The Best Way to Learn Ukrainian

One of the most traditional and effective ways to learn the language is still through a well-structured Ukrainian language textbook. Let’s start with My Big Book of Ukrainian Exercises by Ruth Darby—a great “learn Ukrainian” book for beginners. It’s essentially a collection of exercises that the author’s Ukrainian teachers created for her.

The book explains essential grammar rules, introduces key vocabulary, and provides structured exercises that help you build a solid foundation. It follows a classic learning approach—reading and rewriting new words by hand—which is ideal for independent learners who prefer a quiet, self-paced study routine.

However, it has a drawback—the lack of audio or video materials, meaning you won’t hear the correct pronunciation of words and sentences as you learn. That’s why we’ve created YouTube videos to complement it, where native Ukrainian speakers pronounce words from each chapter (YouTube link).

Among the best Ukrainian language learning books written in Ukraine, the Yabluko (Apple) series from the Ukrainian Catholic University stands out.

This series includes:
· Green Yabluko for beginners
· Yellow Yabluko for intermediate learners, and
· Red Yabluko for advanced speakers

In our opinion, this is the most comprehensive Ukrainian textbook that teaches all core skills—writing, reading, listening, and speaking—from A0 to C1. A significant advantage is the availability of numerous free audio recordings on the publisher’s SoundCloud channel.

However, since this book is designed for classroom learning, it does not contain English explanations or answer common beginner questions, which can be challenging for independent learners. That’s where our professional Ukrainian language instructor, Larissa, comes in! She breaks down the textbook content in an easy-to-understand way.

For those looking to improve their Ukrainian through the shadowing technique (repeating after a native speaker to mimic pronunciation and intonation), 100 Easy Ukrainian Texts by Yuliia Pozniak is an excellent choice.

This book contains simple, thematic Ukrainian texts for beginners, complete with English translations and pronunciation guides. The author's calm and clear voice makes it easy to follow along. Audio recordings are available at Yuliia's website.

If you’re interested in learning Ukrainian handwriting, practice workbooks featuring individual letters and full words are highly recommended. Although we couldn’t find them on Amazon, you can download them for free on our Patreon channel and/or watch our handwriting tutorial videos there.

Modern technology has made language learning more accessible than ever. A well-designed “learn Ukrainian” app can help you practice pronunciation and vocabulary daily, at your own pace. You’ve probably heard of the most popular app—Duolingo, a free and user-friendly tool that gamifies learning through sentence-building, speaking exercises, listening comprehension, and vocabulary drills. Plus, its adorable owl mascot won’t let you slack off!

Though, Duolingo lacks grammar explanations, which can be frustrating and demotivating. To bridge this gap, we offer detailed grammar lessons, ensuring your steady progress. By the way, My Big Book of Ukrainian Exercises, mentioned in the first section, can be a great companion to Duolingo, if you like to write by hand.

Other alternatives for learning Ukrainian vocabulary and basic phrases include Ling, LingQ, Lengo, LuvLingua, Glossika, and Tobo. Since Ukrainians say, "на колір і смак товариш не всяк" (when it comes to color and taste, not everyone is a friend), meaning that preferences vary, we recommend trying different apps to find what works best for you.

And for absolute beginners unfamiliar with the Cyrillic alphabet (though, honestly, it’s not as hard as it looks), we suggest the “Вчися читати” (Learn to Read) app by
Cleverbit, which makes learning Ukrainian letters and their corresponding sounds fun by spelling out animal names. On Android, the free version is more than enough. Just make sure you download the version named in Ukrainian—Вчися читати (there are also English and Russian versions available), and have great fun learning!

Let’s kick things off with a simple yet effective starting point—a free 5-week Ukrainian language program from the Open University called Introduction to Ukrainian Language and Culture. This course provides a solid foundation by covering essential vocabulary, pronunciation, and cultural insights in a fun and approachable way.

The best part—It’s completely accessible to anyone, no matter where you are. The only real drawback is that it’s designed mostly for beginners, so if you’re looking for something more advanced, you might outgrow it quickly. But everyone has to start somewhere, right?

If you're serious about diving deeper into the language, The School of Ukrainian Language and Culture, run by the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv, offers an immersive experience that blends grammar lessons, speaking practice, study tours, and cultural activities. (By the way, we mentioned their textbook Yabluko earlier in this article.)

