How to Learn Ukrainian: 6 Effective Ways to Learn Ukrainian Quickly

Kelsey Wetherbee Published on December 21, 2022

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Do you want to learn Ukrainian but haven’t found the right resource to fit your learning style?

In this guide, I’ll introduce you to the best language resources and study methods for learning Ukrainian. To help you find a tool that fits your learning style, I’ve included the best Ukrainian apps, textbooks, online courses, tutoring platforms, YouTube channels, and podcasts. This way, you have access to different types of resources, both traditional and modern.

Our team has over 5 decades of combined language-learning experience, and we want to make sure you reach your goals in the most effective way possible. To do this, we have personally tested and reviewed over 600 language products. Once you have read this guide, you’ll be on the right track to reaching fluency in Ukrainian!

Best Ukrainian App

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Try Pimsleur

Best Ukrainian Course

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Try Udemy

Best Ukrainian Tutors

italki logo
Try italki

Ukrainian is the official language of Ukraine and one of the most spoken languages in Europe with over 32.6 million speakers. It’s a Slavic language and uses the Cyrillic alphabet. While it’s similar to the Russian language, it’s actually closest to Belarussian. In 2022, there was a huge increase in the number of people learning Ukrainian. Countries are opening their doors to Ukrainian refugees, and learning the language has become a necessity for communication. No matter why you’re learning the language, this guide shows you some excellent options to learn Ukrainian.

Ukraine

How to Learn Ukrainian: Achieve Fluency with These 6 Learning Methods

There’s no magic formula to become fluent in Ukrainian overnight, but there are steps you can take to make the process easier and faster. The first step is to create a comprehensive study routine that can help you develop all areas of language. You can’t effectively do this with one single resource, so you’ll need to use several to cover all skills and topics.

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Fastest Way to Learn Ukrainian: Pimsleur
Or visit our Ukrainian Hub to learn more about the language.

Because finding high-quality resources to study Ukrainian can be time-consuming and confusing, we created this list with the best 6 methods. We applied the strict methodology we use to review all the products mentioned on our website. This way, you can rest assured that you’re learning Ukrainian as it is spoken by native speakers. Once you read through this guide, you’ll be able to choose the resources you like the most and start your Ukrainian learning journey!

1. Use the Best Ukrainian Apps

Language apps are one of the most popular ways to learn Ukrainian. They’re easy to use and can teach you the basics quickly. A lot of apps have different features to track your progress and motivate you to continue studying. Pimsleur, Mondly, and LingQ are three options that will get you to speak Ukrainian quickly.

Commitment: Low
Price: Low-Medium
Convenience: High

Look at more Ukrainian apps

Pimsleur

Pimsleur is the best overall app to learn Ukrainian because it helps you become conversational quickly. You start speaking in your first lesson and learn proper pronunciation by listening to native speakers. Each lesson breaks down a conversation between native speakers into bite-size chunks and you repeat what they say to practice pronunciation. Pimsleur is convenient because the lessons are audio-based so you can listen to them anywhere. You can try it for free with a 7-day trial or read more about it in this Pimsleur review.

Mondly

Mondly is an excellent app to use for beginners because it helps you learn the basics of vocabulary and grammar without overwhelming you with complicated explanations. The lessons are short and interactive, and you can choose what you want to study. Mondly also has features that let you track your progress to see how much you’ve learned. Try Mondly for free with a 7-day trial, or you can read more about it in this Mondly review.

LingQ

LingQ is a good choice if you already have a basic level of Ukrainian and you want to continue improving. It helps you immerse yourself in the language by creating lessons with authentic material in Ukrainian. The app uses content like books, videos, and podcasts. You can create your own lessons and flashcards. You also have the option to import content that you find and LingQ will automatically create a lesson for you. LingQ has a 7-day free trial if you want to try it out. You can also read more about the app in this LingQ review.

2. Take an Online Ukrainian Course

Online courses are best for learners who like a structure and want to follow a set plan. They’re easy to follow and you build upon what you previously learned. Many courses have a variety of activities, such as video lessons, practice questions, flashcards, and more, so you get a well-rounded knowledge of Ukrainian. Udemy, UkrainianCourse, and LingHut are good choices no matter what your level is.

Commitment: High
Price: Medium-High
Convenience: Medium

Udemy

Udemy is a massive online platform with educational courses covering every topic you can think of, including Ukrainian language courses. There are currently 90+ Ukrainian courses to choose from. The courses are self-paced with video lessons as well as homework and other practice material. Each course has a preview video and a detailed description of what you will learn. You can also read reviews from people who have completed it already. If you’re interested in the platform, you can also read this complete Udemy review to learn more about it.

