Question by studentts2: Becoming Fluent in Russian Alone – After some schooling?
Hi,
I’ve been taking Russian in college for a year and a half, and have satisfactorily learned the russian grammar. I know the cases, the tenses, the aspects, etc. However, I do not have a huge vocabulary or perfect grasp of idiomatic speech.
Because of scheduling conflicts, I will not be able to take Russian next semester, but would like to progress to fluency in the language independently. I am not overly concerned with learning how to speak Russian aloud perfectly. I am more interested in being able to effectively and intelligently read Russian literature of the highest caliber – i.e Tolstoy, Bulgakov, Dostoevsky, etc.
Is there anyway I can reach this level alone beginning with a somewhat intermediate foundation?
Answers and Views:
Answer by けいとりん Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
They have lots of self-teaching options in bookstores/libraries ad online.
Try www.livemocha.com for lessons (you can pick a level to start) and to converse with native speakers.
Read all the answers in the comments.
What do you think?
zirp says
I don’t know russian myself but sure. You should read books of the right level. No too easy , not too difficult. You should also watch TV/movies, preferably with decent subtitles. Just make sure it’s material that you find interesting or funny so you won’t get bored. Listening to the (shortwave) radio can help as well
Kattleen says
Attend Free Russian Language School!
http://onlinerussianlanguageschool.blogspot.com – free lessons from the native teacher!
If you want to learn some everyday dialogues, go to http://onlinerussianlanguageschool.blogspot.com/p/dialogues.html
If you´re on FB, join the Learn Russian For Free and learn Russian slang terms, culture, cuisine, idioms and much more for free!
http://www.facebook.com/LearnRussianForFree
VB says
To answer your question: absolutely yes. I know many people who have taught themselves languages.
The most important thing to remember when teaching yourself languages is to spend more time LISTENING and READING. Just by listening and reading alone, for at least one hour on a daily basis, you will be able to get to the advanced level.
Another important thing to remember is that you have to UNDERSTAND what you are listening to and reading. Just listening will help, but understanding will help you with the actual learning.
A few things to recommend:
1. Since you like reading so much, why not to start by buying Tolstoy (some short stories or a short novel, nothing huge) in both languages while listening on tape as well. So as you read it, you can listen to a Russian speaker saying it and also see the English translation so you can figure out the words.
2. I recommend lingq.com. It is not the best, but it will do in terms of listening and reading.
3. Try to watch Russian movies with English subtitles. They are available on youtube from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oI_yQQAJzQ or http://www.youtube.com/user/mosfilm
Press cc to see the subs.
4. Speaking is the very last skill that you might want to practice. You can practice speaking by finding a buddy on http://www.mylanguageexchange.com/
5. Here is the company that provides quality leveled readers:http://www.zlat.spb.ru/catalog5_4_108.html
(the website is in Russian, but Google can translate the website for you).
Good luck and remember – you can do it! 🙂