About 5 or 6 years in the past, I watched a WW2 documentary on German TV. They interviewed a Russian veteran. I attempted to grasp what he was saying since we spoke Croatian in my household and the 2 languages are very comparable.
However regardless of how onerous I attempted, I couldn’t decipher something over the German dubbing. I don’t know whether or not this documentary was a catalyst of kinds however what I do know is that now, half a decade later, I’m fluent in Russian and perceive each single phrase once I watch interviews.
On this article, I’ll let you know my story of how I went from not understanding any Russian to passing probably the most troublesome examination in Russian and talking it at a local speaker stage.
Right here’s what we’ll cowl:
This isn’t a language nerd article. I do know all of the intricacies of the language. However I don’t need to speak to you about how verbs of movement and case declensions work. You might be significantly better off studying these from a e-book than from a weblog article on the web. Plus, everybody’s expertise is totally different. I can not let you know tips on how to be fluent in Russian. As a substitute, I need to share with you my motivation and my journey studying Russian, in addition to just a few pointers for studying Russian.
Why I wished to be taught Russian
I’ve all the time been very keen on studying languages. I grew up bilingual, my household is from Croatia and we nonetheless converse Croatian at dwelling to this present day. Outdoors dwelling, I spoke German and since this was the language I went to high school in, it grew to become my actual native language. At school, I discovered English, then French after which Italian. English was a language that I’ve all the time cherished. French…not a lot. I’ve forgotten a number of it though I can nonetheless learn French. My Italian is someplace on the intermediate stage. I even took an curiosity in Japanese however by no means made an try at studying it.
So it’s not an enormous shock that Russian caught my curiosity for some cause. It might be as a result of it was so near Croatian however vastly extra helpful. I checked out my first Russian e-book once I wrote this text. I noticed that I even translated from Russian to Croatian though I’ve by no means formally discovered Croatian. For some cause, I felt a pull in direction of Russian and an identification with the language. You’ll assume I discovered it for the ladies however I truthfully didn’t. Again in uni, I used to be truly extra into Latinas and Spanish women. Solely later I spotted that a number of Spanish women are ugly and Russians are so, so significantly better. Good factor that by then I already spoke it fairly effectively hehe.
How I began studying Russian
In my second 12 months of uni, I took the choice to enroll in Russian courses. To be honest, I don’t keep in mind a lot about them. I keep in mind we had an previous woman as a instructor. Apparently Russian outdoors of Russia is all the time taught by aged girls). I additionally keep in mind studying some fundamentals: the Cyrillic alphabet, fundamental sentences, tips on how to write in Russian. It didn’t differ loads from different languages that I had discovered.
In case you’re questioning in regards to the alphabet: it’s simple to be taught and also you’ll have it down after just a few days max. Cursive writing is a little more troublesome. I nonetheless recall that it bothered me loads that we needed to be taught it. It simply appeared so pointless and it required a little bit of apply. I refused to do it at first and wrote solely in block letters. Nonetheless, the aged Russian woman educating us was having none of that. In the present day I can say that studying to write down in Russian is a precious ability. For those who plan to spend time in Russia, you must know tips on how to write cursive and, much more importantly, tips on how to learn it (which is a ache within the ass, belief me). If not, then it’s not that necessary. Regardless, writing is a ability that helps along with your studying progress even for those who don’t want it every day.
My first Russian e-book
How I grew to become fluent in Russian
I discovered Russian for one semester earlier than I needed to cease. The next time period I went on an change 12 months and sadly they didn’t supply Russian in Eire. After returning to Germany, I didn’t return to uni as a result of I had solely an internship and my thesis left. Therefore, my Russian was nonetheless dormant. Then I enrolled in this system that may change the path of my life profoundly.
A very powerful cause for enrolling in that double diploma program was the chance to go to Moscow the next 12 months. I knew I didn’t need to keep in Germany. Being overseas had been an excessive amount of enjoyable. And the prospect of studying to talk fluent Russian appealed loads to me.
In London, I had 5 hours of courses per week. Our instructor was once more an aged woman however was very competent and left an enduring impression with me. The courses weren’t a ton of enjoyable however they have been helpful. We frequently learn out aloud and did workouts collectively. I additionally do not forget that a lot of the category was in English, which actually bothered me. We began from the very fundamentals. Due to that, I had an enormous headstart on the others with my years of language-learning expertise on the whole and with Russian particularly. The category went very quick although and I couldn’t relaxation on my laurels for too lengthy. Total, I for positive may have discovered it even sooner if the courses had been solely in Russian.
