Learning Languages?

[Spreadbury]

I want to try and learn a new language (Russian) and I was wondering if anyone here knows of a good place to try and do just that, preferably outside a university- unless of course i'm mistaken and should attempt it at university. Opinions anyone?

[mattrossi1]

A good resource is http://how-to-learn-any-language.com/e/index.html.  That website covers numerous self study resources, methods/techniques among others.

[MuggedByReality]

   there's Rosetta Stone software, which I haven't tried, but looks good

[vexx]

A good resource is http://how-to-learn-any-language.com/e/index.html.  That website covers numerous self study resources, methods/techniques among others.

+1

   there's Rosetta Stone software, which I haven't tried, but looks good

No, whatever you do, do NOT use rosetta stone. It is probably one of the worst language learning programs/methods ever!!!!! Trust me and every language learner out there...

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Now Russian, a good place to start is the Assimil course (audio/book) just order online, and work through it using a method that you find best (heaps of that language forum linked above), and this if completed will give you the best introduction to the language ending up with strong foundation, often approaching more than intermediate levels.

Look through that site for Russian methods by searching about anyways.

[Spreadbury]

I had a look over that site (thank you), but it does seem a little dated, not necessarily in the methods but rather what it recommends- one of the books suggested used a cassette, and I wouldn't even know where to buy a cassette player.

I also looked through Assimil's courses, and no Russian for English speakers courses were available. I extended my search and found a program I thought sounded OK (I do however remain skeptical of any program descriptions) but when reading the description of one such program it stated "Guided by language instructor Natasha Bershadski, each CD takes you through an interactive lesson with tow other learners. Within an hour you'll be speaking and understanding simple phrases. By the end of the program, you'll be able to express yourself confidently in Mandarin Chinese."

Probably just a typo... but still. I'm aware Russian wouldn't be very common, but can anyone suggest a known reliable program?

[vexx]

It's called Russian Without Toil (1950s), the older Assimil are meant to be far better than the new 'with ease' ones. And you will be able to find this as an ebook and audio for free somewhere online (aka, not completely legal, torrents/etc.), or pay somewhat of a large amount for the no longer in print course.

Otherwise, there are heaps of other courses, such as Linguaphone is very good (particularly the old ones) do find these and not the all-talk versions, as well as Teach Yourself and Living Language.

If you want to learn spoken first (a lot do), go with Pimsleur, or use this along with other courses.. It's good to use a few at the same time..

A note, most newer courses of anything are pretty bad, so find older stuff from the 60s-80s! There are heaps of ways to learn really.. just this is preferred from what i've read

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And just wondering, why learn Russian?

[Spreadbury]

I have a slight obsession with Russia, especially with the revolution and its involvement in world wars 1 and 2, the cold war isn't without its appeal, and I really fancy a visit there. Also, I think russian (well, more russian accents) sound unbelievably awesome.

thanks vexx, I will search up those companies you suggested, and will heed your advice about time.

[vexx]

I have a slight obsession with Russia, especially with the revolution and its involvement in world wars 1 and 2, the cold war isn't without its appeal, and I really fancy a visit there. Also, I think russian (well, more russian accents) sound unbelievably awesome.

thanks vexx, I will search up those companies you suggested, and will heed your advice about time.

No problem just try the different methods and see what works best for you, if you get Assimil i know a good method to use for it, definitely the best IMO!
Well that's good to know you've found interests in it, languages are fun- i too am learning out of interest (not russian though hehe)
goodluck

[Chavi]

I want to try and learn a new language (Russian) and I was wondering if anyone here knows of a good place to try and do just that, preferably outside a university- unless of course i'm mistaken and should attempt it at university. Opinions anyone?

Shto ti gavarish? Ti chochish Parusky uchinitz? Charasho. Nyetoo prablemye,
я тоща чатзел парускы учитз, ну ные далы мны ета учитз вшколиые

Read, read, read. Listen to Russian radio (best site for this IMHO: http://www.101.ru/). Speak with as many people as possible. You have to immerse yourself to really improve.

