Ready to try a great new way to learn Russian? Have a look around our website to see if you believe what we say, then join our growing group of members and get learning Russian!!!
If you have any questions you'd like to ask, please send me an email:
email Brian
I'm currently busy with the members so don't have much time to add new material to the website, but everything you need to learn Russian is available for just $10 per month. Are you ready to get started?
NEW!!! Here's a great little table to help you learn about Russian cases. It's an Excel file that I converted to a webpage, so it has a handy 'tab' format. Check it out!!
Introduction to Russian Cases
ALSO NEW!!! Yulia has started a great new Russian lesson series with text and audio. You can download the mp3 audio files here:
Audio files for Russian Lesson 1(right click and "Save Link As...")
Russian vocabulary is best learned naturally, by reading and listening to dialogues. Limiting a dialogue to a very basic vocabulary for beginners can be challenging. Here's a look at how we 'count words' to make sure we're not progressing too quickly or not giving enough repetition. Russian Vocabulary 'control' (And for more advanced students, don't worry, we continue the concept all the way along.)
To continue browsing, choose your level directly or continue reading below.
Learning Russian is not as difficult as you think!
Learning any language is actually not that difficult. The problem has always been the method. Traditional language learning methods are terrible. Most of us know that from first hand experience.
As you'll see, our methods are quite different, but quite logical. The main point: It's about physical training, not logical processes and memorization.
By simply following the process of reading, listening and speaking, you physically train your body; like learning a sport or to play a musical intrument.
We have everything you need to learn Russian, and for just $10 per month, it's all yours. Are you ready to get started?
Care to read more before jumping in? My first bit of advice, which you really MUST heed, is:
Learn to Read Russian
I promise, it's NOT difficult to learn to read Russian. Do NOT waste any time learning the alphabet or studying the phonetics, simply begin reading. Listen and read. Let your intuitive mind take charge and you WILL learn, I guarantee.
Try the sample to the right, or watch this short, funny video to learn your first 3 words, while getting a glimpse into Russian culture.
Learning to type in Russian is also not difficult if you don't do it in the traditional manner. Anybody can learn in 1 to 3 hours, guaranteed. To discover how, go to: Learn to Type Russian
Next:
Russian for Beginners
After going through our material in
Russian for Newbies
you'll have graduated to the Beginner level. You may only remember 10 words or less, but you'll have a sense of confidence that you can do it!
At the Beginner Level, you'll gain confidence using about 100 words.
Russian for Beginners
Next:
Language Learning is about expressing IDEAS
Language came first, and grammar was created later by 'Those-Who-Know' to try and explain what everyone already knew. Similarly when learning a new language, focus on understanding and expressing ideas and the grammar will be sorted out later.
Trust me on this one, and if you want to learn more about it, come visit: How to Learn a Language
Next:
What about other language learning methods?
Honestly, if you find a really good method somewhere,
please let me know
, I'd love to see it.
If you look closely at our method and compare it side by side with other programs, I think you'll agree: other programs simply don't provide what you really need to learn Russian.
Let's look at a couple in particular:
Pimsleur Russian
Can anyone explain why you would want to learn a new language with ONLY audio files if you're not blind? It's like tieing a blindfold on while learning to ski. I simply don't get it.
Granted, there are some good elements to the program, and he did understand some of the key elements in learning a language, but it's extremely inefficient, not to mention, expensive.
For a complete look at Pimsleur's Russian language program, visit my in depth review, along with the transcript for the audio. Text for Pimsleur Russian
Next:
Learn Russian from Russian Cartoons
There are a LOT of great Russian cartoons available on the internet, and they have a refreshing style that is different from what we're used to in the West.
They're all too difficult for me to understand as a beginner, but they're still fun to watch.
With the text, it's a great way to improve your listening abilities and speaking abilities by speaking aloud along with the cartoon.
Here's a great little cartoon based on a poem from the famous Russian poet and writer, Mayakovsky.
The best way to begin learning Russian is
simply LISTEN, READ and SPEAK. Try it!
________________________________________
Что это? (What's this?)
Что?
Это.
Это книга. (That's a book.)
А это? (And this?)
Это журнал. [magazine]
…
(looking at photos)
Кто это? (Who's this?)
Где? (Where?)
Здесь. (Here.)
Это я. (That's me.)
А это?
Это тоже я.
Кто это?
Это мой брат. [my brother]
А это?
Это моя мама.
Где моя книга?
Вон там, на столе.
Что это?
Это стол. (It's a table.)
А это?
Это стул. (It's a chair.)
Это твоя книга?
Да.
А это твой журнал?
Нет, это твой журнал.
Где газета? [newspaper]
Здесь. (Here.)
Спасибо.
Пожалуйста.
Кто это?
Где?
Здесь.
Это Барак Обама.
And so on..
Each individual student can progress at whatever speed they're comfortable with.
Notice also that by using recognizable English names, it greatly helps you learn the Russian alphabet.
Another important factor is to trust the method and trust yourself. Just 'let it happen' and you will learn very quickly.
Sign up as a member and get audio for all the material from a native Russian speaker!!
What's very interesting to see after you've read and listened to Lessons 1 and 2, is the vocabulary covered. Russian Lesson 2 - vocab
After reading the lessons, students feel like they've covered a lot. It feels like a lot. After all, you were 'speaking Russian' for several minutes straight.
When you look at the vocabulary covered, you think, "That's it? That's ALL the words that were used? Wow!!"
And you gain confidence. You think, "Hey, maybe I can do this."
Here's a list of words to get you going, and remember, don't waste time and effort trying to memorize words. Glance over the list quickly and let your intuitive learning ability take control.
что
кто
где
когда
почему
как
сколько
это
здесь
там
А ...
и
тоже
я
ты, Вы
он
она
они
мы
мой
моя
твой
твоя
Спасибо.
Пожалуйста.
да
нет
книга
журнал
газета
ручка
карандаш
стол
стул
муж
жена
ребенок
брат
сестра
папа
мама
друг
подруга
имя
лет
от
к
в
на
с
жить
работать
играть
читать
хотеть
есть
пить
спать
час
время
сколько времени
теперь
позже
ранее
сегодня
вчера
завтра
утро
днем
ночь
Привет.
Здравствуйте.
what
who
where
when
why
how
how many
this, that
here
there
And…
and
also, too
I
you
he
she
they
we
my (masc.)
my (fem.)
your (masc.)
your (fem.)
Thank you.
U' welcome.
yes
no
book
magazine
newspaper
pen
pencil
table
chair
husband
wife
child
brother
sister
dad
mom
friend
friend (fem.)
name
age, year(s)
from
to
in, at
on
with
live
work
play
read
want
eat
drink
sleep
hour
time
what time
now
later
earlier
today
yesterday
tomorrow
morning
afternoon
night
Hi.
Hello.
Creating confidence is a key element in order to maximize results.
When you look at the vocabulary covered to Lesson 4 (which will be read in your very first hour ever of learning Russian) it seems manageable. You feel like you've had a serious workout, but you feel capable.
Movies are great for helping you learn Russian, even for beginners. They're fun to watch and many expressions will get locked in your memory immediately. Like when professor Dumbledore shouts "Тихо!" (Silence!). Once is all it takes to lock it in.
The most natural Russian is in Russian movies of course, and here's a wonderful film with beautiful scenery of the Crimea.
And of course, if Tarzan can learn Russian, so can you!! :) Watching movies you know with Russian audio is super since you can immediately make associations of what you hear with the action and story.
