Post: #276

I was wondering about how are you guys learning the language? Do you learn by yourself or in a class? How many times a week and for how long? I´m trying to learn 3-4 times a week for about an hour by myself at the moment but i learned it for a few semesters in university a couple of years ago. Maybe you can share your experiences. What worked out best for you? Sorry if it has been asked before.

Post: #277

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Post: #278

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsC9aE24qw8

The following video above is about how to master pronunciation in Russian. Some good advice for those who may be struggling with it.

Post: #279

I can't stress this enough: iTalki

I pay $5 for a 30 minute session with my tutor. My Russian has gotten so much better. I do 2 sessions a week (or at least I try) which comes out to $40 a month. Perhaps the best bang for your buck out there.

Actually speaking the language goes so much further than any book or website out there. I highly suggest you all check it out.

Post: #280

Didn't know to post it here or in the foreign movie recommendation ones, but I'll go ahead here.

It's not a movie, but it's a short TV Series (4 episodes, 45 mins each), so total 3 hours which adds up to a long movie.

I was searching "Russian TV Series" on Youtube a couple of months ago, and came across it. Decided to give it a go, and it was so engaging I ended up finishing all 4 episodes on the trot. I've watched 3 times so far, 2 with English subtitles, and the 3rd time with Russian subtitles.

It's a drama/thriller (especially in later episodes)...lead character is an absolute rocket (Photo below) and it has a few red pill scenes as well. (Over 20 language subtitles available)..good for Russian listening practice. over close to 1.5 million views in 18 months. Recommended it to a few friends who aren't even learning Russian, and they all found it entertaining and a good watch.

Post: #281

(12-05-2015 07:41 PM)samsamsam Wrote:  

(12-04-2015 04:34 AM)Austrian Wrote:  I learned Russian a few years ago during university for a few semesters and recently began to tackle it again. I remember when I learned Eglish and Spanish in school, listening to English/Spanish music and watching movies helped me tremendously (my native language is German) I recently checked out some Russian music and want to get into it to help me learn the language.
For a general overview, you can check out this Wiki page to check out some Russian bands:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Russia

I checked out some "old school" Russian bands from the 1970s and 1980s like Kino, Aquarium, and Machina Vremeni so far.
Maybe somebody can recommend some good Russian-language movies ?

I am interested in this also. I am really trying to find movies with English subtitles. I am guessing that by hearing the words and getting an idea of what is said will help me hear/recognize it faster and better than without the subtitles. I would be guessing then at what was going on.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eax0iJ_MpSM

It's not exactly what you're looking for but it's been a big help to me, watching these old Soviet myeltiki with English subtitles, everything that YouTube suggests based on that video is another cartoon with decent subtitles. It helps you hear the cadence of the language well I think, it's aimed at kids so the vocab is pretty straight forward, and you're still exposed to new words every now and then. Hope it helps.

Post: #282

I have been trying to get Russian language down myself but have a hard time sometimes keeping up with it.

I have been recently listening to Michel Thomas Method Russian Course, this has helped me tremendously.

I've been listening to over and over again, remembering small parts here and there, over time though I am picking up new words and grammar everyday.

I would like to at some point really get down the conjugation of verbs and memorizing vocabulary. I think one of the other members also mentioned watching movies and documentaries, and just immersing yourself in Russian language.

The one thing I am having a hard time with is finding Russian music, good movies and documentaries to watch. If anyone knows any resources that would be very helpful and appreciated.

Peter

Post: #283

(11-03-2015 02:10 PM)peterfoo22 Wrote:  FYI Guys,

Looks like Duolingo has released the English to Russian language abilities. I think as of right now, the program is not available through their mobile app yet.

Been Really trying to hammer down the language myself.

Peter

Oh nice! I started duolingo russian now. Thank you for informing

Post: #284

(12-13-2015 04:42 AM)AManLikePutin Wrote:  Didn't know to post it here or in the foreign movie recommendation ones, but I'll go ahead here.

It's not a movie, but it's a short TV Series (4 episodes, 45 mins each), so total 3 hours which adds up to a long movie.

I was searching "Russian TV Series" on Youtube a couple of months ago, and came across it. Decided to give it a go, and it was so engaging I ended up finishing all 4 episodes on the trot. I've watched 3 times so far, 2 with English subtitles, and the 3rd time with Russian subtitles.

