Start your beginner Russian learning journey with our Beginner Russian: A1.1 Course, designed for learners with no prior knowledge of Russian or those who want to refresh the basics. This introductory course builds the foundations needed to communicate in simple everyday situations while developing your understanding of essential Russian grammar and vocabulary. It is ideal for learners interested in Russian for cultural interest or personal enrichment in a supportive and interactive learning environment.

You will practise communication in situations such as introducing yourself, talking about names, cities, education, and everyday topics like family and leisure. Grammar is introduced naturally through these interactions, including basic question forms, noun gender and cases, verb conjugation in the present and past, and simple possessive structures. Vocabulary and phonetics are integrated throughout, including everyday expressions, numbers, and personal information, as well as the Russian alphabet and key pronunciation features such as stress patterns and consonant contrasts.

DELIVERY MODE

Language courses are offered in two delivery modes:

• Face-to-Face: WEA Sydney
• Online: via Zoom or Microsoft Teams

Please check the delivery mode listed before enrolling, as some classes are face-to-face and others are online.

TEXTBOOK

• Beginners Russian with Interactive Online Workbook 2nd Edition (Hippocrene: 2022), ISBN: 9780781814409

Suggested Textbook Suppliers: Abbey's Bookshop · Intext Book Company / Language International Bookshop · The Language People

The textbook is not included in the course fee. Please check textbook availability with the supplier and wait until your course is confirmed before purchasing. WEA Sydney cannot accept responsibility for textbook purchases if a course is cancelled. Courses are confirmed or cancelled at least 7 days before the start date.

COURSE OUTLINE

Communication

• Talking about Russian names and patronyms
• Referring to Russian cities
• Talking about education in Russia

Grammar

• Question forms: Кто? Что? Где? (Who, What, Where)
• Nouns: grammatical gender; singular and plural
• Cases: nominative, prepositional, accusative (singular)
• Pronouns: personal and possessive
• Adjectives: singular forms
• Verb forms: present tense; past tense; basic conjugation
• Structures: “to have” construction

Phonetics

• Alphabet: Russian alphabet and pronunciation
• Sounds: stressed and unstressed vowels (contrast)
• Sounds: hard and soft consonants; voiced and voiceless consonants (key distinctions)

Vocabulary

• Greetings and farewells (formal and informal)
• Expressions of gratitude and apologies
• Numbers (1–1000)
• Time of day and days of the week
• Professions, education, and personal information
• Family members
• Transport (on foot and public transport)
• Leisure and small talk

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Communicate in Russian in simple everyday situations such as introducing themselves and talking about basic personal information.
2. Use fundamental grammar structures including basic cases, verb forms, and question patterns.
3. Apply essential vocabulary and pronunciation features, including the Russian alphabet and key sound distinctions, to interact in basic contexts.