscription, etc.
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The International Journal of Philological and Areal Russian Studies Novaya rusistika (Brno, Czech Republic)

First Steps in Learning Russian as a Foreign Language with the Interactive Guide Corrus / Berg E.
The textbook Resonance: Russian for Beginners stands out among other Russian language textbooks for its top-quality explanations of the linguistic material. The textbook takes into account the contemporary social and cultural realities and is a part of a state-of-the-art learning ecosystem. Its efficient methodology facilitates quick acquisition of conversational skills. The textbook contains hundreds of exercises to practice with each learned topic. The textbook is particulary valuable for the teachers of Russian since it provides them with the course structure, ready-to-use lessons and recommendations on teaching methodology.
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The International Journal of Philological and Areal Russian Studies Novaya rusistika (Brno, Czech Republic)

Russian Textbook Resonance: Russian for Beginners — Modern Implementation of Classic Methodology / Grobova N.A.
The Lexsite-Lextutor platform is a reliable service based on precise linguistic data. It features numerous teaching functions beneficial for students and teachers, helping customise and motivate studies. With the use of Lexsite/Lextutor platform the vocabulary development process becomes better structured and targeted. It improves language learning motivation in self-learners and those who study the language with teachers.
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Almanac Innovative Approaches in Computer Science within Higher Education

Using the Lexsite-Lextutor platform for teaching foreign vocabulary / Kovaleva A. G., Gubina D.I.
LexSite is a large English-Russian / Russian-English dictionary that contains commonly used words and expressions, terms used in science and technology, and idiomatic expressions. The dictionary is available in public domain, free of charge. It presents reliable verified information, adopted to the specifics of the Russian and English grammar. The dictionary shows correct translaitions of polysemantic words, homonyms and homoforms. Featuring explicit comments to the translations and showing words in high-quality context, it greatly helps improve language learning and translation efficiency.
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Voprosy Leksikografii - Russian Journal of Lexicography

Suggested Solutions for the Bilingual Internet Lexicography Problems in the LexSite Dictionary Project / Berg E.B., Kit M.

Developed by linguists and engineers with global expertise

Resonance is written by Elena Berg, Ph.D., a philologist. Language Interface, Inc. is a linguistic engineering company, founded in 1994, that provides Russian–English translation and Russian language learning tools.

This language learning ecosystem was developed by Language Interface, linguistic engineering company founded in 1994. We provided Russian–English translation for major international projects, such as International Space Station, Shuttle-Mir Space Program, Caspian Pipeline Complex. Each component of our ecosystem — a lesson, an exercise, lexical entry — were created with the same precision and diligence as the translations made for space missions or environment protection programs.

Our work spans energy infrastructure (Sakhalin Energy), Caspian Pipeline), international institutions including the United Nations, and aerospace projects for NASA's International Space Station. This experience helped us create a large terminology base essential for translation and language learning purposes.
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International Space Station
Shuttle-Mir Space Program
Integrated Cargo Carrier for the Space Shuttle Orbiter
ACRV: Assured Crew Return Vehicle
Caspian Pipeline Project
Tengiz Oilfield Development
Sakhalin II Project
Sakhalin Onshore Processing Facility (OPF)
Kashagan Oil Field Development
Yuzhnoye Khylchuyu Oilfield Development
Russian Standards and Regulations
Oil Mist Generating System LubriMist
ControTrace Heat Tracing Systems
American Concrete Institute's Building Code
United Nations Reports and Studies
Caspian Environment Programme
Social and Economic Studies