COMPLETE UKRAINIAN COURSE

DISCOVER UKRAINE: THE COUNTRY OF FREEDOM

Welcome on behalf of the Ukrainian Institute!

If you wish to learn Ukrainian you are in right place. We have created the world's most Complete Ukrainian Master Course to take you from absolute beginner to native speaker in 30 days. In this section you will find all the information and answers you need about learning Ukrainian, such as: the best learning method, reasons to learn this language, the costs associated, the difficulty spikes to watch out for, how to improve your prior skills if you are stuck in a plateau, as well as the differences and similarities to other commonly spoken languages.

First of all, you should know that Ukrainian, known as “Українська мова” in its native form, is a language that holds a central place in Eastern Europe and carries a rich cultural and historical heritage. It belongs to the East Slavic branch of the Indo-European language family, closely related to Belarusian and sharing historical ties with Russian, while maintaining its own distinct identity. Ukrainian is primarily spoken in Ukraine, where it is the official state language, but it is also widely used by Ukrainian communities in neighbouring countries such as Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, and Moldova, as well as by a large global diaspora. With around 40 million speakers worldwide, Ukrainian is one of the most widely spoken Slavic languages and is characterised by its beautiful melodic sound.

Ukrainian is a difficult language to learn. It’s distinctive features can be found in its Vocabulary, Grammar and Pronunciation, which have evolved independently while incorporating influences from Old Church Slavonic, German, French, Greek and Latin over centuries. The challenge with many learning methods is that they only take you part of the way. Mobile apps are fun and motivating, but they often stay on the surface, giving you basic vocabulary without real depth in grammar or conversation. Live courses offer great interaction with teachers but can be inflexible and expensive, making them difficult to sustain long term. University programs are academically rigorous, but they demand years of commitment and come with high living and tuition costs. Textbooks provide structure and clarity, but they lack immersion and often don't provide the practical information that learners actually need.

If you are serious about learning Ukrainian, commit to a method that makes you actually speak the language. With the right system, you can go beyond memorised phrases and truly speak, read, and think in Ukrainian. The journey is demanding, but the rewards — access to Ukrainian news, cinema, music, history, personal connections and work opportunities — are immense. The time to start is now, with our Complete Ukrainian Master Course that has been designed to give you nothing less than complete fluency.

NATURAL METHOD TO LEARN UKRAINIAN

Our language courses are based on the Natural Method, also known as the Natural Approach, developed by linguist Stephen Krashen and language educator Tracy Terrell. This approach focuses on creating an environment that mimics how individuals naturally acquire their first language, emphasizing comprehension, communication, and a stress-free learning experience.

While other language courses rely on rote memorization and drills, a heavy academic approach to grammar, repetitive exercises, expensive and time-consuming formal tutoring sessions or ineffective and shallow phone apps, we will have you gradually build your language skills like a child learning his/her mother tongue.

There are essentially 5 Core Principles in the Natural Method:

1. Comprehensible Input (i+1)
   Learners acquire a language when they are exposed to materials slightly beyond their current level of understanding (represented as i+1). By hearing or reading content they mostly understand, learners can gradually internalize new vocabulary and grammar structures.

2. Focus on Communication
   The Natural Method prioritizes fluency and the ability to communicate over grammatical perfection. Errors are seen as a natural part of the learning process and are not heavily penalised, reducing anxiety and encouraging learners to express themselves.

3. Emotional Element
   Emotional factors like anxiety, motivation and enjoyment greatly influence language acquisition. When learners are in a relaxed state, achieved by removing the anxiety linked to the pressure to produce perfect grammar, it is easier for them to get through the initial phase which is arguably the hardest and where most give up. It is also proven to be easier for the brain to absorb and retain new information if the learner is actually interested in the language and its underlying culture, which is why he have included extensive cultural insights, historical and modern pop culture elements in our language course.

4. Stages of Language Acquisition
   Scholars have identified the following stages in the language acquisition process of young children:

   • Pre-production: The "silent period," where learners focus on listening and understanding without speaking.

   • Early Production: Learners begin using simple words and phrases.

   • Speech Emergence: Learners can construct longer sentences and express ideas more freely.

   • Intermediate Fluency: Learners develop more complex language skills and can engage in meaningful conversations.

