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How to Learn Russian
If you are interested to learn Russian, the best place to begin would be with the Russian or Cyrillic alphabet. If you are planning traveling to the country, this would be an even better idea, as you would be able to read (or decipher at least) the basic things around you such as the signs on the road, menus, and so on - without having to feel depressingly illiterate.
Although the alphabet may appear daunting to the novice, many agree that it is not a difficult script to learn, and learning how to speak it can prove to be a greater challenge.
However, despite some of these difficulties - for instance, infamously long words like zhenonenavistniehestvo (meaning misogyny) or sometimes complicated conjugation, there is an increasing number of students worldwide learning the language and getting through successfully.
As with all languages, choosing the right method of instruction is vital, and your success largely depends on the amount of commitment you have to learning the particular language, in terms of time and practice. Some people do well learn and Russian in the home environment, through software or tapes perhaps. Others fare better in a classroom atmosphere, where there is personal communication with an instructor and other students. Online options can offer you both, albeit a virtual classroom, and conversations with the teacher tend to be in chat rooms or by email.
But the best way by far to learn the language would be to travel to Russia (or another Russian speaking area), and immerse yourself in everything Russian.
Listed below are 4 ways to learn Russian and if you apply yourself to one or more of these methods you will be speaking, writing and thinking the Russian language in no time.
1. Take Russian Lessons
Sign up for a proper class at your local university, an adult education centre or at a language school. If the thought of returning to a classroom setting seems daunting or unsuitable for your schedule, check out the many places online or invest in some tapes or videos.
2. Write in Russian
The internet has many areas to do this, through forums, message boards, chat rooms and so on. Practice on your own as well (less embarrassing for beginners), or find a penpal to correspond with.
3. Watch Russian
If you've ever been to Russia or watched a Russian film, you'll discover that the Russian language is not merely about the spoken word, but involves a varying amount of gestures, physical movement and facial expressions. A very good way to learn Russian when watching a Russian movie on TV is to cover the sub-titles with masking tape.
4. Be Creative
If you have children, involve them in learning the language, do things together like cook while speaking Russian, play games and sing songs. The internet has a lot of resources for this sort of thing. Learn 5 words a day, make yourself do a "Russian" activity every week.
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