Thread: Language schools on Moscow/St Petersburg recommendations?

I want to visit Russia this fall to take a 2 week intensive language course to develop my skills and ability to converse. I have done 13 credit hours of College Russian, but still feel pretty useless at the moment. Does anyone have any recommendations? I've looked at the sites for MGU and St P university courses for individuals, but can't decide.

Thanks for your help!

watch movies. even if you don't speak as well, movies will help you understand better. as a russian who came to america with a basic knowledge of english I know from experience. the thing that helps you learn how the language is TV up to some moment.

besides, russians have the best movies ever.

Both Moscow and St.Petersburg offer exciting opportunities to learn Russian. We can recommend MGU in Moscow (www.studyrussian.com) and ProBa in St.Petersburg (www.studyrussian.spb.ru).

Best is, of course, to learn language before you go to Russia

I'll be studying at MGU in August. There are many different companies that have programs at most of the major universities along with the programs given by the actual university. Check each one carefully as some are a lot more expensive than the regular university program.

Ladies from Moscow, can you tell me what are the latest fashions? What kind of shoes, pants, etc. are the girls wearing this summer? I need to know what to pack for a month's stay! Also what colors in clothes and makeup are fashionable this year. Thanks!

Well, I'm in Petersburg, but is seems to me that young female fashion consists mainly of really, really tight jeans, high heels with pointy, curled-up toes, and lots of leather, mostly black, but a lot of kind of marbled brown. As for make-up, color seems irrelevant - it's the amount that counts. Mascara and eyeliner are an absolute must, and they are usually black.

So, fashion is, in a word, aggressive.

I've been back in the US for 29 days and still feel naked without 3 layers of makeup! I'm going back in January and am already packing pants that are a size too small. But I can't manage those pointy shoes, I tried on a few pair in Moscow and couldn't tolerate the pain for even the few minutes they were on my feet! I guess I'll never truely be a Москвичка.

Yeah, none of my clothes are snug enough! Especially since I got the evil Russian flu and lost a bunch of weight. And I really want to buy a pair of those elf-like high heels with the curled-up toes, but I know I'll never wear them...

Try www.ef.com, one of the most famous in the world. Very expensive, but intensive and good.

Go to the обувь and check out your choices for winter boots. Pointed, curled up toes and 3 inch spike heels! Should be fun on the icy streets.

Man, I went to the shoe store, 'cuz I didn't have room in my luggage to bring my good winter boots when I came. Agh. After much searching, I managed to find some nice knee-high leather boots with square toes and tiny heels, thank goodness. Although I suppose those giant spikes could, potentially, serve as cleats ice picks, which would be useful.

I'm still searching for "no heels" boots. They are hard to find even in America. Of course snow boots aren't real necessary in Southern California. But walking all over Moscow in anything but flats is torture. I ended up putting all but 2 pair of my shoes back in my suitcase. I also need to find boots with a sole that won't slip on the ice. I hear the streets in winter are deadly.

Hi,
is it a matter of principle for you to go to Moscow or SPb? If so, check out Moscow Linguistic Centre (language-learning.ru), they are very decent.
Otherwise there is a very good school in Kaliningrad, which is much more affordable. It is called PRIVET and their website is www.myrussian.ru. By the way, they work in cooperation with MasterRussian. If you go in summer, you have a big advantage - the Baltic sea is just half an hour drive away.

Originally Posted by tonyicon

I want to visit Russia this fall to take a 2 week intensive language course to develop my skills and ability to converse. I have done 13 credit hours of College Russian, but still feel pretty useless at the moment. Does anyone have any recommendations? I've looked at the sites for MGU and St P university courses for individuals, but can't decide.

Thanks for your help!

We have just partnered with "Privet" language school. You might want to consider it as well: http://masterrussian.com/schools/privet

Try BKC school. 7300026, Moscow, center