Thread: One More Newbie

Hey, I'm a student and i just started trying to tech myself russian about a month ago. I havent learned very much and i was hoping someone could give me an idea of how i should start out. I have a part time job, and about 1/4 of the people their are russian so i can ask them how to pronounce things and i bought a berlitz book called essintial russian. I think my problem is i dont know if i should just try to learn as many verbs as possible or study grammer or memorize vocab. I have alot of free time so i can study every day for a good two to three hours.

Thanks for all comments and suggestions.
FunFun

I'd say definitely take advantage of your co-workers (if they're cheerfully willing) because that will help you a lot. Also, take advantage of these kickass forums lol because they are often quite helpful as well. What I would say (having been studying a bunch of different languages for 5 years) is that vocab is not much good without grammar. Then again grammar is NO good without vocab. A healthy balance is best. The most important thing is to make sure you do everything thoroughly...study things even after you think you know them, JUST so you don't forget. And on those days when you're feeling particularly ambitious and run through 4 chapters of your book, don't think you know it heh, cuz it probably didn't stick too well. (Altho that sort of enthusiasm is admirable, it doesn't make for terrific memory ^_~) yay...maybe that was mildly helpful o_O

~dUcK!

I have ordered the book everyone here recommends. The Penguin New Russian or something like that, and I have downloaded Rosetta Stone, Pimsleur (You can get it on the local library or on well assorted filesharing services) and the free course from Princeton University.

I plan on spending a little time with each of them to see what is best, and I am signing up for a beginners couse in russian starting mid september.

First impressions on the electronic material (Done first lesson in all)

Rosetta Stone: OK - The do not explain things like in, over, under, the just put the words there on top of the pictures. Also they do not explain the reasoning behind the end of the word changing. First chapter is focused on verbs. Not sure about rest. Software good, recording feature so you can hear your down pronounciation and compare to reference.

Pimsleur: Purely audio (+ 2 lessons learning to read russians), seems to get you to do conversations pretty quick. Feels OK for being audio-only.

Princeton (http://www.princeton.edu/russian/SLA101/ - 84 lessons + MP3s + 5-15 pages supporting material per lesson): Seems to be the best with most focus on grammar and other things. Not really much repeat-after-me yet. Guess this will be handle on class.

As it is, I will probably do both more Pimsleur and Princeton. Rosetta Stone will be kept for when I drop one of the other. Since you have access to rusians, I would recommend you try the Princeton material.

You have no idea how lucky you are to have co workers who are russian. learn from them--and while youre at home study basic russian.

Pimsleur is major memories heh. I downloaded the first couple lessons (yes cheap I know) and went over them several times. That was the first Russian I ever studied, along with the cyrillic alphabet. It doesn't help your penmenship or spelling skills, but you sure remember the stuff they teach you. I remember going into Russian and thinking, "oh THAT's how you spell 'Вы понимаете по-русски?'"

Yay for the Princeton course (so far) I can finally call someone an idiot! ^_^ but...*cough* that's hardly what matters...

~dUcK!

Does anyone know about a publised book for Princeton material?

baltaaa, take a look at the last post date. It was almost 2 years ago.

yes,you are right, i havent realised that. thanks for the warning
but i am still looking for that book...