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Browse: Home / People and Language

How long does it usually take to learn Russian?

Question by Bb: How long does it take to learn Russian?
I’m spending the next 6 months in St. Petersburg for my study abroad program (so excited) and was wondering if anyone who speaks Russian can tell me if I really apply myself if Ill become fluent. I’m studying Russian literature and was also wondering if Tolstoy, Doestoevsky, etc are a good way to learn (I hear they’re much more beautiful in Russian). Thanks for any help!

Answers and Views:

Answer by Iza
I don’t speak Russian, but my BF learned it in about two years of college classes and a semester in the Ukraine. He says it would have been sooner if he went to the Ukraine first, so it will probably take less for you. Learning by being immersed is the best way to learn. He took a Russian Lit class but says it was overwhelming because of the “denseness” of the works themselves. learn basics first, when you’re fluent read the Russian classics to become even better.

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Comments ( 4 )

  1. Olga says

    It can take a few years or forever depending on your expectations and background. I’d not recommend that you base your Russian studies on the 19th-century literature considering that the language is very old-fashioned and will hardly contribute to your daily Russian skills. I’d say that colloquial Russian from forums or blogs will do a lot better for you. I know that people from other countries might get excited by the literature about nobility but to read and understand it in the original language you first need to have fluent Russian since the language of the books is no easy for beginners and quite obsolete for a major part.
    Language learning is a life-time process. From my experience with English learning, a major part of your language proficiency depends on how you see it, or even on your level of self-esteem and confidence. If you don’t care speaking a broken language and don’t feel sorry for making mistakes than it might take several months for you to achieve a level at which you’ll be able to pass by. If you’re a perfectionist or a self-critical person even having a post-proficiency level of a language you’ll still feel scared to utter words at the thought of making a slight error.

    Reply
  2. Daisy says

    Congratulations on your upcoming visit to St. Petersburg. It is my native city and is certainly one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I teach Russian online via webcam and it usually takes my students about 2 years to become fluent. However, it greatly depends on how much time one spends studying, their memory, access to native Russian speakers, etc. Immersing yourself into Russian life and culture is certainly the best way to learn the language, but do not jump to reading Tolstoy, Dostoevskiy, etc. Their language and sentence structure is extremely complex and not always up to date. There is a reason why Russian students study them in High school, and not earlier. You did not start reading with high school program in English, did you? So study the basics first and reading short stories is always a great practice! Best of luck studying Russian and enjoy your trip. If you have facebook, join my page and I would love to hear about your experiences in Russia: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Learn-Russian/17894… Besides, you can already learn some basics from my videos.

    Reply
  3. Hiccup says

    I have known russian since I could talk and taught myself english in kindergarten and my first few years of schooling but I would say about 2-4 years, maybe more to be fluent

    Reply
  4. zirp says

    According to the "Foreign Service Institute" it takes 1100 hours or 44 weeks of work.

    I don't think famous literature is recommendable for people who just start learning any language – unless maybe, very maybe, the writer in question is famous for his/her simple language.

    You'd prbably be better off reading some children's books first

    Reply

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