Is the Russian language worth learning?

Russian is one of the most spoken languages in the world. More than 260 million people around the world speak it. It is not only is it the official language of Russia, but it has official status in Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. It’s also spoken regularly in Israel, the Baltics, China, Ukraine, Armenia and even the United States. It’s sometimes considered the most spoken language in Europe, and, according to Ethnologue, Russian is the 8th most spoken language in the world.

Being a Slavic language, the Russian language has many similarities to languages such as Polish, Ukrainian, Bulgarian and Czech. It is estimated that there are around 850,000 Russian speakers in the United States alone. In former Soviet Bloc countries, people who were in their 20s when the USSR dissolved have largely retained their Russian. Despite the cultural hostility the language still sometimes faces, it remains a sort of lingua franca in eastern Europe.

The emergence of a new Russian middle class has led many Russians to travel abroad, marking the tourism industry. If you work in tourism, knowing how to speak Russian is definitely something to put on your CV. Due to the fact that CEOs and older members of Russian corporations speak little English, Russian companies have needed more and more qualified English speakers and translators. Russia is currently a member of the G20, the European Council, the United Nations, UNESCO and the World Trade Organization. Russian has once again become a language commonly heard during diplomatic exchanges.

Having language mastery on your resume makes you stand out, even if the position you’re applying for doesn’t require it. More so if it’s a language as difficult as Russian because it instantly brings out you as serious, dedicated, resourceful and persevering individual – all of which are highly sought after qualities in applicants.

You can learn a lot about Russian culture through its literature and language. Tolstoy, Dostoyevsky and Pushkin have imparted some of the best reads in Russian. What needs six words to express a concept in English, can be expressed in two or three words of Russian. The sparse use of functional words such as articles, “helper” verbs, connectors, and some prepositions – leaves more room for meaningful words.

From traditional music to the slightly more contemporary Red Army Choir and the Romantic music movement, music has always played a large role in Russian identity. Russia offers classics to modernized and mixed with the global culture, all while remaining true to its roots. 

Your ability to speak Russian will deeply enrich your travel experience and give you memories for a lifetime. Russians are wary of foreigners and very few speak English. Therefore, it ends up limiting your interaction and communication with the Russians due to the language barrier. However, Russians instantly become welcoming and friendly when you make an effort to communicate.

Another advantage of knowing the language is that you’ll avoid tourist traps. It also helps you lower your taxi fare. You are viewed more as a local than a tourist.  

Learning Russian will help you broaden your horizons and establish professional relationships or forge new friendships with people who share the love of the Russian language, culture, literature, music or any other topic . Making Russian-speaking friends is one of the best ways to learn Russian idiomatic expressions and slang!

Learning Russian can help you study other languages, understand your own language better, besides changing your perspective about how to perceive other languages and understand the world around you. 

Studying Russian for 3 years at university can give you access to a number of high-paying jobs, such as a Russian teacher, an English teacher for Russian students, or a translator or interpreter. The United States government pays good money for Russian translators, and as a critical language, the government offers fully-funded study abroad programs to help students learn Russian. Specialization in this language brings with it many benefits, both in your professional and personal life.

Passion and interest are also the most important things that help you learn a language. Learning Russian will help you

read Russian literature, enjoy Russian music, talk to your significant other, if they are Russian, add a lifetime experience to your Moscow travel etcetera. 

Follow your heart. If its the streets of St. Petersburg on a winter evening, or in the Red Square covered in snow, beckoning you, stop snoozing it, and start learning Russian! Couchsurfing is one great idea, because you can meet native Russian speakers and practice your language skills for cheap. Russian conversation partners will accelerate learning.

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