Learn Russian with Ari Avis 

After doing the conversational course for a year, I've just started the (new) Easy Russian Classics. The latter is great for literature fans, which I am. But it's even better as a complementary part of the entire system – which is well-thought out, well-structured and highly engaging. I'm tired after work and don't have much spare time. But none of this has kept the course teaching me to actually speak, text and communicate in Russian. However, because the audio lessons are so handy and work so well, it's been hard for my reading/spelling to keep up. Adding the Easy Classics component is great … The format is so friendly, it removed my reluctance to face written Russian at the end of the day. This is by miles the best language learning system I've encountered (I also learned French from scratch). Everything in it is very cleverly, creatively integrated and I would recommend it to anyone.

Hi there,
a few thoughts about the course:
- one of the best language course I have seen in my life.
- He is a non-native speaker, it has its own flaws and advanteges, e.g.: his pronunciation is not perfect (and it sometimes matters, e.g.: т or ть are not the same) , on the other hand he can explain things what a native speaker would not even think of.
- His method (speech - oriented) works well, I think.
- He explains grammar properly, on an effective way.
- The length of the lessons are ideal. Do one per day, 6 times a week, I would suggest.
Overall I would give a 4.5 rating but since it is not possible, let it be 5.

I find it amazing how well I can voice my thoughts in Russian by following this method. The lessons are short, but so highly effective that I have started to hear and speak Russian phrases while sleeping now. This method is the best I’ve seen.

Wow! Course no. 3 is quite another level!
I needed significantly more time to learn these challenging lessons, which cover all cases of nouns and adjectives. They are clear to me in the individual lessons, but then I get confused again. I think I can use the time until Course No. 4 comes out to repeat everything at least one time, or better yet, two times! There is a lot of material in these 30 lessons.
Thank you very much, it's a great course!

I was skeptic at first, but I just had to try because I was so motivated for work and personal reasons to learn Russian fast and textbook/school methods did not suit me well and I wasn't learning anything, at least not fast enough as I wanted to. By watching YouTube videos I stumbled across Ari's channel and just had to give his course a try knowing a foreigner teaching was unique rather than a native doing it. Ari's method are very effective for those who want to learn the basics of the Russian language up to an advanced level. I strongly recommend him.

I am a highly proficient native speaker in English and Arabic . I started learning Russian a year ago with an online teacher. I thought having three languages that cover almost all continents would be beneficial to my future. I went thru various applications, I found that reading was beneficial, listening as well. However, when it came to speaking and sentence construction, I got stuck! I started using pimsleur which was good. Then I magically found Ari. ( the best thing I did for myself !) Words cant describe how learning Russian has changed drastically just by using Ari's conversation program in a few days! I recommend every Russian student to use this program. I feel bad I didnt buy the program earlier. It would've sky rocketed my progress. God bless you Ari! This is a masterpiece of a program!

So far into lesson 10 I definitely enjoy these lessons the words phrases grammar and how everything works genuinely glues to your head I’ve found this course really good so far and definitely recommend everyone else to try can’t wait to get through level 1 then 2 alongside 3

I Love this Course! It’s advantageous to learn a foreign language with an expert who is professional and who offers the most effective approach to learning. Conversations Unlocked offers that and much more. Ari’s vocal tone and delivery are second to none, being the best teacher I’m gifted with through my sister, Alex (I’m very lucky..she has faith in my ability to learn Russian at an advanced age :-)
If you want a great Russian course, this one is the best, with no AI (not that there’s anything wrong with that, haha) and with a Prof, Ari, who delivers exceptional, well-paced material.

Thanks to the patient pace and repetition of basic building block words I am able to build simple sentences in Russian on my own.