   • Advanced Fluency: Learners achieve near-native proficiency.

     The goal of our courses is thus to mimic the natural language acquisition process without overwhelming the learner with long and tedious lessons but ensuring gradual gains so that he/she remains committed to his/her fluency goal.

5. Meaningful Interaction
   Instead of rote memorization of single words and grammar rules over and over, the Natural Method encourages activities that involve real-world communication to help retain information. This is why we have included storytelling and role-playing scenarios that simulate everyday situations, with exercises that allow the learner to understand his/her current level and thus improve upon specific elements.

EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE

If you are serious about learning Ukrainian, we recommend that you download the Complete Ukrainian Master Course.

You will receive all the information available on the website in a convenient portable digital format as well as additional contents: over 15.000 Vocabulary Words and Useful Phrases, in-depth explanations and exercises for all Grammar Rules, exclusive articles with Cultural Insights that you won't find in any other textbook so you can amaze your Ukrainian friends or business partners thanks to your knowledge of their country and history.

With a one-time purchase you will also get 10 hours of Podcasts to Practice your Ukrainian listening skills as well as Dialogues with Exercises to achieve your own Master Certificate.

Start speaking Ukrainian today!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

5 reasons to learn the Ukrainian

1. It's Fun! Join a Unique Club
   Ukrainian is a beautiful and expressive Slavic language that offers learners a rewarding challenge with its rich vocabulary, melodic sound, and flexible grammar. While related to other Slavic languages, Ukrainian has its own distinct character and rhythm, giving you a fresh linguistic perspective. Spoken by around 40 million people worldwide, Ukrainian connects you to a large yet often underrepresented linguistic community. Learning Ukrainian means gaining a rare and meaningful skill that sets you apart and allows you to engage deeply with a culture few outsiders truly understand.

2. Gain a Deeper Understanding of European History and Culture
   Learning Ukrainian opens the door to a fascinating and resilient history at the crossroads of Europe. Ukraine’s past has been shaped by Kyivan Rus’, the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Cossack Hetmanate, the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union, and its modern struggle for independence. Through the language, you gain insight into Ukraine’s literature, folklore, traditions, and national identity—one built on perseverance, creativity, and a strong sense of freedom.

3. Ukrainians Appreciate When You Speak Their Language
   The Ukrainian language is a powerful symbol of identity, culture, and resilience. When you make the effort to speak Ukrainian—even just a few words—it is deeply appreciated. Ukrainians are warm, welcoming, and often genuinely touched when foreigners choose their language. A simple “Pryvit!” (Hello!) or “Diakuiu!” (Thank you!) can instantly create connection and mutual respect.

4. Professional and Humanitarian Opportunities

   Ukrainian is increasingly valuable in international relations, journalism, humanitarian work, education, and business. Ukraine’s growing ties with Europe and the global community have increased demand for Ukrainian speakers in NGOs, diplomacy, media, translation, and cultural projects. Knowing the language gives you direct access to local perspectives and allows you to contribute more meaningfully in professional or volunteer settings connected to Ukraine.

5. Discover Ukraine Beyond the Headlines
   Ukraine is a country of stunning landscapes, vibrant cities, and rich traditions. From the historic streets of Kyiv and Lviv to the Carpathian Mountains, Black Sea coast, and picturesque villages, Ukraine offers unforgettable experiences for travelers. Learning the language lets you go beyond surface-level tourism—understanding people, stories, humor, and everyday life in a way that no guidebook can offer.

Why learn Ukrainian?

The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) of the United States Department of State classifies Ukrainian as a Category III language, meaning it is more challenging for native English speakers to learn than most Western European languages, but not as difficult as languages such as Arabic, Chinese, or Japanese.

Several factors contribute to the difficulty of learning Ukrainian for English speakers:

1. Unfamiliar Vocabulary – Although Ukrainian belongs to the Indo-European family, it is a Slavic language, and its vocabulary differs significantly from English and Romance languages. While some words may resemble those in other Slavic languages, many core terms feel unfamiliar to English learners. For example:

   • Друг (friend) – no resemblance to the English word

   • Субота (Saturday) – different from Western European equivalents

   • Сьогодні (today) – entirely distinct from familiar European forms

2. Complex Grammar – Ukrainian uses a case system (seven grammatical cases) to show relationships between words in a sentence. Instead of relying primarily on word order and prepositions as English does, Ukrainian changes noun endings depending on their grammatical function (subject, object, location, possession, etc.), which requires learners to think differently about sentence structure.