There, I picked up the mantra “you be taught a language by means of imitation.” Probably the most easy and pure strategy to be taught is to imitate what you hear and browse: accents, speech patterns, intonations, phrases, figures of speech and every part else you possibly can think about. I used to be prime of the category as a result of I used to be very motivated: doing additional work from home, attempting to be taught vocabulary, watching movies that I solely half understood and doing extra workouts. I picked up working with flashcards once more and have caught with that technique ever since.
All in all, I did rather more than 5 hours at school. It was in all probability nearer to ten hours per week for 9 months. Most of all, I labored on my pronunciation as a result of it was necessary for me to not sound like a totally retarded foreigner. My English has a reasonably impartial accent and that’s what I wished to have in Russian as effectively. Right here, once more, talking Croatian helped. Many sounds are comparable or the identical though phrase stress is usually totally different in Russian.
By the tip of that interval, I used to be considerably conversational, round B1 stage. I nonetheless keep in mind boarding the aircraft to Moscow for the primary time. I couldn’t perceive a few of the safety bulletins however I understood the stewardesses and managed to order some rooster. I arrived in Moscow and went to my dorm. Fortunately, I had a buddy that met me as a result of I didn’t perceive all of what the babushka answerable for registering new visitors wished from me.
My Russin e-book in London
In Moscow, I once more had 4 hours of Russian per week. Fortunately the courses have been all in Russian and my stage improved considerably all through these 9 months. The everlasting publicity to Russian, in fact, helped loads. I went on a ton of dates and all the time spoke Russian, by no means switching to English. In a short time my Russian was anyway higher than most ladies’ English. Listening to a chick attempting to place collectively just a few sentences in damaged English truly grates my ears. I’d moderately converse Russian. My life and social circles have been additionally centered round talking as a lot Russian as doable. Positive, my mates have been largely foreigners however I attempted to hunt out as many Russian audio system as doable.
On the intermediate stage, we already did actual work on the language. A lot of it revolved round studying verbs of movement, verbs with prefixes, expressing feelings and constructing vocabulary. By the tip of the 9 months of learning it in college and the 12 months total in Moscow, I used to be absolutely fluent. I wished extra, nonetheless, there was an issue…
My Russian e-book in Moscow
My different Russian e-book in Moscow
How onerous is it to be taught Russian?
In fall 2015, I left Moscow. My stage was already higher than what 95% of foreigners will ever attain however I nonetheless wished extra. Some issues about Russian I had already found out. Others I knew however was nonetheless making errors. Nonetheless different components of the language eluded me and I’ve not mastered them to this present day. Right here’s how onerous it was to be taught Russian for me.
Straightforward to be taught
Alphabet
The Cyrillic alphabet wasn’t onerous in any respect, it took me just a few days at finest. It’s as easy as the usual Latin alphabet and you may be taught it even for those who don’t converse the language.
Fundamental vocabulary
As a result of I spoke Croatian, I had an enormous headstart. The essential vocabulary was simple for me as a result of many phrases are very comparable, if not fairly the identical. A Croatian djevojka is a Russian devushka, a Croatian krava is a Russian korova and so forth. There have been many variations too, however talking a Slavic language is an enormous, massive benefit.
Pronunciation
Announcing Russian all the time got here naturally to me for a similar cause. The overwhelming majority of English native audio system may have issues with this. I’ve met solely a particular few that managed to strip themselves of their distinct accents.
Phrase order
Phrase order is vastly much less necessary in Russian than in German or English. That is one thing that most individuals will discover “simple” in regards to the language. I knew in a short time tips on how to manipulate phrase order in sentences, which helped me loads later when it was about utilizing totally different sentence constructions to convey a special message.
Arduous to be taught
Verbs of movement
Not going to lie, verbs of movement weren’t simple. In English, you all the time “go” someplace however in Russian, you possibly can go by bike or automotive or go on foot and it’s all the time a special verb. That in itself isn’t the worst if it wasn’t for…
Features
Russian makes use of points to convey whether or not one thing is in progress or occurs many occasions or whether or not it’s a one-time motion. Croatian has the identical however I by no means discovered the language correctly, having it picked up solely from talking in my childhood. That helped me considerably however getting points proper nonetheless took me fairly a very long time though it may be mastered.
Instances
I grew up with German and Croatian and each languages use circumstances so this wasn’t new to me. It nonetheless wasn’t simple to get it proper on a regular basis and to be taught the numerous totally different endings. Particularly within the warmth of the second once you need to get a degree throughout, endings can exit of the window. Sure verbs set off sure circumstances and in advanced sentence constructions that may result in a complete array of phrases with totally different endings. Instances are usually not that troublesome to be taught and keep in mind however very troublesome to use accurately 100% of the time.
