It is always a good idea to weigh both the pros and cons of learning any new skill and it is the same with learning the Russian language.  Before that let us understand a few things about the Russian language. 

Russian is the official language of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. It is also widely used throughout the Caucasus, Central Asia, and to a certain extent in Baltic states and Ukraine. It is an East-Slavic language that belongs to the Indo-European languages family. 

It is one of the six official languages of The United Nations and is also an official language of many other international organizations like UNESCO, WHO, International Atomic Energy Agency, World Bank etc. With approximately 260 million speakers it is the world’s eighth most spoken language.

Russian is written using the Cyrillic alphabet which closely resembles the Greek alphabet. There are a few additional letters invented in Russian for Slavic sounds that are not found in Greek. 

Russian is not considered to be a very easy language to learn. Hence before taking the plunge, it is a good idea to weigh all the pros and cons of learning Russian.

It is the language of space

Russian Soyuz spacecraft is the only way to travel to the International Space Station, after NASA’s space shuttle programme ended in 2011. As all the controls are in Russian, it is important for every astronaut to learn this language. Depending on the interpretation services would be difficult as it would take a very long time. 

You can enjoy Russian literature in its original form

Whether it is the work of Dostoevsky, Anton Chekhov, Maxim Gorky or Sergey Yesenin, learning Russian can always help you enjoy their classic literary work in its original form. Many times it is very difficult to find an English equivalent for a Russian expression. Thus, it can be a greater pleasure to enjoy these classics in their original form. 

You can understand the Russian culture better

A language is closely related to its culture. Whether it is Russian art and architecture, food and drink, theatre and music or folklore and holidays, you can learn about and enjoy all of them much better if you understand the language. Understanding the language would also help in understanding their traditions and customs, their values, family relations and many other social aspects. This helps you appreciate your own culture better. 

A new language always helps in better personal growth

It is proven that learning a new language can be very beneficial in many ways for an individual. You can develop better cognitive abilities, multi-tasking, improve memory and even better logical thinking. 

Now let us look at some of the cons of learning Russian. 

It is considered to be difficult to learn the language

With a new script and different pronunciation, Russian is considered to be difficult to learn the language. This means you would have to put in a lot of extra effort and spend a good deal of time learning this language. So make sure the time that you invest is worth learning this language. 

It can become expensive

Though many claims to learn a language on their own for free, it may not be possible for everyone. Learning from a teacher could sometimes become expensive. 

Learning  just the basic Russian may not be of much help

Unlike English, where you can learn the basics and get away, basic Russian may not help you much.  With a whole range of verb conjugations, noun genders and exceptions in grammar rules, understanding making use of Russian in everyday context can take time. 

Learning a new language is always beneficial in many ways. However, since you are investing a good amount of time and money in learning Russian, it is a good idea to weigh all your pros and cons. Usually, the pros of learning a new language are very high when compared to the cons. 

Your reason to learn Russian in the first place could make a huge difference. Ensure that it is a reason that motivates you to practice and learn even when you want to quit. 

Find different ways to make the learning fun, interesting and engaging so that your time is not wasted. 

You can always start learning from a teacher either online or offline and supplement this learning further with other resources which can include both free and paid options. 

If you are interested in learning Russian, you can book a free demo session with Multibhashi.