Get Started in Russian PDF DOWNLOAD

Get Started in Russian PDF download

Get started in Russian is the course to use if you are a complete beginner or have just a smattering of Russian. It is a self-study course, and will help you to speak, understand and read the language sufficiently for you to visit Russia or receive Russian visitors at home.

The course works best with the accompanying recording, but it is not essential. The recorded dialogues and exercises will give you practice in understanding the language and in pronouncing it correctly, and will give you confidence to speak out loud.
Each unit contains at least one activity which requires the recording, but the material will always be covered by other activities as well.
If you don’t have the recording, use the Pronunciation guide to help you pronounce the words correctly.
Always read the words and dialogues out loud in a strong, clear voice.

How the units work

In Units 1–2 you will learn to read the Russian alphabet, and in Units 3–10 you will learn the basic structures of the language
which you will need in different situations.

In Unit 11 you will learn to read the handwritten Russian script and to write it if you choose, and in Units 12–20 you will learn how to cope with practical situations in more detail.

Within each unit you will find:

A list of things you can expect to learn.
Insight boxes with tips to help you with your learning or basic background information on Russian customs and way of life relevant to the unit. You should bear in mind that in recent times there have been many changes in Russian life and even in the language as it absorbs many new international words. You may therefore find if you visit Russia that details of everyday life have changed. This is particularly likely to be true with matters relating to the economic state of the country.
Key words and phrases which will be used in the unit. Try to learn them by heart as they will help you with the rest of the unit and will often appear again later in the book. In Units 3–10, while you are getting used to the Russian alphabet, each word will have its pronunciation in English letters next to it. Try not to become dependent on this, but just use it to check any sounds you are not sure of.
If you have the recording, listen to the dialogue ДиалOr once or twice to try and get the gist of it. Then use the pause button to break it up into phrases and repeat each phrase out loud to develop your accent. If you only have the book, read the dialogue through several times before you look up the words and say the phrases out loud. As you become more confident, you could cover up part of the dialogue and try to remember what to say.
All languages work by following certain patterns, and the Mechanics of the language section shows you examples of the mechanics of constructing Russian. Once you have become used to the patterns you can make up sentences yourself by changing words or their endings.
The exercises allow you to practise the language which you have just learned in the Mechanics of the language section. For some of the exercises you need the recording. It is important to do the exercises and to check your answers in the back of the book so that you are sure you understand the language in one unit before moving on.
In the later units you may find a short Russian anecdote or joke.
At the end of each unit (except for Unit 11) you will find short revision sections entitled Test yourself, intended to allow you to decide if you’re ready to move on to the next unit.

Get Started in Russian

Get Started in Russian PDF

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