Quote Originally Posted by zedeeyen View Post
Don't forget that English in Russia is a widespread academic subject which most learners begin in school, so beginner English texts in Russia are introductory-level academic works. In contrast, academic Russian is virtually unheard-of in anglo countries and the overwhelming majority of Russian-learners are teaching themselves in their own time, and so beginner Russian texts are more like hobby or self-help books than academic textbooks.

There is a world of difference between learning a language as an academic subject and learning a language to "get by" conversationally. Different motivations, different market, different approach.
I couldn't have said it better myself. I'm hoping to be in Russia long-term, which is why I wanted to know precisely how to pronounce things. But some people just want to take a short trip to Russia, so they want to learn just enough to communicate. If they speak slowly, Russians will understand them based on context, just like we in America still understand people who speak poor English.