I think this method Ari developed is cutting edge and is the future of learning foreign language. I would go with Ari until complete fluency, if he provided the option. I am currently immersed in a Russian speaking culture, yet I chose Ari's course instead of in-person options available to me. I've been living abroad for a year now. For the first few months, I knew about five phrases–and it was a shot in the dark if people would even understand me through my accent. After I began his course, my confidence quickly grew and I began conversing within two weeks. Now, after about six months of consistent learning, I finished his Conversations Unlocked Three. I am able to tell my whole story of how I began traveling. I can ask for help in nearly any situation. I can answer a wide variety of questions about myself, and replicate interesting questions back–I can have friendly back-and-forth in the cafes. People rarely don't understand me, in fact, people compliment me on my pronunciation. I tried many courses before this one, and none of them proved effective quickly enough for my taste. With his course, you're able to pick up on the accent, remember vocab, and get a natural intuition for grammar. Ari teaches the infamous Russian grammar to make it feel effortless. Of course, he provides comprehensive charts to aid you, but he mostly has you rely on practicing with him during the 20 minute lecture. After I finished the last level available, I began studying through his book club. It's been a great way to increase vocab, practice grammar, and also to feel more comfortable with Russian culture. Personally, I'm someone who has difficulty with structured curriculum, and so this course was really perfect for me. I would suggest this course to anyone. Through Ari's innovative and fresh approach, he's setting a model--and it's only a matter of time for his contemporaries to adopt his methods.

Ari's legit, if you want to level up your Russian learning, especially speaking, his courses are the best I have seen so far.
Thanks Ari

Conversations Unlocked 1 and 2 were a good steady advance in learning. Conversations Unlocked 3 is a distinct step up - I'm stumbling quite a lot and finding it really quite difficult, but I'm enjoying the challenge. I'm watching various Russian films/programmes at the same time, and starting to hear and understand the word endings much more clearly now. I'll definitely repeat this course straightaway when I've finished, and perhaps once more again. I really like Ari's style of teaching.

I recently finished Course 2, which was also enjoyable.
However, I missed the ‘test’ after every 5 lessons, as in Course 1. I liked that because it allowed me to check whether I had retained everything I had learned. But that's just a minor criticism.
What I don't like so much is that Ari often translates Russian syntax literally into English to clarify it, which results in incorrect English grammar. For example, ‘if I would be in Moscow...’ instead of the correct form ‘if I were in Moscow...’, etc. I understand the reason for this, but it irritates me more than it helps me. Otherwise, thumbs up, a great course! Now it's on to Course 3.

Ik vind de lessen heel goed en ik leer veel. De uitleg is rustig en er is voldoende tijd om te herhalen en te antwoorden. Alles wordt vervolgens uitgelegd in verstaanbare taal. Geen moeilijke woorden. Ik vind Ari Helderman een zeer goede leraar en ik bewonder zijn kennis van de Russische taal.
Groetjes uit België

I signed up for Conversations Unlocked 1-3 at the same time and I’ve made it to the halfway point! I’m going very slowly and not so steadily through the coursework because I’ve been studying Russian with other methods and apps. Conversations Unlocked is by far my favorite for learning the language and especially for speaking. Ari is the best…a very good teacher…plus he keeps it interesting and engaging.

In spite of the fact that I'm not that young now I found the course to be well constructed and not at all overwhelming.
I was able to take my time and go back to previous lessons as I needed. I would highly recommend it to anyone.

The reviews below are accurate and exhaustive, so I don't know what else to add. :)
Having studied Russian for several years, I was still at a very basic level. With so many courses, books and YouTube advisors, it is hard to determine a productive path. The case system with its various word endings is very confusing and exercise books didn't help enough.
Ari's courses present only the essential elements, gradually, with explanations that really help. A native speaker can't really help learning the language except in speaking practice. Ari knows what must be learned, and in what order, in order to be successful.
To anyone beginning to learn Russian, I would suggest that they take 2 hours and learn the alphabet, and then begin this course. It will feel like having a tutor, coaching your way through the process.
(I have finished CU 2 and look forward to CU3.)

I have tried many different ways to learn Russian (Duolingo, YT channels, Russian kids books) and either lost interest or felt the material was difficult to understand.

Enter Learning Russian with Ari! His material is spaced out appropriately and contains easy to learn material that you can learn at your own pace! I have been consistently listening to the material and speaking out loud with Ari. If you truly want to learn how to speak Russian, this is the course(s) for you!

Amazing!! This course has boosted my confidence in speaking.

Ari is a great teacher. His programs are structured thoughtfully and efficiently, so you focus on what is absolutely relevant in each lesson without getting overwhelmed with details.
He knows the path, so just follow the lessons and guidance. He also gives very attentive and thoughtful feedback and support.

Only wish I started earlier. But the next best time is now.
Thanks, Ari!