Thread: Starting to Learning Russian

I've been really interested in learning Russian for a long time, so I have a look around the web and this was the best website that I could come across. So as I have looked around the website and the forums but can't find any clear cut suggestions about how to best start learning Russian from scracth I thought I'd register and ask. I hope it's not in the FAQ or a topic on it because I looked and couldn't find anything on it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I'm sure you are probably going to get a variety of opinions on this topic.

I also wanted to learn Russian for many years as my grandfather was from Russia. I tried repeatedly on my own but without much success. It is a difficult language to learn by yourself without interaction from a fluent speaker.

I finally am learning the language but the only way I was able to do that successfully was to study the language at the university/college level under a teacher. My language teacher although very good is not a native Russian, so I also have a fellow university student who is a native Russian tutor me each week to help with my pronunciation.

Good Luck!

Originally Posted by MrPotatoHead

I've been really interested in learning Russian for a long time, so I have a look around the web and this was the best website that I could come across. So as I have looked around the website and the forums but can't find any clear cut suggestions about how to best start learning Russian from scracth I thought I'd register and ask. I hope it's not in the FAQ or a topic on it because I looked and couldn't find anything on it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Here is my suggestion. Go online and find a book called New Penguin Russian Course by Nicholas J Brown and order it. About $12!
While you are waiting for that go down to the bookstore in the language section and buy any Russian Language course with CDs. Preferrably the kind that you can just listen to without needing a book open in front of you and start listening to the language. When the book arrives start on it and keep doing the CDs.

Also go to the library and see if they have any Russian Pimsleur courses.

Ok, I shall try out those suggestions. Thank you.

I bought New penguin today myself... Finally =). Along with THE BIG GREY BOOK OF 555 RUSSIAN VERBS. Its like 501 russian verbs but a lot better. It gives tons of examples and shows sentences and even gives popular saying and phrases with each verb! Best 34 dollars i ever spent.

Originally Posted by Biancca

Also go to the library and see if they have any Russian Pimsleur courses.

NO! Pimsleur = Evil

OK, if you are have a book aswell, but by no means solely use Pimsleur.

Originally Posted by TATY

Originally Posted by Biancca

Also go to the library and see if they have any Russian Pimsleur courses.

NO! Pimsleur = Evil

OK, if you are have a book aswell, but by no means solely use Pimsleur.

I agree and the same goes for Rosetta Stone, you definitely need a book.

Originally Posted by Dogboy182

Along with THE BIG GREY BOOK OF 555 RUSSIAN VERBS.

I can't find it on Amazon.

Originally Posted by BlackMage

Originally Posted by Dogboy182

Along with THE BIG GREY BOOK OF 555 RUSSIAN VERBS.

I can't find it on Amazon.

That's 'cause it's The Big Silver Book of Russian Verbs

EDIT: I found this link with some seemingly good books Here

I can personally vouch for the "Russian Stories" dual-language book. My parents bought it for me for Christmas last year.