Thread: Have you taken a course in Russian and what was your experience?

It is important not to confuse word "писАть" (to write) with "пИсать" (to pee).

It is not so easy if in your native language stress ALWAYS is on the first syllable :P
My russian teacher reminded this couple of times, but stress in russian is still a mystery to me.

I haven't taken any courses in Russian - only 3 years at school - that's all.
I think my understanding is ~B1-B2, but speaking/writing - A1 at best.

I am thinking of taking this course at a place called The People's University (that's the translation of the name). It's not really a university though, since anyone can sign up... And there is no exam at the end, I think. I still want to take the Russian TORFL.

This course is 24 hours of tuition and the price is about 220 EUR.

Russian B1

You are beginning to make progress in your studies of the Russian language. This course is not for beginners. Through speech practice, hearing comprehension and writing practice you will learn to handle Russian in everyday situations.

Aimed at
People who have the equivalent of 150+ hours with a qualified teacher. You must be able to understand the main points in clear standar Russian and handle situations regularly encountered at work in school or in your spare time. You are able to handle any situations that occur while travelling in Russian speaking areas as well as describing in a simple style your experiences, dreams, aspirations and goals. You are able to discuss literature film and theatre.

Content

• Regular discussions and common phrases in conversation.
• How to handle an emergency situation.
• Discussing litterature, film and theatre.
• Aspects
• Nouns
• Confidence with Russian Kasus
• adjectives

All of the requirements are true but I cannot talk about film, literature and theatre!
But the course one step down seems too simple!


Does anyone have a view on what's better: Taking a course that's slightly too easy or slightly too hard?

My choice would be "slightly too hard"

Thanks for the advice! I guess the worst thing that could happen is that I find I have to move to the A2 class.
I have easily done 200 hours of self study, plus I did that trip in Ukraine and Belarus - so I think I OUGHT to be able to handle the B1.
We shall see!

Deep end of the pool. 'Too easy' means you'll be bored and impatient.

but stress in russian is still a mystery to me.

So, you have the same problem in English, don't you?

Hanna, take the harder course. It will be more interesting.

So, you have the same problem in English, don't you?

Yes, I usually don't know where to put stress in English too.

Interesting - why it is not required to mark where the stress should be (at least on words like infamous "писaть").

Can you pronounce a word with the stress on different syllables, nulle?

Originally Posted by nulle

Yes, I usually don't know where to put stress in English too.

Usually on the last but one syllable
Some words have two stresses

Interesting discussion. I had one year of private tutoring at Leningrad State University, during cold war times. But to be honest, I learned Russian mostly from just talking with friends. When I arrived there, I was probably an A1 according to your EU scale, above. When I left Russia, around 2 years later, I was around a B1-B2. My spelling, however, is atrocious because I have not written much in Russian. The chat on this forum has been a big help! And I appreciate all the corrections on my spelling errors.

Originally Posted by Doomer

Usually on the last but one syllable

I was taught otherwise at university. The stress is very often on the first syllable, especially in two syllable words. In three and four syllable words the stress is usually on third last. I remember two exapmles: victory, exaggarate.
Here's a link where there's a lot of information about English stress.
Useful English: Word Stress

awesome information, thank you

Can you pronounce a word with the stress on different syllables, nulle?

Of course I can if I know where to put it - otherwise it goes on the first.

Thanks for the link kib.

Russian version looks a lot scarier
Word Stress in Russian

Why can't you just mark them like Latvians do with long vowels (which is most common problem for Russians learning the language).