Thread: A few questions on Russian beginner resources.

Hello. I am new on these boards (and to Russian) and I have a few questions about learning resources. :)

My first step in familiarizing myself with Russian was to purchase Russian: A Self Teaching Guide from a local bookstore. I'm not very far into it but I feel like I'm plowing ahead a little too quickly as I have no one to 'check my work' (or pronunciation). Therefore, I feel I should purchase some Russian learning software -- but I hear it can be expensive. About how much should I plan on spending on CDs, books, or tapes if I am, for the most part, teaching myself? And are there any specific recommendations for products? I hear Rosetta Stone is good, does anyone agree?

Also, I heard from someone that it was a good idea to listen to songs with Russian lyrics before you even start learning so as to familiarize yourself with the accents and rhythm patterns of the language and make it that much easier to simulate them in your own speech. Is this true? If so, does anyone have any recommendations? Free music is my favorite, by the way. :)

Also, I haven't purchased any audio tapes, dictionaries, or phrase books yet. Recommendations in those areas (while redundant in the context of these forums, I suppose) would also be helpful.

-i have no idea about that book, but your local library should have a few resources for free. i know many ppl have good things to say about the new penguin russian course (i havent seen it myself), walmart.com has it for $11. if you are really cheap you may check p2p. beware of pimsleur, some of the things it teaches are mighty unusual (although it will help pronunciation).

-listening to songs is a good thing, find smth you like. Beware that pronunciation in songs will be different from that in regular speech (try listening to talk radio or something, too). you may want to check allofmp3.com: it is comprehensive (has almost all music one can think of, russian or not); previews are free; downloads are not free but still quite cheap (several cents per song depending on quality).

and rosetta stone is imho just ridiculous (ridiculously expensive too, but even if you get it for free, its not worth the time you spend installing/uninstalling the thing).

Originally Posted by oatmealia

...Also, I heard from someone that it was a good idea to listen to songs with Russian lyrics before you even start learning so as to familiarize yourself with the accents and rhythm patterns of the language and make it that much easier to simulate them in your own speech. Is this true? If so, does anyone have any recommendations? Free music is my favorite, by the way.
... .

You do not have to go far. Here you might find something helpful:
http://masterrussian.net/mforum/viewtopic.php?t=5264
http://masterrussian.net/mforum/viewtopic.php?t=5256
http://masterrussian.net/mforum/viewtopic.php?t=4492
http://masterrussian.net/mforum/viewtopic.php?t=5462
http://masterrussian.net/mforum/viewtopic.php?t=5265
http://masterrussian.net/mforum/viewtopic.php?t=5535
http://masterrussian.net/mforum/viewtopic.php?t=5495
http://masterrussian.net/mforum/viewtopic.php?t=5437.

If your library has "Pimsleur Russian Comprehensive" Borrow them and copy. They will help your pronounciation and get you started but at this point in your studies anything will help.