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Russian language courses

From the very first group lesson an experienced teacher will help you to build your vocabulary and understand how the language works. During these lessons we will also make use of an interactive, digital environment. The course focuses on speaking and listening skills. Additional work on grammar, as well as reading and writing skills, will support you in the language learning process. Your teacher will always be a  native speaker, and the group lessons will be conducted in Russian. Instructions will only be given in Dutch or English if it’s absolutely necessary.  

After completing the third module, you will be able to communicate in Russian in everyday situations. 

Fast facts

  • Beginner to intermediate knowledge levels
  • English CEFR level B1 is a requirement
  • Start in February and September
  • 14 sessions of 2 hours
  • Groups of about 12-14 students
  • 4 hours of independent study preparation per lesson
  • Certificate
Find the perfect Russian course for you See the timetable and sign up!

Russian course modules

For available times for the courses below, please see the course dates and the registration form. The registration form shows the currently available groups.

Quick links:

'It was a great experience learning Russian with the courses from the Language Centre. I started off with nearly no knowledge of the Russian language, but now after 4 semesters I actually understand and speak some Russian! Russian is not an easy language to learn but our amazing teacher, Sonia, always made it fun and encouraged us to keep going. In class we supported each other and thanks to this experience, I am left with some amazing friends.'

Lisa Slingenberg | Student FASoS

Costs per course

  • UM students: € 475 per module

  • UM staff and alumni: € 475 per module

  • All other participants: € 605 per module

Costs are exclusive course materials.

Attainment levels according to the CEFR:

  • Beginner: Russian A1 
  • Elementary: RU-A2minus
  • Elementary: RU-A2plus
  • Intermediate: RU-B1minus
  • Intermediate: RU-B1plus

Testimonials

'My personal experience with the Russian language course has overall been very positive.  I very much loved the way the course was given, since we took many approaches to familiarize the russian grammar and vocabularies. We had discussions, presentations, exchanged books and every now and then a quiz. I even got in touch with a very motivated student from Saint Petersburg who now helps me speak Russian and I help him speak Dutch. I also very much liked the discussions since this was new to me and it made me step out of my comfort zone by experimenting with argumentative phrases in Russian about interesting topics. I'd definitely recommend this course to anyone trying to learn a new language!'

Thomas van Sloun | Student SBE

'I definitely recommend the Russian courses. After two years of classes, I am proud of my progress, from barely being able to read the letters to now having fluent discussions in Russian. I particularly like the focus on talking. Experiencing that I could hold a conversation in Russian after only a couple weeks of classes was very rewarding. Of course, we also have an amazing teacher, Sonia, who is really patient and helpful. The courses deepened my knowledge of Russian culture and motivated me to practice my Russian also outside of class.'

Lee-Ann Lichtenberger | Student FASoS

Russian A1 (RU-A1)

Russian A1 is for people with no prior knowledge of Russian. Once you have completed this module, you will be able to:

  • read and write the Russian Alphabet;
  • greet people as well as introduce yourself and others;
  • ask for and provide personal details;
  • talk about your family;
  • describe your house, neighbourhood, city;
  • express your preference and interests;
  • conduct simple discussions in present and past tenses;
  • talk about daily activities such as work or sports.

Course material

Date: The registration form shows the actual available groups.

Certificate A1: upon completion of course requirements, you will receive a participation certificate by mail.

Russian A2minus (RU-A2minus)

Russian A2minus is suitable for people with basic knowledge of Russian (A1 level). Registering for this course is only possible when you have passed the previous course or had an intake with the teacher. After completing the second module, you will be able to:

  • conduct simple conversations about daily activities;

  • talk about food and cuisines, order a meal in a restaurant;

  • express likes and dislikes;

  • talk about the past and future plans about study, work and travels;​

  • talk about cinema, music and theater;

  • invite someone to a party, birthday, movie;

  • make a phone call and leave a message;

  • make an appointment;

  • describe the city and house you live in;

  • agree or disagree;

  • ask and give an opinion.

Course material

Date:  The registration form shows the actual available groups.

Certificate A2minus: upon completion of course requirements, you will receive a participation certificate by mail.

