by Olly RichardsOne of the best things you can do to learn Russian is to keep interacting with it. So let’s imagine that you’ve already mastered the Cyrillic alphabet, built up a decent vocabulary, and have a good handle on the Russian case system.
What should you do next?
Aside from podcasts and movies to improve your listening comprehension, you can also read Russian blogs for learners.
Blogs are a great way to practice a language because they:
- are much much easier to tackle than a full book
- tend to use everyday language
- and you can usually find a blog about something that interests you.
In this article you're going to discover some different Russian blogs for learners which range in topic, style, and scope. Some are for Russian learners, while others are written with a Russian-speaking audience in mind.
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.
Russian Blogs For Beginners
These are some good blogs for those who are at the beginning of their Russian-learning journey. Most of these have good articles about essential grammar and vocabulary.
1. Fluent In 3 Months
The program by Fluent in 3 Months has the specific goal of getting users to a level where they can have a basic conversation after…well three months.
To support this, you can read the blog in Russian. This includes articles on common slang, essential phrases for travellers, the case system, and more.
2. LingQ
Among other languages, the site LingQ has a host of blogs about learning Russian.
These cover the nitty-gritty of difficult elements like verb conjugation and prepositions. It’s also full of articles on finding other learning materials like YouTube content, movies, and podcasts.
3. RussianPod101
The blog by RussianPod 101 is pretty similar to LingQ’s in the sense that it gives you a good foundation for Russian grammar and vocabulary with clear explanations of things like pronouns and adverbs. It also has plenty of tips for learners.
4. ExpressRussian
If you want to learn all the essential grammar of the Russian language and have it coupled with recipes for traditional dishes, then ExpressRussian is a particularly good blog.
While the main focus of the blog is on grammar, you’ll also get plenty of cultural information about Russian-speaking countries.
This includes some great recipes for borshch, okroshka, and medovik which you can read in both English and Russian.
Russian Blogs For Learners At Intermediate Level
Have you been learning Russian for a while? Then these intermediate level Russian blogs for learners will provide an extra level of challenge.
5. RU-Land Club
This is a great jumping-off point for any upper beginner or intermediate learner who wants to know more about the culture of Russian-speaking countries.
Along with her podcast and YouTube channel, the host Nika has a catalog of blog posts that are great for learners. Articles by RUland Club include things like carpets from the USSR to an ancient form of Russian baseball.
Almost all of these have parallel texts in Russian and English so you can always follow what’s going on.
6. Russificate
The Russificate Blog is for intermediate learners who want to take their Russian to the next level.
The blog posts are written almost entirely in Russian but are for learners to get a deeper understanding of the language.
Blog topics include things like Russian slang terms and expressions or the grammar of expressing one’s emotions.
There’s also plenty of cultural information like how architecture is changing or what lines from Russian-language cinema people are still quoting.
7. Russian Language Blog
The Russian Language Blog is a great place for intermediate learners who want to expand their vocabulary.
Most articles are written in a combination of Russian and English and go into a specific theme, topic, or word.
There’s also plenty to read about cultural elements, especially those from Ukraine. So check it out if you want to expand your vocab or need a good recipe for vereniki (dumplings).
Russian Blogs For Grammar Lovers And Word Nerds
This next round of blogs is for you if you have a good foundation and understanding of Russian and want to get into the nitty-gritty of words and grammar.
8. Мы Любим грамматику
If you’re looking for a blog about learning Russian grammar, then you’re probably going to become a fan of мы любим грамматику (We love grammar).
The site has an idiom of the day, sections on vocabulary, as well as lots and lots of easy-to-understand explanations of Russian grammar.
It’s also a great place to go if you’re looking for learning materials for something more specific about a particular feature, tense, or rule.
9. The Word’s Worth
The Word’s Worth by the Moscow Times is a blog about the Russian language written by the often witty and always observant journalist Michele Berdy.
The topics range widely, sometimes looking at how animal terms have changed in Russian or that translate poorly to English and other times just looking at how complex a single preposition like при can be.
In particular, this blog is a great way to learn about how people are speaking Russian today and adapting new words for the changing world.
10. Linda’s LangBlog
This blog is a grab bag of trivia, untranslatable words, puns, jokes, and the author's experiences as a teacher.
Each post on the blog is pretty short and it’s a great place to stop by if you want something that’s light, easy to digest, and always interesting.
Some posts are in English and some are in Russian, but there are loads of English posts about specific Russian words or interesting facts.
Blogs In Russian For Native Speakers
One of the best ways to learn a language is to read content that’s aimed at its speakers.
The collective Russian language internet is often called Рунет (RuNet) and it’s full of different blogs. So here are a few that you should be able to read with an intermediate level and a dictionary.
11. Salatshop
It’s easy to think of Russian food as nothing but soups, meat, and potatoes, but vegetarian blogger Olya shows the more modern side of cooking.
The blog Salatshop is all about food and good vibes. Loaded with simple recipes, playlists, and yoga tips – it’s got lots of easy-to-read posts that aim to uplift the reader.
12. Lana MH
The blog Lana MH is by and about a Russian living in the USA. It’s a really interesting perspective as Lana looks at the US from a distinctly Russian perspective.
Most posts are about her experiences in California, Florida, and Hawaii specifically and there’s a definite focus on nature, animals, and plants.
So if that piques your interest it’s a good place to read stories about going to Фестиваль манго (mango festival) or floating down the черепашья река (turtle river).
Immerse Yourself In Russian Through Russian Blogs For Learners
So there you have it – 12 different Russian blogs for learners. Depending on your level and your interests, you should be able to find something that works well for you.
If you want to immerse yourself even further into Russian, you should check out the StoryLearning® method. Applying this method means reading Russian books or short stories in Russian to help pick up more vocab and solidify your grammar in a natural way that stays interesting and engaging.
So happy reading and as always удача из удач (best of luck)!
