8 ways to learn Russian

So you want to learn Russian! It is not easy, and in order to assist you in your goal to learn the difficult but rich Russian language, we have compiled a list of study tips. Enjoy!

1. The absolute best way to learn Russian is to live in a Russian-speaking country. If you hear the language every day, make friends in a new land and experience a new culture, you will learn Russian quickly. And luckily, the Russian-speaking world is wide: you can learn Russian not only in Russia, but also in Ukraine, where Russian is the most common language in most major cities, and many other countries of the former USSR.
2. To learn Russian, you have to speak it as often as possible. Experience listening to and talking to native speakers is the most effective way to increase your fluency in Russian. If you live in a major city, it's easier to learn Russian than you may think - the Russian and Ukrainian Diasporas are wide-spread, and many immigrants are happy to teach others their native language. But even speaking to non-native speakers will help you to learn Russian if you practice regularly.
3. A language is not just a collection of words, but the territory of a culture. To learn Russian, one must understand the culture that exists in Russia today – the clashing and blending of Soviet culture, traditional Russian life, and modern development make the contemporary Russian culture a dynamic one. Reading Russian-language newspapers and watching Russian news programs will give you a window into the modern life of Russians and the Russian language too.
4. The politics and programs of the Soviet Union, for better or for worse, had a huge affect on the Russian language, and learning the history of these times will give you a view into the Russian mentality. The -isms, acronyms and hymns of the U.S.S.R. elbowed through lines and found their places in the dictionary. Learn Russian by experiencing for yourself the films, books, and music of Soviet Russia.
5. Although the spirit of the Soviet Union is strongly felt today in the language and culture, to learn Russian it is also important to know the greater Russian history - the rise of the Slavs, the Tataro-Mongol Yoke, Tsardom and Russia's empire. The exploits of Aleksandr Nevsky, the reforms of Peter the Great, serfdom and reform, all this and more affects the Russian language to this day. Learn Russian history, and you will have made another step toward learning Russian.
6. The traditional culture that ages ago gave birth to the Russian language is alive and well, and understanding traditional Russian culture will help you to learn Russian. Not only cooking and clothing give Russian its particularities, but the traditions associated with everything from greetings to weddings are deeply ingrained in the Russian mentality and language. Knowing this, you can learn Russian well.
7. Russians know their literature, and educated speech is filled with references and quotes from poets and prose-writers, classic and contemporary, the origins of which even many Russians do not know. Learn Ilf and Petrov, learn Pushkin, learn Tolstoy, and you will learn Russian. To learn Russian it is necessary to read not only textbooks, but to learn the live language used by writers of genius.
8. Marry a Russian! If all else fails, you are bound to learn Russian with a Russian husband or wife. All kidding aside, many foreigners studying in Russia and Ukraine find themselves falling in love with Slavic charm and starting families. And no way to learn Russian could be more natural than living with and loving a spouse and family, plus you will be able to learn Russian arguing!