UkrainianCourse

UkrainianCourse has a series of courses that go from complete beginner to intermediate. The lessons teach a variety of topics like how to read and speak, as well as grammar. Each lesson has audio conversations so you can practice speaking and understanding. In addition to the lessons, there are additional resources like dialogues, written texts, and music activities to practice with. UkrainianCourse is a completely free resource. They are continually adding new content so you can sign up for their newsletter to receive updates.

LingoHut

LingoHut is a course with 125 lessons that teach the most important Ukrainian vocabulary. There are topics like numbers, rooms in the house, and time expressions. Each lesson has a set of flashcards that you study independently and then play interactive games to practice what you just learned. Every word has audio so you can hear how to pronounce the words correctly. The Ukrainian course is completely free!

3. Find an Online Ukrainian Tutor

To achieve an intermediate or advanced level of Ukrainian, practicing speaking and conversation skills is essential. Now, there are thousands of Ukrainian teachers available on language-learning platforms to teach you online lessons from the comfort of your home. The 1-on-1 lessons offer flexibility and allow you to learn at your own pace. Italki, Preply, and Superprof are three safe and secure platforms with many Ukrainian teachers available.

Commitment: Medium
Price: Medium-High
Convenience: Medium

italki

Italki is one of the most popular language-learning platforms. There are currently 142 Ukrainian teachers available. It’s easy to search their profiles to see what kind of classes they teach, past student reviews, and their availability. Once you find a teacher you like, you can take a discounted trial lesson to see if they are a good fit for you. You can also read more about the platform in this italki review.

Preply

Preply is another large language-learning platform that lets you choose your tutor. There are over 130 Ukrainian teachers active on the platform. Each teacher sets their own prices, so you can find an option that fits your budget. Teachers also create their own curriculums and can adapt them to your learning needs. Preply offers a satisfaction guarantee. If you aren’t happy with your discounted trial lessons they will rebook a new trial for you with a different teacher for free. You can also learn more about the platform in this Preply review.

Superprof

Superprof has teachers for many different academic subjects, including Ukrainian lessons. It’s a smaller platform, with 19 teachers offering classes, but unlike the others, it gives you the opportunity to search for face-to-face classes if a teacher lives in your area. You can search their profiles to learn more about who and what they teach. Most teachers offer a free trial lesson to see if you like their teaching style.

4. Study with High-Quality Ukrainian Books

Books are an old-school way to study Ukrainian, but still one of the best ways to learn. Now, there are many books designed to help you study by yourself without a teacher. They often provide detailed descriptions of grammar and how the language is spoken, along with practice activities so you can check your understanding. Beginner´s Ukrainian, Complete Ukrainian, and Beginning Learner’s Ukrainian Dictionary are three excellent choices for Ukrainian language learners.

Commitment: Low
Price: Medium
Convenience: Medium

Beginner’s Ukrainian

Beginner’s Ukrainian has 15 lessons that focus on the most important conversational topics like meeting people, families, meals, and more. It can be used as a self-study tool or with a teacher. Each lesson teaches important grammar and syntax but with a focus on conversation. The book also includes cultural notes, a Ukrainian-English dictionary, and online access to audio dialogues. You can learn more about Beginner’s Ukrainian here.

Complete Ukrainian

Complete Ukrainian is meant to be a self-study guide. It focuses on the most important topics that you might use in conversation such as talking about likes, family, and directions. In addition to the 18 detailed chapters, there is also a pronunciation guide, a key to the practice exercises, and a Ukrainian-English vocabulary list. You can read more reviews and learn about the book here.

Beginning Learner’s Ukrainian Dictionary

The Beginning Learner’s Ukrainian Dictionary has 1,000 of the most commonly used words. There are example sentences with translations so you can understand the context of the word. In addition to being used as a dictionary, it can also be used as a basic grammar reference. You can also access audio tracks on the publisher’s website. See for yourself what you think about the book here.

5. Watch Ukrainian YouTube Videos

YouTube videos may seem like an unconventional way to learn Ukrainian, but they are one of the most fun methods to use! Videos let you hear how the language is spoken by real people and there’s the added benefit of having visuals to help you understand even easier. Videos help you learn from native Ukrainian speakers from anywhere in the world. The YouTube channels below have hundreds of videos for you to start watching today.

Commitment: Low
Price: Low
Convenience: High

Speak Ukrainian

Speak Ukrainian Youtube

Inna Sopronchuk creates videos that teach the Ukrainian language and culture. There are videos on essential vocabulary, grammar, and speaking lessons. She occasionally posts vlogs and gives updates on the situation in Ukraine and her own personal story. She is also the founder of a language academy located in Ukraine. So if you like her videos, you can take her online course, as well as buy flashcards and textbooks on the Speak Ukrainian Language School website.