3. Verb Aspects and Conjugation – Ukrainian verbs express aspect (perfective vs. imperfective), meaning learners must choose different verb forms depending on whether an action is completed or ongoing. Combined with verb conjugations for person, tense, and mood, this adds an extra layer of complexity not found in English.

4. Flexible Word Order – While Ukrainian has a standard word order, it allows considerable flexibility for emphasis and nuance. This freedom can be confusing for beginners, as the same sentence can be structured in multiple ways depending on what the speaker wants to highlight.

Our Ukrainian language course is designed to maximize learning efficiency and help you reach conversational fluency in just 30 days. Instead of overwhelming you with grammar theory, the course introduces structures gradually and practically, allowing you to speak, understand, and participate in real-life conversations from day one.

How difficult is Ukrainian?

One of the biggest obstacles to learning Ukrainian isn’t necessarily the grammar—it’s the lack of clear, structured learning resources that effectively bridge the gap between beginner materials and advanced content. Many learners reach an early conversational level and then struggle to move forward because there are not enough courses, textbooks, or accessible resources designed specifically for that transition stage.

Unlike languages such as Japanese or Korean, which benefit from massive global exposure through pop culture (anime, K-dramas, music, and film), Ukrainian media and culture have historically had limited international visibility. As a result, fewer people have attempted to learn Ukrainian, which has led to a smaller and more fragmented selection of textbooks, online courses, and modern language-learning tools—especially for independent learners.

This challenge is compounded by the fact that Ukrainian, while spoken by tens of millions of people, is less represented in international language education systems compared to major global languages. Ukrainian-speaking communities outside Ukraine exist across Europe and beyond, but learners often struggle to find well-structured immersion opportunities, guided practice, and learner-friendly content that goes beyond basic phrases and survival language.

We recognize that this lack of high-quality, progressive Ukrainian learning resources is a major barrier, and our goal is to bridge that gap by creating content that helps learners confidently move beyond the beginner level and into real, functional language use.

If you have any suggestions for future lessons or articles, feel free to send them to info@learnukrainian.org — we’d love to hear from you and tailor our content to better support your learning journey.

Why can't I improve in Ukrainian?

Ukrainian, spoken by around 40 million people, is the official language of Ukraine and a central pillar of the country’s national identity. While related to Russian, Ukrainian has its own grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary, and culture . Learning Ukrainian gives you direct access to Ukraine’s literature, history, music, and contemporary culture.

Russian has long been one of the most widely spoken languages in Eastern Europe and Eurasia, with an estimated 250 million speakers worldwide (including native and second-language speakers). It has an extensive literary tradition, a vast body of historical texts, and remains commonly used across several post-Soviet states. From a purely numerical perspective, Russian undeniably offers access to a larger pool of speakers and more learning materials.

From a linguistic perspective, both languages are Slavic and share similarities such as grammatical cases, verb aspects, and flexible word order. However, Ukrainian is often described as more melodic in pronunciation and includes vocabulary influences from Polish and other Central European languages, making it noticeably distinct from Russian.

From a practical standpoint, Ukrainian is the stronger choice if you are interested in:

• Living in or traveling through Ukraine, where Ukrainian is required in official and public contexts

• Supporting language preservation and cultural independence

• Engaging with modern Ukrainian culture and history

• Working with Ukrainian communities, NGOs, humanitarian or cultural projects

Russian may still be relevant if your primary focus is on:

• Reading classic Russian literature

• Studying Soviet-era history and archival materials

• Communicating across a broader post-Soviet region outside Ukraine

Today, language learning is increasingly about connection, culture, and values, not only reach or speaker numbers. Increasingly more learners choose Ukrainian because it reflects Ukraine’s sovereignty, cultural resilience, and the desire to engage with the country with its official language.

Should I learn Ukrainian or Russian?