Very onerous to be taught
Phrase stress
One thing that retains tripping me as much as this very day is phrase stress. Russian makes use of a seemingly arbitrary system of stressing phrases. That is made even worse by the truth that the stress may bounce relying on the case. So the phrase “window” within the singular is harassed otherwise from “home windows”. Don’t even attempt to perceive how or why since you gained’t be capable to. You principally need to all the time know tips on how to stress a sure phrase. That’s why newbie books all the time point out the place the phrase is harassed however the issue by no means goes away.
Prefixes
Prefixes are a severe ache within the ass. The great factor is {that a} phrase like “make” is the foundation of many various phrases. The issue is that every one these phrases have totally different prefixes (as much as a dozen). Typically you even stack them on prime of one another. In idea, all of them have a typical which means. For instance, the prefix “do-” means “till the tip”, as in “studying a e-book till the tip”. It’s hardly ever as easy although. Mix this with the devilish side system and you’re looking at a listing of 25 verbs stemming from the foundation “to make”. It took me a long-ass time to get this proper and I’m nonetheless not excellent.
Having a broad vocabulary
Languages like Spanish or English have easy sentence constructions. For those who evaluate a paragraph of textual content in Spanish or English with Russian, you’ll discover that in Russian the sentences are for much longer. The identical goes for vocabulary. After all, you possibly can categorical your self in a complicated means in English. However there’s a cause why the President of america can get elected whereas talking English on the stage of a fourth-grader. That may not occur in Russia, just because Russian is a way more nuanced and subsequently harder language to be taught. Previous the upper-intermediate stage, it turns into very onerous to be taught and retain new phrases as a result of they can be utilized solely in a really slender context.
I’m positive you would say this of languages like German too, however Russian is notorious for this. I don’t know whether or not it’s true, however I heard that Pushkin used greater than 10,000 totally different phrases in one among his novels. On condition that an individual must know 5,000 phrases to be thought of proficient in a language, you possibly can think about how his prose sounded.
Who and what helped me to be taught Russian
Given all these difficulties, some issues helped me with studying Russian. I’ve an additional part about suggestions. These are issues that helped ME however they won’t give you the results you want. The ideas are universally relevant.
I discovered an individual that corrects you and actively lets you be probably the most useful factor. I form of employed my girlfriend as a part-time Russian instructor. She needed to appropriate all my written examination preparation, grammar exams, clarify to me phrases or collocations that I didn’t know. Working with books and monolingual dictionaries is the way in which to go. However nothing beats having the ability to ask an actual individual for assist. After all, this individual must have an excellent grasp of the language themselves. If they’ll’t clarify you the rationale why you talk one thing in that exact means that doesn’t assist.
I additionally went by means of books and workouts a number of occasions to revisit ideas that I “form of” understood however not utterly. For instance, I went by means of these two books twice:
By means of different books, which I used for examination preparations, I even went 3 times. Doing the identical workouts time and again helped me a ton with accuracy.
I additionally work very effectively with studying by means of enter. After I was learning, I learn a number of newspapers in Russian. I used to be all the time selecting up on little linguistic intricacies in conversations and textual content messages. I paid as a lot consideration as doable to how individuals pronounced sure phrases and the intonation of the language. Then I attempted to mimic as a lot of that as I may.
How I achieved proficieny in Russian and handed the C2 examination
So how did I make the ultimate step from fluency to proficiency? I’ve had no extra formal courses after I left college, which means I did the remainder of the work alone and and not using a instructor.
I continued learning Russian after I had completed uni as a result of I wished perfection. I do know I wouldn’t be capable to converse Russian in addition to English however I wished to return as near that as I may. My publicity consisted of conversations with native audio system (learn: women). I attempted studying just a few books in Russian however nothing caught with me. I had on and off plans to move both the C1 or C2 examination and books to arrange for these. Typically I studied and typically I didn’t, relying on my motivation. This was an actual downside as a result of there was no actual cause to proceed learning Russian. I already was fluent, whether or not I understood 10% extra didn’t make an enormous distinction.
Finally, I returned to Moscow and continued in the identical vogue. Typically I’d use flashcards however then drop them once more. I learn by means of all the “Homo Sapiens” e-book in Russian, which took me just a few months. The intermediate plateau was an actual factor.
