Thread: Beginner Reading.

Hello, I'm a first year student studying Russian at Louisiana State University. Summer's coming up and I'd like to have some practice this summer and really work on my vocabulary. Can somebody tell me where I could find some books or any kind of reading material that I could read as an advanced beginner - early intermediate? My grammar is very good but my vocabulary definitely leaves something to be desired. I would really appreciate any help someone could offer.

P. S. In case anybody is wondering, at LSU we're using Начало the second edition. I am currently in book II and I believe we test on the ninth chapter on Friday and begin work on the tenth chapter some time next week.

P. S. S. Retaining vocabulary words is very difficult for me. If anybody can help me develop a method to better studying my vocabulary, it would be greatly appreciated.

Justin Hahn.

Check out "Graded Russian Readers". It's basically an abridged text of stories written by Lermentov, Pushkin and Turgenev - which means the grammer will be easier to understand. It also offers definitions for new words at the bottom of the page, so you can quickly look them up. It also stresses building of vocabulary by re-using words so you get them down.

As for general retention of vocab - you have to keep using it! Maybe check out some russian news sites or read russian on a daily basis. For me, flash cards work the best, and then if I write them in a few sentances I usually get it down.

tdk

For learning vocabulary, I use Interlex.

http://www.vocab.co.uk/

I listen to music. If you can read along with the lyrics it's nice and interesting.

Originally Posted by BlackMage

I listen to music. If you can read along with the lyrics it's nice and interesting.

Originally Posted by BlackMage

I listen to music. If you can read along with the lyrics it's nice and interesting.

He's lying. He actually just reads the various Russian bride web-sites.

Originally Posted by Barmaley

He's lying. He actually just reads the various Russian bride web-sites.

Nah, I don't need to pay to get a Russian bride.

Правильно писать "Лермонтов".

I use pimsleur and yandex to do vocab. Personally, I need to hear and see a word written to get accurate pronounciation, and sometimes I can even connotate the meaning to the word so I don't need to translate it as I'm listening to one speak. As a plus, use the words in a conversation. That's why I lack a great vocabulary span, I'm not instantly immersed into the russian language enough to hear words I just read 5 seconds ago. Maybe you're the same way.

Originally Posted by kwatts59

For learning vocabulary, I use Interlex.

http://www.vocab.co.uk/

Excellent site Kwatts. Now if only I can get this to work on the smartphone.

Originally Posted by tohca

Originally Posted by kwatts59

For learning vocabulary, I use Interlex.

http://www.vocab.co.uk/

Excellent site Kwatts. Now if only I can get this to work on the smartphone.

Thanks.
I store a word on my cell phone so everytime I look at my phone I see the word. A different word every day. I do whatever it takes to memorize words.

Originally Posted by BlackMage

I listen to music. If you can read along with the lyrics it's nice and interesting.

you listen to Шнур, dont you?

Originally Posted by Chuvak

Originally Posted by BlackMage

I listen to music. If you can read along with the lyrics it's nice and interesting.

you listen to Шнур, dont you?

Of course!

Originally Posted by BlackMage

I listen to music. If you can read along with the lyrics it's nice and interesting.

Listening is indeed really good. I listen to music and radio as well. The news channel online, www.svoboda.org ... veeery good if you wanna improve listening skills!

Barmaley wrote:
He's lying. He actually just reads the various Russian bride web-sites.


Nah, I don't need to pay to get a Russian bride.

u also don't need to "read" Russian bride websites