One of the biggest obstacles to learning Ukrainian isn’t necessarily the grammar—it’s the lack of clear, structured learning resources that effectively bridge the gap between beginner materials and advanced content. Many learners reach an early conversational level and then struggle to move forward because there are not enough courses, textbooks, or accessible resources designed specifically for that transition stage.

Unlike languages such as Japanese or Korean, which benefit from massive global exposure through pop culture (anime, K-dramas, music, and film), Ukrainian media and culture have historically had limited international visibility. As a result, fewer people have attempted to learn Ukrainian, which has led to a smaller and more fragmented selection of textbooks, online courses, and modern language-learning tools—especially for independent learners.

This challenge is compounded by the fact that Ukrainian, while spoken by tens of millions of people, is less represented in international language education systems compared to major global languages. Ukrainian-speaking communities outside Ukraine exist across Europe and beyond, but learners often struggle to find well-structured immersion opportunities, guided practice, and learner-friendly content that goes beyond basic phrases and survival language.

We recognize that this lack of high-quality, progressive Ukrainian learning resources is a major barrier, and our goal is to bridge that gap by creating content that helps learners confidently move beyond the beginner level and into real, functional language use.

If you have any suggestions for future lessons or articles, feel free to send them to info@learnukrainian.org — we’d love to hear from you and tailor our content to better support your learning journey.

How similar is Ukrainian to other languages?

Here are 5 proven methods that we have developed as language learners (not only as teachers!) that will help you achieve complete mastery of the Ukrainan language within 30 days:

• 1. Immerse Yourself Completely

  • Surround Yourself: Change the language on your phone, computer, tv, console, etc. and read only news and articles in Ukrainian. Seeing the language everyday will force your brain to adapt and remember.

  • Engaging Content: Listen to native music, radio stations, song playlists, watch original Ukrainian movies and other series (if Ukrainian voiceover or subs are available). This will not only help you master the language faster but you will also learn about the Culture and History of Ukraine. This will help you stay motivated and reduce the initial frustration.

  • Make Mistakes: Travel to Ukraine and don't be afraid to engage with the locals. People will be amazed at your efforts to learn their language! Don't be afraid to speak, because the more mistakes you make the quicker you will progress.

  2. Focus on the Most Useful Words and Phrases

  • Study Efficiency: Learn the top 2,000 Vocabulary words in the language, as they often cover 80-90% of everyday conversations. Learning takes time but that doesn't mean it has to take very long to see results.

  • Real Conversations: Start by practising with Common phrases you'll actually use in real-life situations, like greetings, ordering food, asking for directions, etc.

  3. Use Memorization Techniques

  • Spaced Repetition: Our Courses are based on spaced spaced repetition systems (SRS) to help you memorize words and grammar in the long term and with miminal effort by showing them to you in progression.

  • Mnemonic Devices: trick your brain and speed up the learning process by trying to think of an example or "story" for each new word / expression you struggle to remember.

  4. Learn the Language based on the Context

  • Practice Makes Perfect: Remember that your grammar doesn't have to be perfect as long as you can be understood! There is no shame in using simple phrases to get you point across.

  • Shadowing Technique: Repeat in your head after native speakers in real-time while listening or watching videos with original subtitles to improve your comprehension.

  5. Consistency is Everything

  • Daily Practice: Even just 30 minutes a day is more effective than sporadic, long day study sessions. Take breaks often when reading and always have fun to increase productivity.

  • Compound Results: Small, achievable goals like reading 5 pages daily, or even just watching a single movie or series episode in Ukrainian every evening produce results over time if you don't see them immediately.

How to become fluent in Ukrainian in 30 days?

EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE

If you are serious about learning Ukrainian, we recommend that you download the Complete Ukrainian Master Course.

You will receive all the information available on the website in a convenient portable digital format as well as additional contents: over 15.000 Vocabulary Words and Useful Phrases, in-depth explanations and exercises for all Grammar Rules, exclusive articles with Cultural Insights that you won't find in any other textbook so you can amaze your Ukrainian friends or business partners thanks to your knowledge of their country and history.

With a one-time purchase you will also get 10 hours of Podcasts to Practice your Ukrainian listening skills as well as Dialogues with Exercises to achieve your own Master Certificate.

Start speaking Ukrainian today!