So, you’ve decided to embark on the exciting journey of learning Russian. First of all, I admire you! The road you’re about to travel is full of challenges, but it’s definitely worth it. Here are some tips for your inspiration.

Set a clear goal, a.k.a, keep your eyes on the prize

Don’t underestimate the role of motivation. A few YouTube videos or a chat with someone can inspire you in the beginning, but you’ll need something more solid to keep you going. A clear goal (ideally using the SMART approach) will help you stay motivated. Personally, I started learning French because I wanted to understand Edith Piaf’s songs. However, I continued and reached level B1 only because I needed it for my job.

Don’t expect rapid progress

This applies to any language, but learning Russian can be very slow at first. So don’t lose heart. Just keep going, bit by bit, but on a regular basis (every day is the best option; three times a week is better than once).

Start with the basics

There’s a big debate among teachers and linguists about whether it’s necessary to learn the alphabet first. Think about your primary needs and decide for yourself. It’s perfectly fine to start with speaking and occasionally learn letters, but knowing the ABC is the key to reading. And, by the way, If you’re planning to travel to Russia in the near future—remember that only the tourist areas of Moscow and St. Petersburg have signs translated into English and, sometimes, Chinese. All other cities will only offer you everything written in Russian (except for the occasional restaurant if you are lucky). That’s why your Russian reading skills are a must.

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes

Russians are well aware that their language is difficult. We learn it at school for 11 years (7 hours a week). So we are usually very happy to hear that someone has dared to learn Russian as a foreign language and has succeeded. And saying “Здравствуйте” is already considered a success. This means that if you’re communicating with a native speaker, they won’t laugh at you for mispronouncing some letters or abusing grammar rules. Most of them will be patient, understanding, and willing to help you.

Know what to expect

Every language has its own nuances, and Russian has very complicated grammar. It’s much easier to deal with stress if you know what to expect. The facts are as follows: word order is not important, words can change place without changing meaning (exceptions may apply), and almost every word in a sentence changes its form for a variety of reasons (case, gender of the speaker, tense, etc.) This brings us to the last but very useful tip.

Don’t ask why

Here’s a fact that every Russian speaker knows: the Russian language has a lot of grammar rules. And even more exceptions to those rules. So, to avoid losing your head, instead of trying to figure out “why does it work like this,” start with “In what situations does this apply?”