How to Learn Advanced Russian

Russian is a difficult, but valuable language to learn.

Mastery of the Russian language can be a worthwhile endeavor. Russian is spoken in more than 30 countries and by approximately 270 million people worldwide. However, it is also one of the most difficult languages to learn, requiring hundreds of hours to become fluent. To achieve a basic grasp of Russian you need to know grammar, vocabulary and verb conjugation. To become fluent, frequent practice is required.

Instructions

1. Immerse yourself in Russian culture. Listen and speak Russian as often as possible. Practice real conversations rather than classroom exercises. Living in a Russian neighborhood or community is highly recommended.

2. Read Russian literature and popular publications on a daily basis to become more familiar with common words and phrases. Well-known books you can read in the original Russian include "Doctor Zhivago" by Boris Pasternak and "Crime and Punishment" by Fyodor Dostoevsky.

3. Establish friendships with Russian people and spend time communicating in their native tongue. Talking to Russian people can help you understand contemporary phrases and slang that may not be taught in a classroom setting or on audio compact disks.

4. Frequently review your grammar and vocabulary lessons. Before you can learn advanced Russian, you need a solid grasp of basic and intermediate Russian.

5. Enroll in an advanced Russian language course at a college, community college or language school in your area. Also do a search of the Ask Edu website to find Russian training programs and schools in the United States. Or check out international cultural centers in your area.

References

• New World Encyclopedia: Russian Language
• Russian Language
• Ask Edu: Russian Training Courses