Quote Originally Posted by chaika
It is really difficult for an adult to learn Russian without learning grammar. And Russian certainly has a lot of it! I learned Russian the normal way in school, and I would suggest you pick up a textbook that explains grammar too.

Otherwise with Pimsleur I think you just have to memorize четыре ребёнка but пять детей. Sticking with Pimsleur will leave you with a lot of questions of this type.

It is a lot easier learning the language's grammar -- in this case we just have one grammatical rule: after numbers 2-3-4 (and compounds ending in them, such as 22, 33) use the genitive singular of a noun, after 5 and above use the genitive plural.
Chaika, I sorta understand what your saying. I don't mean that grammar is not important, but my idea is that it's just as easy (for me, at least) to memorize четыре ребёнка but пять детей. But you are right...I do have questions like this. But that's where MR forum comes in. Nice people to help!

I do have New Penguin Russian book, and perhaps I will study it on the side, while doing Pimsleur and Rosetta Stone. The more sources, the better, I suppose.