by Olly RichardsLearning Russian but have no-one to practise your speaking skills with? Then you need to discover these 6 best online Russian tutoring services!
As more and more people have asked for online resources to learn Russian, new services have cropped up all over the place. So you'll have no trouble finding materials to help you improve your skills.
The best online Russian tutoring services can provide private classes that you can take from the comfort of your own home. These lessons may be more affordable than traditional, in-person tutoring sessions and can be more flexible to work around your schedule.
Check out the best websites for finding online Russian tutors below.
Pro Tip
By the way, if you want to learn Russian fast and have fun, my top recommendation is Russian Uncovered which teaches you through StoryLearning®.
With Russian Uncovered you’ll use my unique StoryLearning® method to learn Russian through story… not rules. It’s as fun as it is effective. If you’re ready to get started, click here for a 7-day FREE trial.
1. LanguaTalk
The top choice for Russian tutoring online
If you're looking for a language learning programme with experienced and qualified tutors, LanguaTalk is a great option.
You can be confident that your LanguaTalk tutor is knowledgeable and experienced. They carefully screen all of their tutors to make sure they're the best fit for you.
LanguaTalk is a very picky company when it comes to approving applicants. In fact, only 10% of teachers are approved. This high level of selectivity means that you can be confident in the quality of the tutors on LanguaTalk.
Although native speakers may think that their speaking ability is the most important thing to focus on when tutoring, their courses are actually totally tailored to students.
This means that the students' needs always come first, no matter what. If you need to focus on business writing, for example, tutors can pivot to adapt.
LanguaTalk is a great way to learn Russian. However, if you’re looking to learn something highly specific, like Medical Russian, you might not be able to find what you’re looking for.
In addition, you may need to ask your tutor for additional resources, as the site itself has a limited selection.
Pros
- Tutors are carefully vetted, so quality is high and they can adapt to your specific needs
- You can book a free, 30-minute trial (no card required)
- Students can view tutors’ reviews
- The website is intuitive and accessible
Cons
- If you need to learn highly specialised Russian, you might struggle to find the right tutor
- You’ll need to ask your tutor for additional learning resources
2. Rocket Russian
Structured learning environment specifically focused on Russian
When it comes to some of the less common languages that you can learn, Russian often comes to mind.
This means that finding tutors that specialise in Russian specifically might be difficult.
The good news is that Rocket Russian is carefully structured to appeal directly to those who are looking to level up their Russian skills, whether that’s speaking, reading, writing, or something else.
Rocket Russian is a highly structured environment, but you can learn at your own pace. In fact, you can choose your area of focus and tailor your learning toward it.
As an additional advantage, Rocket Russian has a very accurate built-in voice recognition software for you to practice speaking—which is something we’ve never really seen before!
Pros
- Structured, easy to follow learning strategy
- Discounts available
- In-built voice recognition could be a game changer
Cons
- A bit expensive, with the minimum price at around $100
- Cannot purchase individual lessons
3. italki
The most varied service
italki is a popular Russian tutoring service that offers two types of instruction: professional and community-based.
One of its key features is that it provides users with the ability to learn from both native speakers and other language learners. This makes it an ideal platform for those looking to improve their language skills.
The professional tutors have the credentials to teach Russian, whether that be certifications or degrees from reputable universities. You'll pay extra for their services, but they offer curriculums that can help you learn the language more effectively.
Conversely, community instructors are often less expensive than those with recognized credentials, but they may lack the expertise of the latter. They are typically native speakers who are willing to practice speaking with students in a more free-form or casual manner.
If you're looking for a language tutor, italki is a great option. With over 30,000 tutors available, you're sure to find someone who can help you learn Russian.
To learn Russian in a way that fits your needs, italki works hard to stay accessible both as a desktop website and as an app.
With italki, you can connect with native Russian speakers from around the world who are willing to help you practice your language skills in the way that suits you best.
Pros
- Tutors come in a mixture of experience and qualification levels
- A wide variety of additional material is available on the site
- Easy access on both desktop computers and mobile devices
Cons
- Community educators are not certified
- The app is the better functioning of the two choices
4. Verbling
Tutors no matter your global location
Verbling is an online tutoring service that provides Russian classes.
What distinguishes Verbling is how its teachers charge for their services. Instead of a traditional hourly rate, Verbling tutors can pick and adjust as needed.
A tutor's cost is not set by the site; instead, the tutor can choose their own cost and adjust it at will. This allows the tutor to be more flexible with their pricing, which can be beneficial for both the tutor and the student.