It's a drama/thriller (especially in later episodes)...lead character is an absolute rocket (Photo below) and it has a few red pill scenes as well. (Over 20 language subtitles available)..good for Russian listening practice. over close to 1.5 million views in 18 months. Recommended it to a few friends who aren't even learning Russian, and they all found it entertaining and a good watch.

Thanks for the links, problem is the subtitles are not congruent with what is being said. But this is always the problem with translating Russian into English.

Post: #285

So I have been at it for about 6 months.

The first three months was nothing more than listen to Michel Thomas whenever I was out or at the gym, etc. If you didn't know, there is a pdf that goes with it. http://www.michelthomas.com/assets/downl...USSIAN.pdf

The last three months included about 30 hour of live one on one instruction, the CDs (I found some other CDs in addition to Thomas), skype calls (3 hours a week) and a variety of other little things.

I have not tried all the suggestions in this thread, but here are mine.

1) Learn the basic greetings, etc. Learn how to ask for things, directions. Some basic tourist stuff, you will always be needing to use these phrases.

2) Learn words - don't worry about conjugations and tenses, just learn words to expand your vocabulary

3) If you don't learn the conjugations and tenses, make sure you learn words like yesterday, tomorrow, today, tonight, last week...etc. Words/phrases that set some time context so when you use your basic non conjugated words the person will still understand you

4) Learn how to say I want, I will, I need, I like, I have and a few others I cannot think of. These will be the building block of your sentences.

5) I have learned lately that I need to learn some more connecting words like prepositions. I am able to carry on conversations now (simple ones) but I forget what the word for "about" or "for" etc. Those are the glue (in my opinion) to make longer and more interesting sentences, rather than "Today I will"

6) I am sure some of you have interesting backgrounds or some story you want to tell. Practice saying that in Russian. I have conversations by myself (я псих) but it allows me to find the gaps in language skills for the things I want to be able to say.

7) Watch stuff in Russian, it is cool when I hear words I recognize and follow little bits. I am looking forward to watching those cartoons suggested by kenny_g.

8) My vocabulary is fading on stuff I don't use everyday, I am tempted to take post its and label the shit out my place.

I am looking at buying this book, does anyone know of other dual language books (English on one side and Russian on the other?) http://www.amazon.com/Russian-Stories-Du...story+book

My last priority is writing. I know the characters, etc. But I don't practice a lot. My goals are vocabulary, conversation, and ability to read a bit.

My skype lessons are a little unstructured. We do whatever as long as I am using my Russian. Today, she had some family visiting so I practiced with some of her family. It was cool to be able to chit chat a little.

Hope this helps someone.

Post: #286

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Post: #288

pop group Serebro Beautiful Russian Girls

Post: #289

Great suggestions Ligurian.

One more thing I realized at the gym today.

I forgot to mention that if you go the route of not learning conjugations and tenses and crap with the verbs. Then make sure you memorize the personal pronouns.

So "I to want" would be "я хотеть" or "Ya khotet" - it may sound clunky but you get the point across. Ideally, you will say "I want" which is "я хочу" or "ya khochu".

(12-16-2015 04:47 AM)The Ligurian Wrote:  

(12-15-2015 04:38 PM)samsamsam Wrote:  6) I am sure some of you have interesting backgrounds or some story you want to tell. Practice saying that in Russian. I have conversations by myself (я псих) but it allows me to find the gaps in language skills for the things I want to be able to say.

I think this is a great tip and is vital in building fluency in speech.

I used to have hundreds of conversations a day with myself with imaginary people and on varied subjects.

Ok, I do a few a day maybe - not hundreds. ты сумасшедший

Needed google translate for that!

And did you count "Do you want a Revo? "Revo is tasty" "Where can I buy a Revo" as a conversation?

Post: #290

Yeah Russian is a very tricky language. In terms of the tenses you are completely fine, they are not too difficult to remember. Unfortunately I don't have my Russian keyboard on me now, so I can't explain this thoroughly, when I do get it however, I will do some diagrams to help you.

It's a hard language to learn but once you get over the elementary hump and a basic understand of the grammar (i.e. tenses and prepositions) it actually becomes a lot more easier. More easier than English I would say, because you don't have to worry about constructions and all the different tenses that we have in English, such as present perfect, past perfect continuous blah blah.

Post: #291

Also, Russian uses fewer words to communicate the same thing. Throws me off sometimes. I think there should be more words in the sentence.

Quote:It's a hard language to learn but once you get over the elementary hump and a basic understand of the grammar (i.e. tenses and prepositions) it actually becomes a lot more easier.