Ultimately, two issues pushed me over the sting. First, I set an actual deadline to move the examination. I mentioned I’d do it till the tip of 2019, come hell or excessive water. Second, I began taking part extra in Russian-speaking occasions. I went to workshops in Russian, I held speeches in Russian, learn biographies in Russian and had extra intimate conversations that required a wider vary of vocabulary. To arrange for the examination, I discovered Russian figures of speech, watched vlogs and documentaries that I favored. Briefly: I actually immersed myself in native content material. I lived in Russian.
Regardless of having little materials obtainable to arrange for the examination, I ready for it fairly severely for just a few weeks. It turned out to be far more chaotic and simpler than I anticipated however I handed.
My examination outcomes
What subsequent? The “onerous studying” half is over for me. I’m not going to sit down down with books anymore as a result of I do know greater than sufficient Russian. I exploit the language every day and I nonetheless jot down the occasional fascinating phrase however that’s it. I don’t know whether or not it was truly price investing a lot time into studying the language to such a excessive diploma. It’s a minimum of a particular characteristic and one thing that only a few individuals have achieved.
My suggestions for studying Russian
Since I’m competent with languages, individuals typically ask me about suggestions and supplies for studying Russian. There are just a few pointers that I can provide that apply to any language. Listed here are my tricks to be taught Russian successfully:
Observe your pronunciation by studying out aloud
Earlier than you even begin talking, you will need to pronounce the phrases. these humorous clips or motion pictures the place individuals with a thick German, Russian or Spanish accent converse Englis´h? Positive, you perceive them however do they sound nice to you? To not me. I’m far more impressed by an individual that speaks a language with a impartial accent and good pronunciation. There’s nothing spectacular about having the ability to say 10 phrases in Russian with a heavy American accent.
One of the best ways to apply that is by studying out aloud. You want a textual content with an audio model which you can repeat after. Dialogues are even higher. Pay attention, learn alongside and repeat. Attempt to mimic what you hear as carefully as you possibly can. That’s the entire secret. Individuals with language studying expertise or which have a way of music may have no issues with this. For those who can’t hear sure sounds, you gained’t be capable to pronounce them. Right here, solely a instructor shall be in a position that will help you. Generally, good pronunciation is underrated and makes an enormous distinction between sounding respectable and like a idiot.
Decide one useful resource and don’t deviate
Everybody desires the right e-book however there is no such thing as a such factor. Fact be advised, it doesn’t matter what you utilize.
Decide one to 2 assets and keep on with them slavishly.
I like to make use of a e-book and a useful resource for listening, a podcast or one thing of the kinds. For Russian, we used “Colloquial Russian.” I don’t know whether or not there are higher books on the market nevertheless it’s ok and it acquired me outcomes so I like to recommend it. No matter you decide, data overload is actual, Persist with as few assets as you possibly can.
Consistency wins
I’m beating a lifeless horse however consistency, as all the time in life, is king, For those who do 15 minutes every single day, you’re going to get higher outcomes than doing 3 hours as soon as per week. Compounding returns are your finest weapon in language studying. If you wish to make actual progress quick, it’s essential examine an hour a day 5 occasions per week. Any lower than that gained’t get you far, that’s the fact.
Stability accuracy and fluency
There’s an previous debate whether or not an individual ought to first be taught to talk after which appropriate the errors or attempt to converse as precisely as doable from the beginning. The reality is: it relies upon. You’ll want to strike a steadiness between the 2. Attempt to be as correct as doable however don’t sacrifice an excessive amount of fluency for that. The principle objective is communication. You’ll want to get your level throughout. Personally, I don’t prioritize one over the opposite, I all the time attempt to be taught and keep in mind as many appropriate constructions as doable. It’s a wonderful line particularly in the case of circumstances. Do what works finest for you.
Set a objective with a hard and fast deadline
You don’t have to enroll in an examination however you want a transparent objective. For instance “talking half-hour with out massive interruptions inside 3 months”. That’s a transparent and outlined objective, You additionally have to be held accountable, in any other case, the satan of procrastination will take over. This isn’t groundbreaking recommendation nevertheless it’s recommendation that works.
Use Russian content material previous the intermediate stage
If you wish to recover from B1, which is unlikely since most individuals don’t want it, it’s essential use Russian content material and Russian books. All books revealed by Zlatoust are glorious and really helpful. A few of them are previous and dry and lower than trendy requirements however there’s no different and no different means of studying it with out them. Don’t imagine anybody that tells you “individuals decide up languages”. That’s horseshit. Your mind isn’t a sponge. You want spaced repetition and the extra you examine systematically, the faster you’ll be taught one thing.