If you're looking for a tutor, that means you can probably find someone within your price range.
You'll also be able to search based on where the tutor is located. This can be a great way to narrow down your options and find the perfect tutor for you.
The website is attractive and user-friendly, but the app isn't always as reliable. Thankfully, some sources say that a new patch should be coming soon.
If you're looking for Russian tutoring, Verbling is a great option.
With tutors from all over the world, you're sure to find someone who can help you with your specific interests, including dialects of Russian or business speaking. Plus, the convenient online platform makes it easy to get started.
Pros
- Search for tutors anywhere
- Website is easy to use
- Free trials come around sometimes
Cons
- The app needs some work to be truly efficient
- Price is not necessarily reflective of tutor quality
5. MyLingoTrip
Native speakers use a tried and tested lesson plan set
One of the main differences between MLT and other language schools is that you book your Russian lessons on a per-lesson basis.
This means that each lesson is a one-on-one session, which allows you to get more personalized attention from your instructor.
The number of sessions you choose for your class will determine the fee. If you book more classes, you will be charged a reduced fee.
You have to take a minimum of five classes, and you'll be assigned a tutor based on your responses to questionnaires before you start.
Although some students are apprehensive about being assigned a teacher rather than being able to choose their own, the tutors at MLT are all native speakers who have certification in teaching.
MyLingoTrip is an online Russian tutoring service that stands out for several reasons. One reason is that all of the teachers adhere to a set, tried-and-true curriculum. This ensures that students receive a consistent, high-quality education.
You can learn Russian from anywhere in the world, and your experience will be just as good as if you were taking a traditional in-person lesson!
Whether you're at home, on vacation, or traveling for business, you can easily fit an Russian lesson into your schedule.
Pros
- The curriculum is repeatable and refined
- No need to commit to dozens of lessons at once
- Tutors are always native speakers
Cons
- Curriculum might not include your specific area of interest
- No built-in video conferencing option
6. VerbalPlanet
For those who need comprehensive feedback in order to learn
If you're an Russian student looking for the best instructor and feedback to help improve your language skills, VerbalPlanet is the perfect tool.
With a wide range of instructors to choose from, you can find the perfect match for your learning style and goals.
At VerbalPlanet, one of the main areas of emphasis for teachers is providing comprehensive, feedback quickly. This is something that they take very seriously, as they know how important it is for students to receive quality feedback in order to improve their language skills.
Tutors can help you stay motivated by using the Common European Framework of References for Languages (CEFR) to pinpoint your strengths and identify areas where you can improve.
There are a variety of ways that you can take VP classes online, through platforms such as Zoom, Teams, or Skype, so you have options for choosing which one suits you best.
Some online Russian tutoring programs teach for an hour or more, but VerbalPlanet instructors try not to let their lessons go for longer than about 40 minutes. This makes VerbalPlanet a great option for those who want to learn Russian but don't have a lot of time to commit.
This is especially useful if you struggle to find the time to study language amid your busy schedule. It can help you make the most of the time you do have and learn more effectively.
Pros
- Students always receive feedback
- Some discounts may apply
- Tutor information is just a few clicks away
Cons
- Might not qualify for a free trial
- The lessons can feel too short sometimes
Best Online Russian Tutoring Services
It's true that there are many ways to learn Russian these days, with Russian podcasts, Russian TV shows, and more available online—sometimes for free.
But if you're looking to improve your skills and synthesise your knowledge, a full-service tutoring program can help you out. There's no better time than now to get started.
Russian may not be the most common language, but it’s highly valuable, and there are plenty of online Russian tutors who can help you take your interest in Russian to the next level.
So check out LanguaTalk, our top recommendation for finding the best online Russian tutors.
The platform stands out for its ease of use, and unlike other sites, identifies the top 10% of talent. It also offers a 30-minute free trial session to new students, though a few tutors do opt to charge a small fee for this. Click here to see tutors' availability, videos and reviews.
Olly Richards
Creator of the StoryLearning® Method
Olly Richards is a renowned polyglot and language learning expert with over 15 years of experience teaching millions through his innovative StoryLearning® method. He is the creator of StoryLearning, one of the world's largest language learning blogs with 500,000+ monthly readers.
Olly has authored 30+ language learning books and courses, including the bestselling "Short Stories" series published by Teach Yourself.
When not developing new teaching methods, Richards practices what he preaches—he speaks 8 languages fluently and continues learning new ones through his own methodology.
