Russian is the most widespread Slavic language in the world and the 6th most spoken language by the total number of speakers. Therefore, many people are trying to learn Russian for work and career perspectives, someone need it for educational purposes, others want to explore Russian culture.
In this article you can find 8 tips for success in learning Russian:
1. Keep in mind
Place small stickers with russian language translations on all the objects around you: furniture, household appliances and crockery. Use these small labels everywhere you spend a lot of time: at home, at work, in your car. This approach will help you to keep new words in mind and to settle them into your memory.
2. Make notes
Don’t always rely on your memory. When you are traveling and everything seems new, you are advised to keep a notebook and cell phone close to hand. This will allow you to make interesting notes quickly and conveniently. Analyze your meetings with people, learn and try to write down new phrases and expressions. Look through your notes at the end of every day and you will definitely find something to remember.
3. Stay in touch
Learn and practice Russian language in Social Media where you can develop your communicational skills and find helpful suggestions. Social Media is another tool to connect with the native speakers and to get a daily dose of new Russian words scrolling news feed. Subscribe to bloggers and channels that are interesting for you. Keep in mind that a content should be fascinating and comprehensible for you.
4. Learn Russian and have fun
Films and music are much more than just a great entertainment. Watching movies and listening songs in Russian gives you an opportunity to improve your vocabulary, to listen to the language in natural life situations and to understand Russian communicative behaviors. So, learning Russian doesn’t have to be boring!
5. Read in Russian
Reading is a fundamental part of learning Russian language. If you don’t read books anymore, get back to reading. Get hold of things you like and read about them. Get in habit to read at least 20-30 minutes a day without any distractions. When you start to read a book in silence, the time slows down. This habit will help you to improve writing skills, to understand the context and to locate the main idea.
6. Never decline invitations
Sometimes Russian people may seem unfriendly and cold. As most of the Northern nations, they only look like that as long as you’re not invited to their home. If you are invited to a party or just for tea, you can be sure that you’ll be offered the best food and snacks. You’ll have an opportunity to enjoy a warm atmosphere of Russian hospitality and to participate in relaxed communication. This tip will help you to improve your spoken language, make friends and to immerse yourself in Russian culture.
7. Find a new hobby that you’ll love
Do you like cooking? Discover traditional Russian recipes or ask your Russian friends how to cook one of the traditional dishes. Interested in music? Learn few traditional Russian songs or some popular songs in Russian. Take a deep dive into Russian culture. This will allow you to understand Russian mindset and make you an interesting person to talk to. Using this tip will let you get along with Russian people and you will gain a great speaking experience.
8. Visit Russia
Full immersion in Russian language is the best way to learn to speak as only a native can. Being immersed in Russian language will make you constantly hear the language, speak the language, read the language which will lead you to unbelievable progress in learning Russian. If you going to visit Russia and to learn to speak some Russian, don’t book a hotel but stay with a host family, where Russian is the major language of communication. This option is provided by numerous educational programs, for example EDUCA Russian Language School in Saint Petersburg. Russian language courses will give you unique cultural experience and practice.
