How to Learn to Read and Write Russian

Currently, an estimated 170 million people use Russian as their primary language.

An estimated 300 million people speak the Russian language worldwide. Currently, speakers live not only in the ancestral home of the Slavic language, but throughout eastern Europe, the United States and in the many nations that formerly constituted the Soviet Union. In the United States, both high school and collegiate institutions offer Russian language training, while continuing education programs and private web-based services sell videos and language software. Non-native speakers who seek Russian language skills benefit from the myriad of learning formats currently available.

Things You'll Need

• Russian language software
• Russian translation dictionary

Instructions

1. Purchase language software. There are a large number of language-based programs designed to provide in-home training for non-native Russian speakers. Commercially available software provides animated training platforms, video pronunciation demonstration, written examinations and presentations on Russian culture.

2. Take a college-level course. Enroll in a local Russian language class held by a community college or learning center. These classes often provide native Russian instructors who present a direct cultural perspective to assist in learning to read and write the language.

3. Host a foreign exchange student. Native speakers of the Russian language participate in the well-known foreign exchange student program. These students provide a direct link to the dialect spoken in the home region of the student, along with specific cultural information often difficult to obtain in a stateside classroom setting.

4. Participate in local Russian cultural events. The local Russian community provides a wealth of information and language training for interested non-native speakers through cultural events and gatherings. Many states across the US contain Russian communities and families who make use of the Russian language in their day-to-day activities. Attend holiday events, community dinners and religious gatherings to gain an understanding of dialect and conversational use of the Russian language.

5. Watch Russian-language movies and videos. Popular Internet video websites host thousands of Russian language videos covering a diverse range of subject-matter. Watch these videos along with DVD and VHS recordings such as Russian language movies and television broadcasts.

6. Study Russian martial arts. Enroll in a local studios teaching Russian-based martial arts systems such as Sambo and Systema. This training provides the opportunity to interact with instructors who may be native speakers of the Russian language. In addition, the training also provides an introduction to phrases, words and regional associations related to the martial arts.

References

• Russnet: Language Learning Modules
• Master Russian: Learn Russian Language Free