Neglect turning into proficient with out being within the nation
After I handed the CPE (C2 examination in English), I did the talking half with a Russian man that was terribly nervous and couldn’t put collectively two sentences. It turned out that he had by no means been to an English-speaking nation. I didn’t have to arrange for the examination as a result of I had lived and studied in English-speaking international locations. I already had had large publicity to English. You can not attain native-level proficiency with out dwelling within the nation. Firstly as a result of the maths doesn’t try. You can not simulate having that a lot publicity to a language like when you find yourself within the atmosphere. Secondly, as a result of many belongings you solely be taught by means of talking and listening to them from native audio system. C1 in an examination and C1, in actuality, are two very various things.
Use a e-book
I mentioned the useful resource doesn’t matter so long as you keep it up. However I’d nonetheless use a e-book over video content material or apps. You’ll be able to complement the previous with the latter however books are a) compiled by specialists and b) checked by them. In all of the languages I discovered, I’ve by no means labored and not using a e-book It’s onerous to grasp grammar ideas and not using a e-book and your grownup mind is raring for explanations, that are solely offered by books. Use them.
Strategies don’t matter
Some individuals choose output-based strategies and converse as a lot as doable, utilizing trial and error. Others use translations. I like to make use of a number of enter and imitate what I learn and listen to. The reality is that it’s essential discover what works effectively for you after which, once more, keep it up. Spreading your self too skinny can be an actual factor. Nonetheless, you will need to be taught and apply all expertise even for those who prioritize some over others. You may not write loads in actual life however studying some writing is useful for you since you apply totally different expertise. You’ll be able to take your time, decide the fitting phrases and converse in a special tone.
One of many Russian books for examination preparation.
How lengthy did it take me to be taught Russian?
To cap this off, I need to reply one other well-liked query:
“How lengthy does it take to be taught Russian?”
The boring however true reply is: it relies upon. It depends upon your native language, in your expertise with languages, in your expertise and your will to place within the work. There’s the usual “1100 hours” reply as per some American overseas language institute. Which may be true for you or not, nobody is aware of. Right here’s how lengthy it took me:
To be taught the alphabet
1 day.
I can’t keep in mind precisely nevertheless it was not quite a lot of days. The alphabet is far simpler to be taught than you’d assume.
To change into conversational
A couple of 12 months. By conversational, I imply having the ability to converse and get round. For some others, my stage at that stage would have already got been very excessive since I used to be in a position to have full conversations however didn’t perceive every part.
To change into fluent
About two years. By fluent, I imply getting round effortlessly and understanding nearly every part whereas not struggling any main breakdowns in communication. That’s what they name B2-C1 stage when you realize the language effectively sufficient to be utterly unbiased.
To change into proficient
About three years. By proficient I imply understanding 95%+ and having the ability to course of even troublesome written and spoken communication in numerous contexts. “Native stage” sounds good however I discovered that particularly in a troublesome language like Russian, it’s onerous to achieve the language of a real native speaker. In English, you may get there 95% however in Russian, it will likely be a bit lower than that. Eliminating your accent, getting all endings proper and by no means reaching for phrases is nearly inconceivable.
All that mentioned, I’m not the standard case as a result of I already knew a number of languages, converse a Slavic language and have a knack for languages on the whole. If I needed to guess, I’d say it’ll take you twice as lengthy for those who wouldn’t have all these benefits.
Enjoyable with Russian
Do you have to be taught Russian?
Final however not least, let’s discuss motivation.
I can not let you know why you must be taught Russian. You shouldn’t be taught any language if it’s essential discover a cause to do it. Which means your motivation isn’t there from the beginning and that spells hassle. I may let you know three advantages that I gained from understanding Russian.
The ladies
If that isn’t apparent, I don’t know what’s. After all, you need to be taught it for the chicks. Sure, you may get girls with out understanding Russian however the respect you acquire from talking it and the larger pool of targets makes greater than up for the hassle. Some individuals come to Moscow just for the nightlife and the ladies.
Respect
Talking a troublesome language is a standing booster. On prime of that, Russian sounds spectacular to somebody that doesn’t converse it. Go sit in a diner in Kansas and begin talking Russian, you might be positive to get a ton of head turns.
Enterprise
Not an authentic argument however in case you are in pure assets, an arms supplier or within the overseas coverage/worldwide relations sphere, Russian may have severe advantages. It does additionally offer you entry to the Caucasus international locations, in addition to Ukraine and Central Asia. If you don’t ever plan on going there for an intensive period of time, then don’t hassle. For those who do, it’s price it 100%.
Take a look at my different web site for extra enter about studying languages: http://www.stylishlinguist.com
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