How to choose a Russian language school: a practical checklist

A short, practical checklist for comparing Russian language schools: group size, real speaking time, teacher experience, total cost and support.

Every school website shows smiling students and promises progress. The differences that matter are less photogenic: how many people sit in the room, how often you speak, and what happens when something goes wrong. Here is the short version of what to compare. The full checklist lives in our guide to choosing a Russian school.

1. Group size: the number that decides everything

Divide the lesson by the number of students and you get your speaking time. In a group of twelve, a 45-minute lesson gives you a few minutes of actual speaking; in a group of four, you speak constantly, because there is nowhere to hide. Ask two questions: what is the maximum group size, and what is the usual one? A school that answers with a number is a school you can compare. At EducaCentre the maximum is 4.

2. Teachers: "native speaker" is not a qualification

What matters is experience teaching Russian to foreigners: explaining cases without drowning you in terminology, correcting pronunciation before habits set. Read reviews for teacher names and specifics. "Great teacher" tells you nothing; "Ksenia had me speaking on day one" does.

3. Real total cost, not the headline price

Compare like with like: lesson length, lessons per week, registration fees, materials, accommodation and transfer. A cheap weekly price in a large group can be the most expensive way to buy actual speaking practice. Our prices are published in full: the weekly rate, the 65 EUR administrative fee, accommodation and transfer, so you can do the maths before you write to us.

4. Support around the course

Studying abroad is not only lessons. Who prepares course documents for your visa application? Who helps with accommodation and what happens if the family does not fit? Who answers when your flight changes? Ask before you pay. The speed and precision of the answer is itself the test.

5. One email tells you everything

Send the same message to every school on your shortlist: your level, dates, goal and accommodation needs. Then compare the replies. A serious school answers with dates, group availability, a concrete price and next steps. A sales script answers with adjectives.

Compare us against this checklist. Send your dates, and judge the reply.