I agree.

I have recently started listening to the Michel Thomas CDs to refesh. And I feel a lot more comfortable now. I feel like I have a foundation so I can at least tread water. So now that I am more relaxed with it I think more is sinking in.

To be honest, some of the things I am catching now in the CDs, I don't think I caught the first few times I listened to them.

Post: #292

Agree on the storytelling as a great language aid.

When I studied Russian, for conversation practice, I first wrote down a 'tell me about yourself' story that was 2-3 pages long....name, background, education, hobbies, that sort of thing. When I got comfortable with that, I had 'branches and sequels' - 'education' branched off into stories about my university....'hobbies' is self-explanatory, 'family' - more details on the members, you get the idea. Its easier to learn topics that are familiar to you and flow logically from one to the next. Practice and keep adding 'topics.'

You can amass an amazing amount of vocab this way. Once the basic grammar is generally down, its vocab and slang after that anyway.

Post: #293

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Post: #294

(12-16-2015 04:04 PM)The Ligurian Wrote:  

(12-16-2015 02:34 PM)samsamsam Wrote:  Ok, I do a few a day maybe - not hundreds. ты сумасшедший

Needed google translate for that!

And did you count "Do you want a Revo? "Revo is tasty" "Where can I buy a Revo" as a conversation?

Yeah I seem to have exaggerated a little bit

I agree about the grammar. I have zero idea about cases or how to use them, it's never been an issue once.

Sam I'm only ever having one more Revo night and that's gonna be with you when you come to Ukraine next year. Get ready for some crazy shit on that trip!

I hope so man, I had a chance to drink one in September (it was a very generous gift from a rvf member) but I just didn't think I could do it without you. But when I was asking around for it at bars and clubs - I got some strange looks and reactions. Sure hope it isn't made from Chernobyl waste (terrible joke - that was a tragic event).

Post: #295

The case system is tough and most of the foreign language books that talk about Russian do a pretty weak job explaining it (in my opinion). I do skype tutoring as well, and Russians will explain the case system in like five minutes to you, the way they learn it is much more straight forward I think (just like any native speaker right?). My friend got me on this idea, ask questions about what you are trying to say, "who? or of who? or to who? or with who?" There's some sentences he always references:
Дательный падеж - давать кому-то
винительный - вижу кого-то
родительный - нет кого-то
творительный - гордиться кем-то
предложный - о ком
Maybe a native speaker could comment to the effectiveness of that strategy? It has helped me go from "wrong every time" to "wrong some of the time"

Post: #296

There are a lot of movie websites with ripped films in Russian:
E.g. kinoprofi.net, ikinohd.net
After you reach an intermediary level, you can watch them. Tons of films free of charge.

There is a german site on how to remember cases easily:
http://www.russisch-fuer-kinder.de/de_st...=is_padezh

Post: #297

(12-16-2015 03:19 PM)LeeEnfield303 Wrote:  Agree on the storytelling as a great language aid.

When I studied Russian, for conversation practice, I first wrote down a 'tell me about yourself' story that was 2-3 pages long....name, background, education, hobbies, that sort of thing. When I got comfortable with that, I had 'branches and sequels' - 'education' branched off into stories about my university....'hobbies' is self-explanatory, 'family' - more details on the members, you get the idea. Its easier to learn topics that are familiar to you and flow logically from one to the next. Practice and keep adding 'topics.'

You can amass an amazing amount of vocab this way. Once the basic grammar is generally down, its vocab and slang after that anyway.

Right now I am on an intensive course, and this technique has helped me a lot. Many thanks !

Post: #298

Just wanted to share a youtube channel that has helped my Russian a lot. This guy does Russian and English subtitles on hundreds of Russian songs. A fun way to study.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCawEQYg...RiDbXQgMyg

Post: #299

I considered making a thread for this, but do you all have any suggestions for studying Russian abroad? I'm an intermediate speaker, but would like to really up my skills. If you all have done an immersion-type of travel in a Russian speaking country I'd like to know!

Post: #300

(12-21-2015 05:09 PM)Seth_Rose Wrote:  I considered making a thread for this, but do you all have any suggestions for studying Russian abroad? I'm an intermediate speaker, but would like to really up my skills. If you all have done an immersion-type of travel in a Russian speaking country I'd like to know!

Minsk in Belarus is the place to go. Courses are ridiculously cheap and English speakers are almost inexistent:

http://haraldbaldr.com/top-5-cheapest-pl...an-abroad/