Thread: What to do? So confused ...

I keep coming here for help. AND I get it. Which I totally love and thank each of you for your kindness.

Question though ...

My friend is teaching me ... But it is a bit slow going. (we have this odd sort of relationship, sigh, very convoluted really!) long story which I will save for another rainy day. LOL

Anyway ... I want desperately to learn russian better (and quicker) but not just the formal russian. My friend says he likes that I am trying BUT that I keep speaking to him like he is 80 years old. (SIGH)

PLUS he speaks to me where I have to "figure" out what it is he is telling me. Which that is ok, but so hard as I am not the smartest girl in the world (nor am I the dumbest) just slows me down. I am use to speaking what exactly is on my mind without mincing any words. I do not ever say something I do not mean. I don't play games, etc ... So this type of guessing and figuring out it hard. (HA ... but I LOVE challenges, and this certainly is one) AND I am trying to learn the humor in the words or way they are said.

Anyway I figure the best way to learn is to immerse myself into it, but how? Is there anyone out there willing to take on an american who really has a desire to learn with no motive behind it other than friendship? <---- that is what I feel like at the moment. hehee

So ideas? advice?

Hi, You want to practice in russian? What do you mean saying "Is there anyone out there willing to take on an american who really has a desire to learn..."?

As far as realized of all this "mind flow" you know Russian a bit but it's not enough to understand correctly what your friend's trying to tell( or type to) you, and you'd like to practise colloquial languige, right?
Maybe you first have should ask your friend to type more correctly russian words if you use English letters. In this case, would be easy to recognize the written. Forth try to learn the Cyrillic, it's not hard as it may seems, that would give you an opportunity to read and wright in russian forum and chats, that IMO is one of the easiest way to improve the languige skills.

Originally Posted by Selexin

Hi, You want to practice in russian? What do you mean saying "Is there anyone out there willing to take on an american who really has a desire to learn..."?

I stated this sentence because ... I genuinely want to learn to be able to help others in my area. I know a few (couples) that have moved here and are having a difficult time acclimating themselves to America. I want to show them that not all Americans are fake or rude. That there are a few of us out there that really genuinely care about others. Regardless of where anyone comes from, etc ... Somehow, I have to prove myself. So I learn so I can help them.

Originally Posted by alexone

As far as realized of all this "mind flow" you know Russian a bit but it's not enough to understand correctly what your friend's trying to tell( or type to) you, and you'd like to practise colloquial languige, right?

YES

Originally Posted by alexone

Maybe you first have should ask your friend to type more correctly russian words if you use English letters. In this case, would be easy to recognize the written. Forth try to learn the Cyrillic, it's not hard as it may seems, that would give you an opportunity to read and wright in russian forum and chats, that IMO is one of the easiest way to improve the languige skills.

Well ... my friend is very proud and easily offended. (I have asked that he type more correctly.) He says I type incorrectly and he is correcting me. But I see his typing is different than others I know and even on here.

I like and can decipher Cyrillic. But (and I stated this in other posts) we can only type in Latin letters on our cell phones because our cell phones do not have the Cyrillic alphabet.

Plus how do I tell if I write correctly here? I really do not want to offend anyone!

BTW ... so far this place is so nice. I like it here on this forum.

I don't really think that having a correspondence with a penpal will help you to learn Russian fast. If you are not willing to pay for intensive training (which I can relate to ), your best bet would be to:
a) obtain a good Russian textbook or enroll in a free online course (I am sure there must be some), and
b) whenever you have a specific question regarding Russian grammar or something related to Russian language, come here and ask away . There is no need to feel embarrassed about asking too many questions. This forum would die without people asking questions, so ask as often as you need or want
You may also want to consider making friends with Russians in your area, so that they can correct your pronunciation.

Originally Posted by emeraldeyez

But (and I stated this in other posts) we can only type in Latin letters on our cell phones because our cell phones do not have the Cyrillic alphabet.

