This is my biggest dream right now and I’m trying, but im struggling with memorization of the case endings and when to use each case! Tough stuff, but I’m gonna keep trudging along, for Russian is my minor in college after all :)
How to become fluent in Russian
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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I used to speak fairly well (at least be able to get along), but I’m out of practice. I’d like better command of verbs and a better vocabulary, vopshe.
Im trying very hard to become fluent in Russian and am making some progress. I find that complete dedication and daily study works, theres just some barriers I cant seem to get through. In time I suppose.
Russian is a beautiful language, it’s definitely worth taking the time to learn. When you’re done you’ll be super proud to have done it!
I’ve already taken two years of the language, including a four month study abroad semester in Moscow. Unfortunately, I took a year-long leave of absence from the university and forgot a whole lot of stuff. Also, in the area I live, Spanish is just so much more useful, so its starting to take the place of Russian in my mind.
Why don’t you practice Russian by Skype? It’s free!
Learn about skype at www.skype.com and let’s speak Russian and English. My skype name is KVoloshenko and I’m from Russia
My mother is a native of Russia, and my dad has a Ph.D in slovic linguistics. They are both fluent, but never taught me. This means that I haven’t been able to speak to my Russian Babushka, Uncle or Cousin. No one! I am fascinated by the culture. I want to learn more about my heritage and where I’m from. My parents are musicians, and I studied violin for many years with many Russian teachers who’s brains I wish I could have picked in their native language. Not to mention the brilliant musicians, dancers and artists I have met who were Russian. I have tried learning on my own, with my parent’s help, but it is difficult, and my parents don’t seem to want to teach me. My mother left communist Russia behind and says speaking Russian gives her bad memories. I never asked what my dad felt about it, but he used to have a job as a professor of Russian and lost it when the Cold War ended. I am now deciding which language to learn in college and even though I want to learn Russian SO BADLY, there is almost no demand for it. I am torn, because if I study Russian I will be able to study abroad in Russia, and I’ve never before visited (!) But, I HATE cold weather. Hopefully I can learn Russian AND visit AND learn a more useful language.
I’ve been learning Russian for about a year now. I seem to be hitting a wall though. I can’t seem to learn more than I know now. I took a class at university, september term I’m doing intermediate Russian classes equivalent to A level. Grammar is the most important thing. I sat down and memorised literally all the cases/endings for everything. And once you understand that then its like new words seem more familiar cos you recognise how they are formed. That’s my top tip. As for vocabulary I haven’t got a clue!








