How to Learn the Russian Language Online
Russian is a difficult language to learn, particularly for native English speakers, because of its unfamiliar alphabet, sounds, pronunciation, and number of noun cases. However, with the right tools and a lot of dedication, you can learn Russian right from the comfort of your home. Follow these steps to learn the Russian language online.
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Instructions
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Learning Russian Online
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Assess your reasons for learning Russian, and identify your strengths and weaknesses in language learning. This step will help you plan and focus your learning schedule. If you are learning Russian for a specific reason, such as to read Russian literature in its original language, you should give priority to the reading aspect of learning the language. If you are learning because of an upcoming trip to Russia, then speaking and listening are priorities. Some students have strengths and weaknesses in the four components of language learning (reading, writing, listening, and speaking). If you find listening more difficult than reading, concentrate more on listening in your lessons. Keep in mind that with any language program, all four aspects ultimately share equal importance.
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Set aside a minimum of 15 minutes (preferably an hour) per day for learning the Russian language. This time allotment is, of course, not set in stone, but learning a new language requires consistency. Spending one Saturday afternoon on Russian lessons and then not picking them back up for two weeks will cause you to forget some of the material and therefore have to start over. If you set aside time each day, the language will remain fresh in your mind, and lesson points will be reinforced in your memory.
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Print out the Russian alphabet. Reading and writing are two of the four basic components of learning any language, and familiarizing yourself with the alphabet is the optimal start. The resource provided at the end of this article (see "Russian Alphabet" under Resources) exhibits an orderly layout of the Russian alphabet and includes an audio clip, as well as the spelled-out pronunciation, for each letter.
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Research the available online Russian lessons. There are many free Russian lessons online, and sometimes their strengths and weaknesses require you to select more than one. For example, while some free lessons offer helpful printouts to learn vocabulary and grammar, they don't include listening and speaking. Listen2Russian.com offers audio lessons for beginners. MasterRussian.com is another option for beginners, categorizing vocabulary, grammar points, and the most commonly used words and phrases. Russian audio CDs are available for download at MindZeit.com. Weigh the pros and cons of each set of available lessons.
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Set weekly goals. Weekly goals for learning Russian could include learning 10 new vocabulary words, understanding one or two grammar points, or mastering the pronunciation of certain words or letters. These weekly goals will also determine how your lessons are laid out. For example, two lessons could focus on vocabulary expansion, while one is a listening-based exercise. Keep in mind that you don't always have to chronologically follow the lesson layout of an online Russian-learning site.
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Find a native Russian speaker online. The most effective way to learn a language is by practicing with a native speaker. Plenty of sources online offer Russian-speaking "pen pals" who will exchange emails or chat to help you practice and master the Russian language. Refer to the Resources section for help finding such an exchange. Use voice chat audio tools with the native speaker as well. Once you have achieved a basic conversational level, you may also practice by going to Russian chat rooms.
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Test your progress. While your online lessons will usually offer tests and quizzes, more formal language assessment tests are also available online and can be useful in gauging your progress. See the Resources section for one such test.
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Tips & Warnings
Use podcasts, such as "A Spoonful of Russian" or "RussianPod101." Whether you're at the gym or doing household chores, listening to Russian lessons repeatedly helps the learning process. Even if you cannot devote a lot of attention to the lessons, replaying them while you're busy with other things is, in fact, effective in acclimating your ears to the sound of the language. Supplement your learning with authentic multimedia sources. Watching Russian films and reading Russian papers are effective ways to supplement your online language lessons and expand your understanding of Russian culture. Don't give up. Russian can seem like an overwhelming language for native English speakers to learn, but remember that any language can be mastered through time and dedication. Once you get over the major humps of understanding and familiarizing yourself with Russian (which will be at different points for different learners), the language will become easier and easier to learn.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Photo courtesy of Flickr.com/creativecommons: "Army Surplus" by Stevant
