Learn Hardcore Russian: Эти курсы интереснее, чем обычные уроки. - These courses are more interesting than regular lessons.

Интереснее is the comparative form of the adjective интересный, so it means more interesting. In this sentence, it indicates that these courses have a higher level of interest compared to ordinary lessons.

Why is there no verb like are in the sentence?

In Russian, the present tense of the verb to be (есть) is commonly omitted. The sentence Эти курсы интереснее, чем обычные уроки is understood to mean These courses are more interesting than ordinary lessons without explicitly stating the verb.

How is the comparative adjective интереснее formed?

Russian forms many comparatives by adding the suffix -ее to the base adjective. Here, интересный becomes интереснее. While you could also say более интересные, the short-form comparative интереснее is both concise and commonly used.

What role does the word чем play in this sentence?

Чем functions like the English word than. It introduces the element of comparison, linking the comparative adjective интереснее to what it is being compared against (обычные уроки).