Ah. I was under impression that you were exchanging e-mails with your Bielorussian friend. And if I am reading this correctly, he actually lives in the USA, and you are texting each other, right?

Originally Posted by translationsnmru

Originally Posted by emeraldeyez

But (and I stated this in other posts) we can only type in Latin letters on our cell phones because our cell phones do not have the Cyrillic alphabet.

Ah. I was under impression that you were exchanging e-mails with your Bielorussian friend. And if I am reading this correctly, he actually lives in the USA, and you are texting each other, right?

Da!!!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by translationsnmru

I don't really think that having a correspondence with a penpal will help you to learn Russian fast. If you are not willing to pay for intensive training (which I can relate to ), your best bet would be to:
a) obtain a good Russian textbook or enroll in a free online course (I am sure there must be some), and
b) whenever you have a specific question regarding Russian grammar or something related to Russian language, come here and ask away . There is no need to feel embarrassed about asking too many questions. This forum would die without people asking questions, so ask as often as you need or want
You may also want to consider making friends with Russians in your area, so that they can correct your pronunciation.

Paying for a tutor right now is rather difficult. Any extra I have goes into ballroom dancing and competition.
Thank you for making me feel good about asking questions. It is most appreciated!
I am slowly making friends. Very slowly.

Emeraldeyez, я думаю вам стоит начать писать свои посты на русском, а мы будем с удовольствием отвечать на них и исправлять ваши ошибки.
Что касается вашего друга, то возможно он просто безграмотно говорит. Тем более, если он из Белоруссии, то его речь может быть искажена влиянем белорусского языка. Белорусская речь довольно своеобразна.
Интересно, а есть в Америке русскоязычные каналы телевидения? Это прекрасная возможность при изучении языка, очень помогает учиться понимать речь на слух.
Не помешало бы также приобрести хороший учебник.
В общем дерзайте! Мы всегда поможем.

- learn the alphabet (print and cursive)
- learn pronunciation
- get a few good books on grammar, and learn learn learn.

i've been learning on my own for many months now, and i found you have to be very focused when working with native speakers, they are eager to teach you certain phrases vocab etc but it will be better in teh long run to get down teh grammar first. So do simple rudimentary excersices with them to reinforce everything first. Then you can start actually trying to have real conversations.. Just my 2 cents.

Originally Posted by noheat

learn learn learn.

Reminds of

Originally Posted by emeraldeyez

Well ... my friend is very proud and easily offended. (I have asked that he type more correctly.) He says I type incorrectly and he is correcting me. But I see his typing is different than others I know and even on here.

I realize it's not really my business, but I think your friend should be more tolerant as well. Anyway, I really doubt there's a quick solution to start speaking colloquial language without at least learning the fundamentals. You'd probably need to first settle on the way the sentences are formed and beef up your vocabulary. After about 1,000 words you should be able to speak good enough to learn from casually/carelessly formed speech as well. Based on my personal experience, I would highly recommend memorizing complete phrases (and texts) rather than isolate words. I used VOA Special English for that purpose, but unfortunately I'm presently unaware of a similar resource in Russian. I guess someone else on this forum definitely would be. Good luck!

I'll try to give my advise too.
1) watch to easy short videos (my choise for study English - 25min's episodes of "Friends") with Rus&Engl subs. I think serials its the best. Try to find "Саша и Маша" for example (but I suppose there isn't subs ). Even if you can't understand all, keep watching, one and one more times. (Movies isn't a good idea, cos you bored to watched them many times)
2) Skype! http://forum.skype.com/index.php?showforum=140
3) grammer, grammer, grammer Учи матчасть!
4) You should to have a teacher (I think its worth to do, to have a lesson at least one time a week )
Main thing - don't lose your interest, do it every day... my opinion... good luck!

emeraldeyez -

where in eastern usa do you live? is there a large russian population in your state? you might be able to find a cheap tutor if so.. Friends are not always the best teachers.

