Thread: I know this has been covered before but need advice

I am sorry for maybe repeating other threads and replies. However I seem to be getting myself more confused the further I go when trying to learn this language.

My aim is to be able to read and speak Russian to a good standard. Whilst I appreciate this will take time I am confused as to the best way to go about learning it.

I first started off learning basic Russian words via voice recordings and can remember a lot of them . most though they don't come up in everyday conversation or if they do they need to be expanded on to form a sentence.So I thought I would study the written word via the Penguin Russian Course.. taking it slowly so that I understand it..

However it is hard for me to asses what kind of stage I should be at after 1 month of studying. (I know it isn't much time) I can understand @ 100 words in Russian . and know names of @ 100 items in Russian .. I also know some basic Russian sentences ..

But I am frustrated (if this is the right word) at not being able to understand more I have to rely on the online translator to find the words I need if I am writing in Russian Or when I see the words I don't always know how they are pronounced..

I do have the help of a number of People on this board to whom I am grateful. But my question is rather than going from one to another - language and written,
what is the most effective way to learn would it be written as you find new words or spoken, how do I extend my knowledge would it be better to go to a library and see if there are basic maybe even children's books that are translated or written in Russian and build up from there?

Or would it be better to approach a tutor in order to gain some structure to my learning?

I am sorry if this post sounds confusing but I am a bit disheartened at not being able to decide on a clear path in order to progress,
If someone who has had similar questions when they first stared out and can provide an opinion I would appreciate it

Thanks for looking in

It sounds to me like you are doing fine. The structure you can get from your New Penguin book.

I personally believe grammar is more important than learning random words. Learn the main grammar first of all before everything then deal with vocabulary and other stuff. Then you can read stuff, understand the sentance structures and you'll pick up the words on the way.

This might not be the best way for everone but it is for me.

I agree with basurero-don't sweat the vocabulary until you have down basic grammar. Otherwise, learning vocabulary will probably be confusing. But when you do want to start studying vocabulary, I recommend "Russian Learner's Dictionary" by Nicholas Brown. Useful book, that.

Get a tutor! I think that is the best for a beginner, then you can get things explained to you in accordance to your level and needs. You can ask questions and get immediate answers. You will get immediate help with your pronouncation. I see only plusses (not considering cost)!

I agree with kalinka_vinnie. Get a tutor. Pay money.

Just think of how fluent you were in English following total submersion and one-on-one contact for your first month. =:^)

or find a Russian friend in your area and immerse yourself that way... i know it could be difficult to find a russian person in your area but you could try.. maybe find a Russian-American club or something.. or hang out more often in a Russian restaurant/cafe etc.. you get the idea.. i have a russian friend but rarely see her because she is busy with school and work.. but hopefully in the future she will be able to hang out more... she is out in brooklyn and im out further east in long island...

It's hard to make friends speak their native language to you when you don't understand 10% of what they are saying, unless you make an effort.

When I went to Russia I thought I would make many russian friends, but the communication problem became too large. Only towards the end did I manage to befriend the fickle Russian people

And not only that, the Russians you befriend, who live in the USA usually don't want to spend their whole time speaking Russian with you because it is so frustrating for them to listen to you............You will have to tell them that you are from Wahjongtusi and don't know how to speak English, only a little Russian.

Thank you all for your replies - I must say that of the many Russian People I have met through this and other boards, the impression I have is that they are very very understanding and willing to give there time for no other reward than to help.

Whilst I appreicate that you cannot judge a tiny percentage as being the norm for the whole population I am however encouraged by the posotive repsonses and genuine advice given by members on here and elsewere.

Sufice to say I have decided to "shell out some spondolies" and "go with the flow" and find a tutor hopefully this will produce some results in the forthcoming months and before you know it I will be chatting merily with the most hardend KGB infiltrator! and he wont notice the difference (I think not)

The only downside is that you would think that because I live in Manchester there would be a Russian community or a Russian centre were fellow countrymen would meet alas this is not the case so I cannot go to such a place to improve my spoken word.

But I have noticed a suspicious looking person in my local "pub" who has all the halmarks of being a subversive Russian she even speaks like a Russian and translates Russian to English < do you think she is genuine???

Once again many thanks

But I have noticed a suspicious looking person in my local "pub" who has all the halmarks of being a subversive Russian she even speaks like a Russian and translates Russian to English < do you think she is genuine???

The next time you come to that pub, take a Russain magazine with you and start to read. Exclaim "Кто бы мог подумать!", "Нет, вы это видели???" every three minutes. Tell us if it worked.

You should check your local newspapers for adverts offering teaching. You could also go to some language school and try some private lessons there. If you know of a Russian store somewhere, there should be some billboard with offerings. Consider looking via the web, do you have something similiar to craigslist.org in the UK (a online billboard basically)? That is where I found my tutors. You might consider advertising yourself in the newspaper... the world is your oyster!!!