The lessons at Petrion are given by certified teachers of "Russian as a foreign language", or "RKI". Our teachers are native speakers. We use actual and progressive methods of teaching the Russian language. Our teachers, apart from teaching, are involved in developping learning methods and scientific research.

Apart from the teaching material developped by our own teachers, other methods used at the beginners level are "Perwye Shagi", "Russkoe Slovo" and "Zhyli Byli". At the other levels, a learning method is chosen depending on the level and goals of the course participant.

Starting levels

The lessons "Russian for foreigners" are given on the next levels:
- zero (not knowing anything)
- basic (typical level after a beginners course)
- intermediate (typical level if studying Russian once a week for several years)
- advanced (you read and speak decently, know the russian grammar well, but still much possibilities for improvement)
- fluent (you communicate almost perfectly, on specific elements you might want to enforce your knowledge/skills, level of a teacher)

Attention: a certificate is not required to start on a certain level.

Group or private lessons

We offer both group lessons as private lessons. A private course is the most efficient way to learn Russian, due to its individual attention, the high amount of interaction and feedback, and due to the education material/speed adjusted to the individual. Private tuition can also be related to a certain theme, for example medicine, law or business russian.

The advantage of a group course is the social atmosphere during the lessons and a higher interaction between course participants (both during the lessons as at the homework). We work only in small groups (up to 5 people). In this way every person can actively be included in to the lessons. No sleeping in the back of the class!

We offer group lessons on the levels "zero" and "basic". Starting from the intermediate level, it is our experience that groups are not efficient: what people learnt in the past and want to learn is on these levels to different to form groups.

When booking a group course, we guarantee that you get lessons on your level (we do not mix the levels "zero" and "basic"). In case a group can not be formed on your level (this might happen in the low season), the group courses are transferred to an equivalent amount of private lessons without any extra charge.

How difficult is it to learn Russian?

Learning Russian is not the same as learning english or spanish. Especially in the beginning the Russian language can be very hard. The cyrillic alphabet and (for most people) uncommon word structures make you sweat at the start. But if you are on your way, then you will notice that the process of learning the language goes faster and easier. The Russian language is a logical language. Therefore it is possible for anyone with persistence to learn this language.

Our language lessons are aimed at practical applicability, with the accent on verbal skills. It is however, very important to understand that you can't without a basic knowledge of grammar (even if your goal is just to get a level to survive). It is not german (where a wrong chosen case is hardly noticed). An insufficient knowledge of grammar simply results in people not understanding you. That is why still a significant part of the course focus on grammar and at practicing the grammar.

Learning the language in the country where it is spoken

In the country where the language is spoken, the learning process goes significantly faster. The lessons don't stop when leaving the classroom. Be prepared to have exams in every shop, the public transport, during museum visits and at a dinner in the restaurant.

The sound-structure of the Russian language is difficult. If you do not live in a Russian-speaking country you probably very little are confronted with the language. It is very important to get your ears used to it.