Russian has a new alphabet and a case system that does the work word order does in English. We teach it from the alphabet up, and complete beginners can start. Al Khawarizmi Institute was established in 2011.
Where can I take Russian classes?
You can take Russian with us in person at our main branch in Simkanieh, in the Chouf, or live on Zoom from anywhere in Lebanon or abroad, at the same fee. Russian runs when there is enough demand, so the first step is to register your interest on WhatsApp. A group opens when enough students are ready. Wondering how long it takes? Read how long a language takes, by level.
Russian groups run when there is enough demand. There is no fixed start date, so the next step is to register your interest on WhatsApp: tell us your level (or that you are starting from zero) and when you can study. A group opens when enough students are ready, and registering and paying in advance holds your place.
The Cyrillic alphabet comes first
Cyrillic has 33 letters. Some are letters you already know that sound the same, some are letters you know that sound different, and some are genuinely new.
What makes Russian hard, and what makes it easier than you think
Being told a language is “hard” is not useful. Which parts are hard is:
- Cases are the real work. Russian has six, and they change the ending of a noun depending on its job in the sentence. This is the part that takes real practice.
- Verbs come in pairs. One form for a completed action, one for an ongoing one. It feels strange for about a month and then becomes a habit.
- Spelling is honest. Unlike English or French, Russian is written close to how it sounds. Once you know the alphabet you can read almost any word aloud, including ones you have never seen.
- No articles at all. No “a” or “the” to get wrong.
- Word order is flexible. Because the endings carry the meaning, you can move words around without breaking the sentence.
How the courses run
Russian courses start with a free, written placement test (20–30 minutes), and complete beginners can start. Groups meet in the morning, afternoon or evening, and there are Saturday classes, once a group is running.
As a reference, group courses start from $150 and a level is about 20 hours of class. Length and fees vary with your starting level, so we confirm both with you before you enrol.
Levels, exams and certificates
- Russian levels follow the CEFR scale, A1 to C2, and complete beginners can start.
- An exam at the end of each level decides the move up.
- Each level ends with a certificate stating the course completed and its dates, recognised by the Lebanese Ministry of Education and Higher Education.
- Homework is set. We recommend 1–2 hours of study outside class for every hour in class.
- You keep the same teacher throughout a level.
In person or online
Classes run in person at our main branch in Simkanieh (the Chouf), and most courses are also available as live Zoom groups for students elsewhere in Lebanon or abroad — taught live by a teacher, not recorded, at the same fee as in person. We also have a branch in Aley: ask us which groups are running there. Our Beirut (Mar Elias) and Choueifat branches are paused for now; students from those areas can study online or at Simkanieh.
Not sure which branch is nearest, or whether an online group suits your schedule better? Register your interest on WhatsApp — tell us where you are and ask about the options.
Fees, levels and timing
- A free placement test first. It is written, takes 20–30 minutes, and is usually taken at the branch. Complete beginners are welcome.
- Six levels, A1 to C2. As a reference, a level is about 20 hours of class, then an end-of-level exam; the exact length depends on the course and is confirmed after your placement test. If the test shows you are ready, you can skip a level.
- Two sessions a week, usually 1–2 hours each, in morning, afternoon or evening groups, plus Saturday classes. Russian groups open when there is enough demand rather than on a fixed monthly date, and you keep the same teacher for the whole level.
- Holding a place. To hold a place on a waiting list, you register and pay in advance.
- Fees. Group courses start from $150 (USD) — a reference figure; we confirm the fee for your course and level before you enrol. No registration fee. Pay in cash, by Whish or by OMT. Online classes cost the same as in person.
- A certificate for every level, recognised by the Lebanese Ministry of Education and Higher Education.
- Prefer one-to-one? Private one-to-one lessons are charged per hour, in blocks of 20 hours.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to learn the Cyrillic alphabet first?
Yes. You need to read Cyrillic to use the language, and complete beginners can start from the alphabet.
How long does it take to hold a conversation in Russian?
As a reference, one level is about 20 hours of class. How quickly you hold a conversation depends on your starting point and how much you practise outside class.
When does the next Russian group start?
Russian groups run when there is enough demand, so there is no fixed start date. Register your interest on WhatsApp with your level and the times you can study. A group opens when enough students are ready. To hold a place on the waiting list, you register and pay in advance.
How do I know which Russian level to join?
You take a placement exam first. It is a free written test of 20–30 minutes, and it places you in the group that matches your level.
Can I take Russian classes online?
It can be available online, so ask us. Online courses are live with a teacher on Zoom, not recorded, in online groups of their own, at the same fee as in person.
How long is a course and what does it cost?
As a reference, group courses start from $150 and a level is about 20 hours of class, usually in two sessions a week. Both vary with the course and your level, so we confirm the exact length and fee after your free placement test. Register your interest on WhatsApp: we answer straight away during opening hours, Monday to Saturday, 8am to 8pm.
Do I get a certificate for each Russian level?
Yes. Each level ends with a certificate stating the course completed and its dates, recognised by the Lebanese Ministry of Education and Higher Education. An exam at the end of each level decides the move up.
Can I pause a Russian course or switch group?
Pausing is possible in some circumstances but not recommended. A student who has to stop for a valid reason can continue later in a new class, and you can switch group if your schedule changes.
Related courses
- All language courses — every language we teach
- Arabic Courses for Non-Native Speakers
- French Courses in Lebanon
- English Language Courses — all levels, plus IELTS, TOEFL, SAT and Cambridge preparation
Register your interest in Russian
Tell us why you need Russian and by when — work, research, family, or simply being able to follow the conversation. Register your interest on WhatsApp — we answer straight away during opening hours — or call 00961 71 27 67 13 if you would rather talk it through.
Questions about fees or the next group? Message us and we will reply during opening hours, Monday to Saturday, 8am to 8pm: Enroll Now.