How to Learn Russian by Reading Along with Audiobooks

Reading along with Russian audiobooks allows you to really focus all your senses on the language. With this powerful combination, you can practice every aspect of Russian! Here’s how:

• Scan and learn. Before you press play, scan the text for unknown words. This will prevent you from stumbling once you begin.

• Bolster your reading skills. Hearing the text spoken out loud makes reading along easier, and is a great way to help you recognize Russian words by both sound and sight. Try to get your reading speed up until you can follow along with the audio.

• Shadow the audio. Much like the previous tip, the audio-text combination is perfect for some speaking practice. Use the shadowing technique: read out loud while you listen, trying to match the speed of the audio. Mimic the words, sounds, and intonation.

• Hone your listening skills. Of course, audio is best for listening practice! Listen to and read a short segment. Then close your eyes and focus on listening. How much can you understand?

• Write what you hear. Repeat the previous practice tip, pausing after just one sentence. Then, write the sentence down as you hear it. Compare it to the actual text: how close is your version?

If you enjoy learning this way, take it a step further with FluentU.

FluentU takes Russian audio and video clips from real-world sources—like music videos, movie trailers, news, and inspiring talks—and uses them to generate personalized Russian lessons for each learner.

You’ll get interactive subtitles, vocabulary lists, and tailor-made flashcard decks to help you learn actively while watching your favorite videos. While you watch and listen, you can tap the subtitles for a definition and native pronunciation of any word. The video will automatically pause, making it super simple to boost your listening and reading skills simultaneously in a focused way.

Plus, since this video content is stuff that native Russian speakers actually watch, you’ll get the opportunity to learn real Russian—the way it’s spoken in modern life.

As you continue advancing in your Russian studies, FluentU keeps track of all the grammar and vocabulary that you’ve been learning. It uses your viewed videos and mastered language lessons to recommend more useful videos and give you a 100% personalized experience. Start exploring the FluentU video library for free with a 15-day trial.

Story Time! 6 Free Russian Audiobooks with Text for Reading Along

With the tips above, you’ve created a complete learning routine that covers every aspect of language learning: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Well done!

Armed with this self-guided lesson, it’s time to find some audiobooks to read and listen to.

Works of Boris Karlov

What better way to start than with a mix of charming children’s books and literary stories? This website provides the text and audio for a number of authentic Russian short stories and books penned by the Russian writer Boris Karlov.

If you’re looking for something whimsical, the timeless stories of the fantastic adventures of Карлуша (Karlusha) will delight readers of any age. Written by Karlov, these stories follow Karlusha’s adventures to an island and the moon among other fun adventures.

If you’re in the mood for a more adult-themed tale, check out Karlov’s “Плагиат (Картинки из Ненастоящего),” or “Plagiarism (Stories from the Unreal).” You’ll recognize this one as less child-friendly by the surreal pig’s headcover.

This website also hosts Anton Chekhov’s short story, “A Defenseless Creature,” in audiobook form as well as the story’s text.

To hear the audiobooks, click on the аудиокнига (audiobook) link. The audio is split into segments and everything can be played right in your browser.

For the accompanying text, click the PDF, TXT or FB2 links.