How to Speak Russian for Travel
- 1). Make a plan and develop a study schedule. Learning a foreign language takes time and patience. Language is learned incrementally and this requires that it be practiced daily. Studying 1/2 to one hour every day is much more efficient than studying three to four hours on the weekend. Devise ways of making your time more efficient, such as listening to Russian tapes or CDs on you morning and evening commute.
- 2). Search for Russian instructional resources. The Internet has revolutionized language learning. There are a number of resources offered on line that offer Russian language lessons. The Russian Plus website offers 30 free audio-video lessons that will teach you to speak Russian at an intermediate level (see References). Supplement online lessons with instructional books and CDs. These are available at major bookstores.
- 3). Practice vocabulary and basic phrases with flashcards. Keep the flashcards with you and use them as practice tool during the course of the day. A good online source for learning basic phrases, that will be helpful on your trip is Way to Russia (see References). It provides a number of basic phrases such as "good morning," "excuse me," "I don't speak Russian" an so forth. The website also provides the opportunity to hear all the phrases spoken in Russian.
- 4). Watch Russian movies with subtitles. One of the most difficult aspects of learning a language is developing an ear for it. Watching Russian movies with English subtitles is a very helpful way to develop an ear for the Russian language. Rapid Russian Language (see References) offers a variety of Russian DVDs with English subtitles.
- 5). Practice speaking Russian with native speakers. Supplement your private study of Russian by engaging in conservations with native Russian speakers. Set up a weekly meeting where you are able to practice speaking Russian for an hour or two. Place an add at the local college or university to find Russian speakers.
Source...