Ukrainian Language With Ira

Ira is another YouTuber who creates Ukrainian language lessons as well as other content to help you learn the language. She has videos about important grammar topics, common vocabulary, and useful expressions. She’s still posting new videos so you can follow the Ukrainian Language channel to see all the new content.

Ukrainian Language

Yuliia is a Ukrainian language teacher who wants to help you learn her language. She has a mix of videos, including language learning lessons, story books read aloud, and easy texts in Ukrainian. Most of her videos are for beginners, but there are some intermediate lessons, as well. She posts a new video every couple of months, but there are plenty of videos already available to help you start practicing.

6. Listen to Ukrainian Podcasts

Similar to videos, podcasts let you hear how Ukrainian is spoken by native speakers. And since they’re audio-based, you can listen wherever you can bring your phone. They’re also an effective way for busy people to study because you can go hands-free and listen while doing other activities. Ukrainian Lessons Podcast, Listen and Read in Ukrainian, and Nash Holos Ukrainian Roots Radio are free options that can help you learn fast.

Commitment: Low
Price: Low
Convenience: High

Ukrainian Lessons Podcast

Ukrainian Lessons logo

The Ukrainian Lessons Podcast is the most popular podcast for people learning this language. There are 5 seasons that go from complete beginner to advanced. The beginner podcasts focus on the basics, like numbers, family members, and greetings, and each season provides progressively harder content and she speaks more and more in Ukrainian. You can listen to all of the episodes for free on your favorite podcast player. There’s also the option to become a premium member to receive episode transcripts, practice material, and more.

Listen and Read in Ukrainian

Listen and Read in Ukrainian has short episodes that are entirely in Ukrainian and teach important vocabulary. There are three levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. There’s only one episode for beginners, but intermediate learners will have more content. The audio is voiced by native Ukrainian speakers and there is a transcript available to practice reading. There aren’t that many episodes available, but it’s a free resource that can help you practice understanding Ukrainian.

Nash Holos Ukrainian Roots Radio

Nash Holos Ukrainian Roots Radio talks about cultural topics in both English and Ukrainian. It’s a one-hour show hosted live every week. There are plenty of interviews, recipes, proverbs, and more. It also features new and traditional Ukrainian music. There is a live stream of the episode every week, or you can listen to previous episodes on the Nash Holos website.

How to Learn Ukrainian: Final Thoughts

Whatever your reason for learning Ukrainian, I hope this list gave you some new ideas and inspiration for how to learn this language. Any of the resources on this list can help jump-start your learning routine. Most offer a free trial or some free content so you can test a couple before committing to one. You’ll be speaking Ukrainian in no time! Дякую тобі!

Want to learn more? Check out our Ukrainian resource page.

How to Learn Ukrainian: FAQ

How long does it take to learn Ukrainian?

According to the US Department of State, it takes 1100 class hours to learn Ukrainian. This number is only an estimate. It may take you more or less time depending on your natural ability to learn languages and if you speak a language that’s similar to Ukrainian, such as Russian, Czech, or Polish.

To see how long it will take you to learn Ukrainian, check out this Fluency Calculator.

How can I learn Ukrainian quickly?

The best way to learn Ukrainian quickly is to dedicate time every day to studying. This will help you retain what you already learned and continue to build upon it. Additionally, the more time you can dedicate to studying, the faster you’ll learn.

How do I learn Ukrainian at home on my own?

One of the most popular ways to learn Ukrainian at home is to use a language app. Pimsleur, Mondly, and LingQ are good options that offer a well-developed Ukrainian course. You can also take online classes with a Ukrainian tutor from the comfort of your home. Platforms like italki and Preply have hundreds of Ukrainian tutors available.

How hard is it to learn Ukrainian?

Ukrainian is considered a difficult language for English speakers to learn because the two languages have significant differences. The Ukrainian language uses the Cyrillic alphabet and English uses the Latin alphabet. Ukrainian also has seven case endings and other tricky grammar rules. But with dedication and persistent study, you’ll be able to learn Ukrainian.

How do I learn Ukrainian fluently?

To learn Ukrainian fluently, it’s important to get an all-around understanding of the language. This means you’ll need to practice all the important skills such as reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The best way to do this is to use a variety of resources since just one can’t effectively teach all of these skills.

How do I learn Ukrainian for free?

Especially now, there are many free resources available to learn Ukrainian. Ukrainiancourse.com and LingoHut have their entire course available for free. You can also watch YouTube videos from Ukrainian creators and listen to podcasts

Kelsey Wetherbee

Kelsey is the Content Manager and Editor of Langoly. She is a TEFL-certified English teacher with more than eight years of classroom experience in three different countries. She’s an avid language learner with an advanced level of Spanish and is currently studying French. Whenever possible, she loves to travel and enjoys meeting people from all over the world. Connect with Kelsey on LinkedIn.

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