How I did it: I went to a bilingual school abroad an was in the "russian sector" so I actually learned 2 languages simultaneously.
My mother is also Russian and my grandmother could only speak Russian so I had no choice but to learn it.
Lots and lots of studying-- even being born in Eurasia (not Russia) doesn't make learning Russian easy.
I remember doing HOURS of homework as a child and learning Russian literature at the age of 5/6.
I'm really happy now to speak 3 and a half languages (half being French) it makes me appreciate more cultures and fit in better under various circumstances.

Lessons & tips:

• Kind of insane but knowing the "great works" actually does help put everything in context and make learning more interesting.
  
• Get the grammar straight. Very important. You could really mess up your sentences otherwise-worse than in English.
  
• Speak to a native- just not whilst drinking vodka.
  
• Speak French. If you're fluent in French, picking up Russian will be easier. You'll be very use to the feminine/masculine, certain ways of curling your tongue and even have a small transferrable vocabulary.

Resources: Having Russian relatives. Keeping my skills up is also made easier by having Russian friends.
An interest in Russian History.
The library- get reading. You might enjoy Russian children's books and folk tales. They're easier to read and understand than say----- Tolstoy but still interesting.

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Jun 23, 07:19AM PDT | 0 comments | 1 cheer