Thread: russian textbooks

I guess the phrase was - Вот мы и в аэропорту "Внуково"

Правда, I spelled Внуково as an American would (for various reasons ). And also, I thought it was На and not В. Guess I have a selective (PC way of saying poor) memory.

Так... => <<Я еще вспоминаю когда я слушал мое первое Русское предложение! "Вот мы и в аэропорту Внуково!"

Аhhhhh.....(Я вздыхал).... воспоминании

i found 'The Penguin Russian Course' quite good, and it doesn't start with здравстуйте so you can get your pronounciation correct. I think it was originally by н.а. потапова, and then translated into english.

Originally Posted by tsig

What is a good textbook to start with for learning Russian? I have heard of Golosa and Nachalo. Are either of those any good? Thanks, me.

I used Начало (Nachalo) when I first began learning Russian. It's not a bad book if you just want to get a basic handle on the language. However, if you really understand how languages work and want full explanations of all grammar concepts, it's awful. By the time I got half-way through the first book I couldn't stand it anymore and I had to get something that explained things better. I really like Modern Russian. A good second-year book is Making Progress in Russian.

Hope that helps.

I use Голоса as my main book and i think it's really good. i just finished book 1 so obviously onto book 2. i was using Face to Face additionally, but to me this book seems a little outdated and kind of cheesy. i wasn't particularly impressed with it. let's see, as for additional resources i also have that Penguin Russian Course Book that kicks mucho culo (spanish!), then another one called Essentials of Russian...it's rather old but it is VERY good at explaining aspects of grammar and has pretty good reading practice. then of course i got that 501 Russian Verbs book and some other mickey mouse stuff. i've got myself made right now but i am always looking for more.

Originally Posted by Jasper May

Look on www.amazon.com

Some tips:
Get the New Pinguin Russian Course by Nicholas Brown (search Russian Brown)
Get the Russian Learners' Dictionary by Nicholas Brown (search Russian Brown 10,000). This lists ten thousand of the most frequent words in Russian, enough to 'be regarded as competent in Russian for all normal purposes' i.e. post-graduate level.

These should prepare you enough.

I've met Nicholas J. Brown. He is a lecturer at a university i had a medical interview at (UNiversity College London). His book New Pinguin Russian Course is very very good.

Originally Posted by Nicko

I use Голоса as my main book and i think it's really good. i just finished book 1 so obviously onto book 2. i was using Face to Face additionally, but to me this book seems a little outdated and kind of cheesy. i wasn't particularly impressed with it. let's see, as for additional resources i also have that Penguin Russian Course Book that kicks mucho culo (spanish!), then another one called Essentials of Russian...it's rather old but it is VERY good at explaining aspects of grammar and has pretty good reading practice. then of course i got that 501 Russian Verbs book and some other mickey mouse stuff. i've got myself made right now but i am always looking for more.

I got 501 russian verbs too. I rarely use it tho. I also got "Take Off in Russian" the book is shit, but it comes with 4 hours of audio, I only listen to the CDs.

My list:

New Pinguin Russian Course
Take off in Russian (Oxford)
501 Russian Verbs
Concise Russian Dictionary (Its big, i like 'em big )
Collins Gem Russian Dictionary
200 Km/h In the Wrong Lane CD

Another book I've found useful is "Essential Russian Grammar" by Brian Kemple published by Dover Publications, NY. It's not quite as comprehensive as the Oxford book by Wade but its layout is easier for a learner.

Ron

Originally Posted by TATY

My list:

New Pinguin Russian Course
Take off in Russian (Oxford)
501 Russian Verbs
Concise Russian Dictionary (Its big, i like 'em big )
Collins Gem Russian Dictionary
200 Km/h In the Wrong Lane CD

:snicker: Haha. What a great resource. =P

I've met Nicholas J. Brown.

So have I. The man oozes Slavonic competence at every orifice, doesn't he? Sigh.

For those at a more advanced level, Derrek Offord's "Using Russian" is great. Like an everything you always wanted to know about Russian but were afraid to ask. (It covers neologisms, regional differences, and yes, even dirty words!)

My teacher constructs our Russian textbooks. They are good except that they contain a LOT of busy-work. :-p