This program gives you an authentic learning environment, which is a huge plus. The downside? Well, quality education comes at a price, and for some learners, the tuition might be a bit steep. But if you’re looking for top-tier instruction and can invest in it, this could be your golden ticket to cultural immersion.

For those who prefer a more traditional learning experience with European-based teachers, the Ukrainian Learning Academy in the UK offers support both for tutored classes and self-study.

Their website is a treasure trove of useful resources—think detailed explanations of how Ukrainian words are built, reading guidelines, pronunciation tips, cultural insights (like traditional Easter dishes!), and even recorded texts read by native speakers. If you're someone who loves structured learning with clear explanations, this might be the perfect fit for you.

And, of course, we can’t forget Udemy—a go-to platform for affordable, self-paced courses. Here, you’ll find a variety of Ukrainian courses ranging from alphabet basics and easy recipes to business Ukrainian. Most courses are super budget-friendly, sometimes available for as little as $11.99. This makes Udemy an excellent way to get a taste of the language or try out different instructors without breaking the bank.

Just keep in mind that many instructors there don’t have the capacity to track individual progress or answer personalized questions. So, if you’re looking for one-on-one feedback, you might need to supplement it with other learning resources.

Many language learners swear by personalized lessons—and for good reason! If you believe that one-on-one instruction is the key to success (or if you just want to fast-track your speaking skills), finding a Ukrainian language tutor is the way to go. Your tutor can be either a native speaker or a highly proficient teacher from your own country who can break down complex grammar in a way that makes sense to you.

So, where do you find the perfect tutor? One of the most popular platforms is Preply—a global marketplace for online language learning. Here, you can choose from hundreds of tutors, filtering by price, experience, and even teaching style.

Pricing varies widely, starting as low as $5 per lesson, with most Super Tutors charging between $25–$35 per hour. While Preply doesn’t offer completely free trial lessons, many tutors provide discounted first sessions, so you can test the waters before committing to a package.

Another fantastic option is italki, which operates similarly but has a slightly different focus. On italki, all tutors must pass a verification process, so you’ll only find qualified professionals here.

italki offers two types of instructors:

• Professional Teachers—certified teachers with formal training in language instruction.
• Community Tutors—fluent speakers who may not have formal teaching credentials but can help you practice conversational Ukrainian in a relaxed setting.

Unlike Preply, where lessons are often structured into packages, on italki you pay per lesson, giving you more flexibility. Prices tend to be even lower than on Preply, with professional tutors typically charging between $20–$30 per session, and the quality of instruction is top-notch. Booking is simple: just pick a tutor, check their availability, and schedule a lesson that fits your time zone.

Not quite ready to commit to a private tutor? No problem! You can dip your toes into Ukrainian with our Taster Pass—a fun and affordable way to test the waters.

For just $4 a month, you get access to a personal lesson with Tutor Larissa, plus engaging learning materials. And the best part? Your first week is completely free!

Want to learn Ukrainian for free? The internet is packed with resources—YouTube tutorials, language podcasts, and interactive websites. While free options won’t always give you well-structured learning or personalized guidance, they’re a great way to get a taste of the language.

Here are three worth checking out:

• Loecsen—A super simple phrasebook-style course with audio recordings. Great if you just need some survival Ukrainian for travel, but don’t expect deep grammar explanations.
• Ukrainian Course—Offers basic lessons on pronunciation and common phrases, though not the most engaging. Still, a decent starting point.
• Podorozhi UA—The most interactive option with nice reading materials and cultural insights. If you’re a fan of learning through real-life content, this one might be for you.

While these sites can introduce you to Ukrainian, let’s be real—learning a language takes more than just scrolling through free content. If you ever feel stuck or want a real plan that actually works, you know where to find us.

The best way to master Ukrainian? Mix it up! Books, apps, online courses, podcasts, and real conversations all play a role. The key is finding a method that keeps you engaged and motivated. And remember—language learning is a journey, not a sprint.

At Ukrainian Up Club, we don’t just teach the language—we make it fun, bold, and effective. Whether you’re a complete beginner or leveling up your skills, we’ll help you navigate the world of Ukrainian with confidence.

So, ready to start? Let’s do it your way! 🚀