Is this for VCE? Because I listed my VCE:Lote techniques here: http://vcenotes.com/forum/index.php/topic,23178.msg294962.html#msg294962

Hope that helps mate. Enjoy

[MuggedByReality]

A good resource is http://how-to-learn-any-language.com/e/index.html.  That website covers numerous self study resources, methods/techniques among others.

+1

   there's Rosetta Stone software, which I haven't tried, but looks good

No, whatever you do, do NOT use rosetta stone. It is probably one of the worst language learning programs/methods ever!!!!! Trust me and every language learner out there...

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 Oh, really? Well, Michel Thomas I've tried and he's good for speaking and listening; bit expensive though, see if you can find his CDs in a library.

[Eriny]

CAE course: http://www.cae.edu.au/web/default.aspx?category=166&s_kwcid=TC|10950|learn%20russian||S||5045832440&gclid=CP7H_9ebuKUCFQP1bwod1lwDBQ

Also, if you really want to go to Russia, you could bite the bullet and learn Russian while in Russia: http://russian.language.ru/?gclid=CI_a6P-buKUCFQTUbgodTjSl_g

[vexx]

A good resource is http://how-to-learn-any-language.com/e/index.html.  That website covers numerous self study resources, methods/techniques among others.

+1

   there's Rosetta Stone software, which I haven't tried, but looks good

No, whatever you do, do NOT use rosetta stone. It is probably one of the worst language learning programs/methods ever!!!!! Trust me and every language learner out there...

----

 Oh, really? Well, Michel Thomas I've tried and he's good for speaking and listening; bit expensive though, see if you can find his CDs in a library.

Yeah Rosetta Stone is horrible, it doesn't even teach you anything.. I can't believe it got so popular.

Yes, Michel Thomas is very good to begin your first foreign language particularly since it really breaks it down and makes it easier to begin.. This is true pretty much for the original ones he did moreso than those who followed his method... So the good languages to use for it are (the originals) Italian, French, Spanish and German.

[Spreadbury]

Also, if you really want to go to Russia, you could bite the bullet and learn Russian while in Russia: http://russian.language.ru/?gclid=CI_a6P-buKUCFQTUbgodTjSl_g

I probably won't be able to travel to russia for many years to come , probably in my mid 20's, and I don't fancy waiting too long to start learning.

No it's not for VCE, just personal interest. High school graduate as of friday . Just trying to find a good book or audiobook to start, but as I said, i'm wary of most. Don't find the assessment of them trustable.

also, Chavi, do you know russian?

[Chavi]

Also, if you really want to go to Russia, you could bite the bullet and learn Russian while in Russia: http://russian.language.ru/?gclid=CI_a6P-buKUCFQTUbgodTjSl_g

I probably won't be able to travel to russia for many years to come , probably in my mid 20's, and I don't fancy waiting too long to start learning.

No it's not for VCE, just personal interest. High school graduate as of friday . Just trying to find a good book or audiobook to start, but as I said, i'm wary of most. Don't find the assessment of them trustable.

also, Chavi, do you know russian?

Ye mate. Luckily I was surrounded by a few languages as I grew up, so I acquired Russian from an early age (and had the horrible experience of going to 'Russian school' every Sunday in Grade 4+5). Next year I'm going to focus on becoming 100% fluent, so that I can start writing in Russian as well as a few other languages on my blog.

That said - the way to learn a language is through persistence. Although anyone will tell you that taking Russian-language classes or going to discussion groups is the best thing short of traveling to the country. With audio-books, I would recommend listening to every sentence and then meticulously writing down everything you hear (In Cyrillic of course). This is the quickest way to become fluent.

If you're interested in 'Russian school' - check out this one: http://www.ourcommunity.com.au/directories/listing?id=35937 I went there and it's pretty decent.