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The Slova blog

Honest writing about learning Russian.

Vocabulary, cases, conjugation, the alphabet, and the long road from A1 to B1 - written for learners who want depth, not gamification.

Topic
Strategy

Best app to learn Russian in 2026: 5 options compared

Slova, Babbel, Pimsleur, Rosetta Stone, Duolingo - compared by grammar depth, cost, and real-world results.

Vocab

Russian words in English: 40+ loanwords you already know

Sputnik, tsar, babushka, mammoth. 40+ Russian words hiding in plain sight in English, with the surprising stories behind them.

Culture

The best Russian movies to watch in 2026

Russian films ranked by how much they'll actually improve your language - from Soviet classics to thrillers on Netflix.

Culture

Russian proverbs: 30 sayings that still hit hard

30 essential proverbs with translation, literal meaning, and cultural context. The ones Russians actually use.

Language

Russian curse words explained

What Russian mat actually is, why it hits so hard, and what it reveals about the grammar. A real linguistic breakdown.

Culture

Russian Easter: traditions, dates, and phrases

How Russian Orthodox Easter differs from Western Easter, the food traditions, and the phrases every learner should know.

Difficulty

Is Russian hard to learn?

An honest per-skill breakdown - alphabet, pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary - for learners weighing the cost.

Timelines

How long does it take to learn Russian?

Realistic timelines by CEFR level - from first words to comfortable conversation. FSI data meets real-world experience.

Methods

How to learn Russian fast

7 evidence-based methods that actually work - active recall, spaced repetition, production over recognition, and more.

Strategy

The best way to learn Russian in 2026

A method comparison - classroom, tutors, apps, textbooks, and immersion. What works, what doesn't, and what to combine.