Russian Archives | Second-Half Travels

14 Best YouTube Channels to Learn Russian

YouTube’s an indispensable free Russian learning resource. Channels for learners offer slower, simplified Russian that’s easier to understand than native movies or TV shows. And short YouTube videos are better for a learner’s limited concentration span.

Fun videos make a great reward for tedious Russian grammar study. Here are some of the best YouTube channels to learn Russian.

If you find a Russian YouTube channel for learners you love, check out their other resources. Many have free Telegram channels and podcasts as well as paid courses. Joining their community of dedicated Russian learners is a great way to stay motivated.

Supporting your favorite Russian YouTube teacher through Patreon or YouTube membership also gives you access to bonus content and is the best way to reward their hard work and creativity.

Also, don’t miss my full list of resource recommendations for learning Russian independently.

How to Learn Russian by Yourself

I began tackling Russian seriously in 2020 as an independent learner. Here are my top tips on how to learn Russian by yourself.

Learning Basic Russian for Travelers

In fall 2018 I visited Russia solo. Since English is not widely spoken in Russia, I dedicated myself to learning basic Russian for travelers prior to my trip. Here are the free beginner Russian resources I found most useful.

Best Russian TV Shows on Netflix and Amazon Prime (2021)

Watching popular Russian TV shows helps you improve vocabulary and listening while learning about the culture. Luckily for language learners, Netflix and Amazon Prime are now adding many Russian TV series to their streaming lineups.

Here are some of the best Russian shows on Netflix, Amazon Prime, and YouTube in the US as of April 12, 2021. If you’re not in the US, click the title to check if the show is available in your country. Watch them while you can, because content disappears as licensing agreements expire.