Russian A2plus (RU-A2plus)

Russian A2plus is suitable for people with basic knowledge of Russian (A2- level). Registering for this course is only possible when you have passed the previous course or had an intake with the teacher. After completing the third module, you will be able to:

  • engage in conversations about daily activities and interests;

  • talk about holidays and traditions in different countries;

  • talk about clothes and get around in the shops;
  • discuss the weather;
  • talk about families and relationships;

  • get around in the shops;

        

  • ask the way and give directions;

  • tell how you spent holidays, discuss travel plans;

  • ask for information and make a hotel reservation;

  • compare different types of houses, discuss plusses and minuses, rent a house;

  • talk about habits, discuss what a healthy lifestyle is, give advice;

  • talk about the future, short- and long-term plans;

  • engage in a discussion, express your point of view, agree or disagree with others.

Course material

Date:  The registration form shows the actual available groups.

Certificate A2plus: upon completion of course requirements, you will receive a participation certificate by mail.

Russian B1minus (RU-B1min)

Russian B1minus is suitable for people with intermediate knowledge of Russian (A2+ level). Registering for this course is only possible when you have passed the previous course or had an intake with the teacher. After completing the fourth module, you will be able to:

  • prepare and participate in discussions;
  • give presentations about a current topic;
  • talk about advantages and disadvantages, make comparisons;
  • express your feelings and your wishes;
  • share your opinion, express agreement and disagreement;
  • talk about daily routine, habits, discuss what a healthy lifestyle is, give an advice;
  • talk about the future, short- and longterm plans, discuss how technology changes our life;
  • talk about travelling, buy tickets, make reservations, get around at the train station or airport;
  • describe and compare the appearances of people, dress style, traces of character, give a compliment;
  • talk about heath, visit to a doctor, describe symptoms, talk about active life style.

Course material

Date:  The registration form shows the actual available groups.

Certificate B1minus: upon completion of course requirements, you will receive a participation certificate by mail.

Russian B1plus (RU-B1plus) (web-based RU-B1plus)

This Russian B1plus one-on-one interactive course is designed for students  with intermediate knowledge of Russian (B1minus level) according to the CEFR. Enrollment requires passing the previous course or a successful intake with the teacher. This program spans 8 dynamic modules, blending interactive sessions with your dedicated teacher and independent study.

After completing the B1+ course, you will be able to:

  • Lead and Participate: Advance your communication skills to lead discussions and express your opinions with confidence. Learn to agree, disagree, and build strong arguments.

  • Public Transport Talks: Discuss current issues and brainstorm solutions for public transport.

  • People and Style: Describe appearances, dress styles, and character traits. Give compliments and compare beauty standards across eras.

  • Health Conversations: Talk about health, visits to the doctor, symptoms, and promote an active, healthy lifestyle.

  • Food Culture: Share insights on food cultures, explain recipes, and recommend the best restaurants.

  • Education Insights: Weigh the pros and cons of modern education, give exam preparation tips, and share your language learning experiences.

  • Career and Future Plans: Discuss career paths, education backgrounds, work experiences, and future aspirations.

For more detailed information about the course click here

Course material

Facts:

  • Entirely online: web-based and interactive
  • Engaging Sessions: Practice speaking directly with your teacher one-on-one.
  • Focus on Fluency: Sharpen your speaking and listening abilities for real-world communication.
  • Independent Study: Enhance your skills with effective online tools and textbook at your own tempo.

Date:  starting date and schedule are determined in consultation with the teacher, after online registration

Certificate B1plus: upon completion of course requirements, you will receive a participation certificate by mail.

Registration and intake

You can register to a course by using our registration form. After registering, you will receive a confirmation.

If you already have some knowledge of the language and would like to join a non-beginners group then you can email Sonia Bourdonskaia to make an appointment, free of charge. Intake by appointment, only on Wednesdays. The appointment will take place at the Maastricht University Language Centre or online.

Book an intake well before the course is scheduled to begin. This process will make it easier to make the appointment, and more likely that there will still be an available spot in the module that’s right for you.

Costs per course

  • UM students: € 475 per module
  • UM staff and alumni: € 475 per module
  • All other participants: € 605 per module

The costs are exclusive course materials.

Certificate and ECTS credits

After successfully completing a course, you will receive a certificate. To be eligible for a certificate, you must attend at least 12 of the 14 lessons, be present at the final exam and have satisfactory results. One course is worth 3 ECTS credits. Whether these credits are acknowledged depends on your faculty. Please consult with your faculty / home university if these credits will be accepted as part of your programme.