Live and Learn Russian
Audio Lessons Software Translation Dictionaries Exercise Books Flashcards Video & Media Learn Online Immersion Culture Corner
You'll find all the resources you need to learn Russian effectively right here on this page. Advice on which audio lessons to use, which software really does work, which dictionary to invest in, the best exercise books and much more. Of course, if there is something you would like to know but can’t seem to find it through us, please let us know - we will be happy to do some research and do our best to dig it up, and improve the site for you. The comment box is at the bottom of this page.
Language SynopsisThis super-tongue is spoken by upwards of 280 million people, whether it be their first language, or second, or third, all over Asia, Europe, Canada and the United States, to name a few. There are many more details and background information about the language within this free online encyclopedia and this excellent online source of information. Here you see the general areas where the language is spoken:
Russian Audio LessonsAudio lessons are a great way to build vocabulary, practice pronunciation and help you develop your conversational ability. Below we look at some of the best audio lessons for learning the Russian language. Pimsleur Language Lessons are one of the best ways of getting immersed in the language. Using teaching methods developed through years of research by the renound Dr Pimsleur, they help the student to quickly build his vocabluary and knowledge of key phrases necessary for every day life. The 30 minute lessons are structured so as to maximise retention and refine the pronunciation of the learner. Pimsleur provide three courses, each containing 30 lessons. If you are new to the language, wish to become conversational quickly and wow people with your excellent accent, look no further. Where to buy: One of the cheapest places to purchase Pimsleur audio lessons is Pimsleur-Language. Click on the banner below to take you there.
Colloquial Russian workbooks can be complimented or replaced with their audio components: Colloquial Audio
Internet freebies:
Russian Language Learning SoftwareUsing language learning software can be a very effective way to learn. Most software covers all four aspects of language learning: speaking, listening, reading and writing. Below we look at some of the best software out there for learning Russian.
Rosetta Stone
Rosetta Stone Level 1,2 & 3 Set
Rosetta Stone is one of the most comprehensive courses available in the language. The full set consists of 550 hours of masterly instruction in all four aspects of language learning: speaking, listening, reading and writing. The Rosetta ideology is that we learn a language best if we learnt it as we learnt our own mother tongue as children - through interaction with the world around us. Each of the lessons gets the student to try and match images with their equivalent words. This is done by trial and error to begin with, but as the student learns, he absorbs these new words linking them in his mind to the images. Later verbs, adverbs and prepositions are added in the same way. A truly fun and innovative language learning experience. A MUST HAVE for anyone who is serious about taking on the Russian language. Click on any of the links below to see a more detailed description of the product, or to try a free online demo. Where to buy: Bying Rosetta Stone from their official website allows you the option of paying for their online service, where you get online access to the product for a set period. This costs less than buying the product itself. Try the free demo by clicking on the link below.
Internet freebies: BYKI provide an excellent interactive intriduction to the language. The free download particularly helps with learning the alphabet.
Russian-English DictionariesIf you're serious about learning the language, it's essential you get your hands on a good dictionary. Below are some of the best English-Russian dictionaries available. Collins English-Russian Dictionary Berlitz Phrase Book & Dictionary Barron's 501 Verbs Internet freebies: The following online dictionary service by ECTACO is superb! It provides results just as you would with a real dictionary, complete with similar words and phrases that employ the word...
Russian Exercise and Phrase Books
Colloquial Complete Course for Beginners Dover's: A Dual-Language Book Russian For Dummies Phrases For Dummies Hugo "In Three Months" (with Cassettes) Living Language Complete Russian: The Basics
Internet freebies: You really really really need to concentrate on learning the alphabet before you try to get too far in this language. Knowing the alphabet helps get your head around the different sounds that you'll be hearing, and needing to pronounce. Here is our absolute favorite online tutorial and by far the most effective tool for learning the alphabet. Keep playing the game at the end of the exercise, until you've got it! This website is a good guide for fans of grammar.
Russian FlashcardsPicture Word Book: Learn Over 500 Commonly Used Words Through Pictures Internet freebies: For those of you who have an interest in native authors such as Pushkin and Tolstoy and want help to study their works in the original language, here is a great website. Vocabulary and audio aids are provided, aswell as English translation of the works. You can even watch biographical videos about the authors!
Russian Video & MediaInternet freebies: Once you think you've got a handle on the alphabet, try watching this video and see how easily you can pronounce these already familiar words!
Learn Russian Live OnlineHere is an excellent provider of contacts for private teachers all over! Search for your area and a teacher that will be able to cater to your lesson needs - whether it be live on the phone, or through the internet! Internet freebies:
Russian Language ImmersionSurrounding yourself with words and sounds and music will be the very best way to learn, trust us. We are looking into courses abroad at the moment, and will soon be able to recommend one or two. Until then, feel free to do your best to immerse yourself where you live, using the following suggestions… for example, use a dictionary to print words like “table”, "door", "window", "kettle", "bed", "chair", "mirror" etc and stick them onto those items around the house. Over time these words will automatically become part of your vocabulary, without even trying to memorize them! You could also in time join some verbs, like eat, open/close, wash, boil, sleep, sit, look, etc so as to associate them with the objects. Try it! Internet freebies: Immerse yourself right away by... ~Listening to the radio abit each day and tune in your ears! ~Keeping up with the news each day! ~Looking up the weather each day! This site is great because it doesn’t just show the weather in pictures, but in words too, with a weekly, everchanging, forecast. They're like weather flashcards! ~Keeping yourself tuned into the media! WebTelek will show you the best movie channel, music video channel, and news, etc to watch online! ~Using www.Google.ru/ instead of Google in English… and/or set your search options so that the results include Russian webpages OR use Google’s translation tools to translate English pages that you’re familiar with. ~Listening to music and look for the lyrics to your favorite songs! For example here is a song called Ponimaesh (meaning: do you understand) and here are the lyrics...
Russian Culture CornerExpressions and phrases:
Cultural Quirks: National Dishes and recipes: Traditional Music: Help Others Live & Learn RussianHave you enjoyed learning the Russian language? If so we'd love to hear how you did it. Which resources did you find useful? Which did you come across that weren't very effective? Please e-mail us your suggestions using the form below. Your shared language learning experiences will save other language learners' time, energy, and money. In fact, that is the the mission of Live & Learn Languages!
|
.
is one of the most comprehensive dictionaries available, excellent for those who need extensive language coverage.
is a useful travel tool if you visit the country and need quick access to phrases.
is an excellent tool for help with conjugating verbs - one of the major challenges in learning the language. If you are unfamiliar with grammatical terms such as "past prefect" or "preterite" then you might want to brush up on that first... using the quick overview of the grammatical terms in the beginning of this book. If you find it isn't enough to make things clear, and if English is your first language, 
will bring you up to speed on your grammar.
is designed to provide real life phrases and explanations of the language. You won't find yourself learning things that people never actually say with this book. And here is the second level...
.
series provide you with short story classics with the English translation alongside - an excellent tool to boost your comprehension and learn new vocabulary.
simple approach may well be the best book for you, if you're willing to admit that you don't know much of the language!
also provides a simple approach to learning some phrases. If you like the Dummies series this could be the phrasebook to take you on your travels.
provides a very grammatical approach to the language. If you prefer this approach to learning, this is the book for you. However if you don't like to get knee deep in grammar as soon as you start learning, choose something else, like the Dummies course.
is a good value exercise book that comes with supplementary CD audio material.
is an excellent visual tool for learning the language.
