Wanting to learn how to speak and understand Russian?

[Le Socialiste]

Anyone have any recommendations as to where I should start? Classes aren't really an option for me, so my best bet would be using the resources that are available (computer, books, dvds, etc). Any specific course-type materials I should check out? Any advice for where I should look (or specific titles) would be much appreciated.

[manic expression]

Ты хочешь учиться Русский? Ладно)))))

First, learning the alphabet. This (http://www.ukindia.com/zip/zru1.htm) is a useful page to go through, it's how I learned initially. And even just starting out, I recommend heading over to the Russian section of Marxists.org (http://marxists.org/russkij/index.htm) and reading over random documents...you won't understand them but sounding out the words is good practice and you can get your speed up.

Try this out (http://www.freelanguagecourses.com/language/russian/princeton-russian-course-51/)...it's a textbook available online...make sure to get in touch with the author before you download it (he'll be fine with it).

Check out Master Russian (http://masterrussian.com/), it's a good reference resource to help you along the way. The daily Russian word is an easy way to get vocabulary, too. This site (http://www.russianlessons.net/) also looks worthwhile. As far as getting the right pronunciation (very important...if you don't get the accents right it'll be difficult to communicate), check out online videos like this one (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wnp1Am2cTsQ). Good luck!

[Le Socialiste]

Thanks for the references, I'll definitely be needing them. :)

[Rooster]

The hardest part is trying to learn the alphabet and what it sounds like. Once you get the hang of that then it's remarkable at how many words are similar to English. I have an old Penguin book that's quite good for a quick introduction.

The BBC's language page is also pretty good for some information. They also usually have links to other sites for you to have a look at:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/russian/

Also, it won't hurt just checking youtube for video lessons.

[Nox]

The grammar in Russian is very simple, so it really shouldn't take long to learn.

I would reccommend using Rosetta Stone, it may be an absolute rip-off but it's a very easy and quick way to learn a new language :)

You'll also come across some very difficult letters that have no Latin equivalent, e.g. ы

[manic expression]

The grammar in Russian is very simple, so it really shouldn't take long to learn.
ЧТО? Не может быт! You have three genders...you have the nominative, accusative, genitive, dative, prepositional, instrumental cases...you have to learn declension...and then within those you have to learn the difference between things with souls and things without souls...

Это такой трудный! (and I probably didn't get that right... :blushing:)

But in a way, Чёрные Глаза is right because if you love the language the grammar won't be a chore. Just have fun with it!

[Olentzero]

Back when I was just getting into the language myself and self-instructing, I came across the Penguin New Russian Course for Beginners (http://www.amazon.com/New-Penguin-Russian-Course-Beginners/dp/0140120416). In my opinion it was one of the best self-study courses I'd come across (and I'm normally a big Teach Yourself fan). Plenty of exercises and the explanations are simple and clear. Of course this was back in the days before there really was an Internet and the Soviet Union still existed, so I ended up being more able to read and write than speak and understand, but these days you obviously have more opportunities for conversation and such, like right here on RevLeft. Combining that with the Penguin course (and a good dictionary - if you're in the US, either Ken Katzner's dictionary or one of the Oxford pocket editions will do nicely) should put you on the right track in a matter of months. Just take it one bit at a time!

Удачи тебе!

[The Dark Side of the Moon]

Would anyone suggest learning this after I finish french? Or should I do it side by side?

[Olentzero]

One at a time, Spartan.

[Pioneers_Violin]

Спасибо :)

I am also learning Russian. Thanks for the links and advice.

Does anyone else here have a Яндекс (http://www.yandex.ru/) (Yandex) account?
It's like Google but entirely in Russian.
Using an all-Russian site like Yandex is a fun way to pick up bits and pieces between studies.
RevLefters need to be aware that no propagandizing is allowed on Yandex.
I'm addicted to Яндекс фото (http://fotki.yandex.ru/) :blushing:

Всего хорошего,
С.П.