Originally Posted by Selexin

Emeraldeyez, я думаю вам стоит начать писать свои посты на русском, а мы будем с удовольствием отвечать на них и исправлять ваши ошибки.
Что касается вашего друга, то возможно он просто безграмотно говорит. Тем более, если он из Белоруссии, то его речь может быть искажена влиянем белорусского языка. Белорусская речь довольно своеобразна.
Интересно, а есть в Америке русскоязычные каналы телевидения? Это прекрасная возможность при изучении языка, очень помогает учиться понимать речь на слух.
Не помешало бы также приобрести хороший учебник.
В общем дерзайте! Мы всегда поможем.

Спасибо
Я прислушаюсь ваш.
Я думаю вы правы что он говорит литерал.
Я сказан белорусский язык очень уникально.
То там некоторыми сходствами к русскому, но не много.
Мой следующий проект, получить ТВ канал русского языка. 2 здесь.

Originally Posted by noheat

- learn the alphabet (print and cursive)
- learn pronunciation
- get a few good books on grammar, and learn learn learn.

i've been learning on my own for many months now, and i found you have to be very focused when working with native speakers, they are eager to teach you certain phrases vocab etc but it will be better in teh long run to get down teh grammar first. So do simple rudimentary excersices with them to reinforce everything first. Then you can start actually trying to have real conversations.. Just my 2 cents.

Я понимаю!

Originally Posted by Crocodile

Originally Posted by emeraldeyez

Well ... my friend is very proud and easily offended. (I have asked that he type more correctly.) He says I type incorrectly and he is correcting me. But I see his typing is different than others I know and even on here.

I realize it's not really my business, but I think your friend should be more tolerant as well. Anyway, I really doubt there's a quick solution to start speaking colloquial language without at least learning the fundamentals. You'd probably need to first settle on the way the sentences are formed and beef up your vocabulary. After about 1,000 words you should be able to speak good enough to learn from casually/carelessly formed speech as well. Based on my personal experience, I would highly recommend memorizing complete phrases (and texts) rather than isolate words. I used VOA Special English for that purpose, but unfortunately I'm presently unaware of a similar resource in Russian. I guess someone else on this forum definitely would be. Good luck!

I agree to a point that maybe he should be a bit more tolerant. BUT ... I take him for what he is. He means well.

Right now I have pimsler ... which I know is not great, BUT I could get from the library and download to my computer for free. So I listen to this daily. I go on youtube and itunes for podcasts. I also downloaded russian music which I listen to daily on my ipod and also found a few internet russian radio stations. (I play at work and have submitted all of my co-workers to the russian too. hehee) So totally trying to immerse myself into it.

Originally Posted by Shurick

I'll try to give my advise too.
1) watch to easy short videos (my choise for study English - 25min's episodes of "Friends") with Rus&Engl subs. I think serials its the best. Try to find "Саша и Маша" for example (but I suppose there isn't subs ). Even if you can't understand all, keep watching, one and one more times. (Movies isn't a good idea, cos you bored to watched them many times)
2) Skype! http://forum.skype.com/index.php?showforum=140
3) grammer, grammer, grammer Учи матчасть!
4) You should to have a teacher (I think its worth to do, to have a lesson at least one time a week )
Main thing - don't lose your interest, do it every day... my opinion... good luck!

1. yep doing the video thing online. well trying to...
2. skype ... what is this? I keep hearing it, but what is it?
3. gottcha!
4. I did. But money is an issue at this time.

I promise, I won't lose interest. The language, the people, to beautiful!

Originally Posted by noheat

emeraldeyez -

where in eastern usa do you live? is there a large russian population in your state? you might be able to find a cheap tutor if so.. Friends are not always the best teachers.

I live in MD. There is a fairly large russian community here, but keep well to themselves unless it's the younger crowd. Not what I'd like to do. hehee (I am talking a 10 to 15 year age difference)

Agreed friends are not always.