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Getting Started with Learning Russian

Mar 2, 2025,

Russian Language Course - Lecture Notes

Introduction

  • Presenter: Daria
  • Goal: Learn Russian from scratch
  • Importance of having a clear goal and motivation for learning the language

Key Points for Learning Russian

1. Set a Clear Goal

  • Why learn Russian?
    • For exams: Focus on grammar, vocabulary, and reading
    • For travel: Learn basic reading and speaking patterns
    • For communication: Focus on listening, speaking, and vocabulary, less on grammar
  • Write down your goal

2. Dedicate Time

  • Importance of dedicating time and effort
  • No fixed time for fluency; depends on various factors like native language, memory, schedule
  • Suggested minimum: 100 hours

3. Tools for Learning

  • Notebook & Pen: Essential for active learning
  • Writing helps with memory retention

Beginning with Russian Language

Introduction to Basic Russian

  • Greeting: 袩褉懈胁械褌 (Hi)
  • Interactive learning encouraged; repeat words out loud

The Russian Alphabet

  • Cyrillic Alphabet: 33 letters
    • Some letters unfamiliar to those used to the Latin alphabet
    • Once learned, enables reading of any Russian word

Bad News

  • 33 letters might be intimidating

Good News

  • Consistent phonetic pronunciation

Learning Strategy

Writing and Speaking

  • Practice writing with a notebook or piece of paper
  • Use associations for letter sounds (e.g., 小 as snake)

Alphabet Groups

  • Familiar Latin-like letters: 袗, 袣, 袦, 袨, 孝
  • Confusing letters: V, E, N, R, S, U, H
  • Unique Cyrillic letters: 袘, 袚, 袛, 袠, 袟, 袡, 袥, 袩, 肖, 协, 挟, 携

Practice Words

  • Use simple words to practice
    • 袦邪屑邪 (Mama)
    • 袩邪锌邪 (Papa)
    • 袛邪 (Yes), 袧械褌 (No)
    • 袦芯褋泻胁邪 (Moscow), 袥芯薪写芯薪 (London)
    • 袩懈褑褑邪 (Pizza), 袘褍褉谐械褉 (Burger)

Basic Grammar

Using "协褌芯" (This is)

  • Construction: 协褌芯 + Noun (e.g., 协褌芯 芯泻薪芯 - This is a window)
  • Applies universally without gender or object distinction

Homework

  • Practice saying "This is..." with objects around you
  • Use Google Translate for pronunciation and practice writing in Cyrillic

Conclusion

  • Dedicate a week to learning the Cyrillic alphabet
  • Practice speaking out loud and writing
  • Next lessons will be shorter

This summary captures the key aspects of learning Russian as introduced in the lecture. Use these notes to guide your study and practice sessions.