Language learning resources

This blog is mostly about garden nonsense, but thought I would write a post on language learning as it may be useful to someone.  Learning another language is a long process, sometimes it can be difficult to measure your progress.  One method is the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale. 

The CEFR is a guideline used to describe achievements of learners of foreign languages.  There are various free online CEFR tests which can be useful to help learners determine which level they have achieved, there are also paid tests that would be more accurate and provide formal certification. 

The levels go from A1 to C2.  In CEFR A1 is the lowest level and C2 is the highest.  For most people (myself included), even getting to A1 takes a lot of time and effort.  

CEFR Levels
A Beginners level         A1 A2
B Intermediate level B1 B2
C Advanced level         C1 C2

I am learning a little of the Russian language, I find it fascinating, and difficult.  The best way to learn would probably be if you were immersed in regular conversations with native speakers.  If you have easy access to people who speak Russian that's great.  Face to face (or online) classes with other learners would also be useful if you can access them.  Otherwise there are a bunch of other resources you can use. 

Below are some of the resources I am using to learn Russian.  Some are better than others, most are free (there is a Russian saying: for free, even vinegar is sweet) and none need you to create an account or sign up or anything like that.  

St. John the Baptist Cathedral Russian Orthodox Church

Cyrillic Alphabet - I am a slow learner and I am getting older.  I figured it would take me months to learn the alphabet, or maybe it would be so difficult that I could never learn it.  I was pleasantly surprised when it took me under an hour to learn, the my kids took under half an hour to learn how to read Russian using the link below.  

Learning the Cyrillic alphabet was surprisingly easy.  I didn't start learning the alphabet until I had learned to say a few words and phrases, and I regret not beginning my language journey by learning to read Cyrillic.  Learning how to read changed my learning immediately, and made it possible to learn speaking and pronunciation much faster and far more efficient.  Learning to read was a game changer.  I strongly suggest starting with learning the alphabet.  This link is to a free resource that is very good.  

 https://www.russianforeveryone.com/RufeA/Lessons/Introduction/Alphabet/Alphabet.htm

I think that link is great, but you may get stuck on a letter or not really understand a letter because there are not many examples (plus there are a few letters which have no sound that it does not explain well).  If you get stuck there is also a set of videos to learn Cyrillic in three hours.  These short videos are very comprehensive, they are interesting, and they also teach a few words.  It is made by the same company as the free podcast below.  It is more comprehensive than the link above, but it takes longer to get through.  The alphabet videos in this link are all free. 

 https://russianaccelerator.com/read-russian.html 

Cyrillic alphabet (not my image) is easier to learn than you think

Podcast - RussianMadeEasy, this is a great resource for the absolute beginner.  It has 30 podcasts, each about 20 minutes long, the website has a transcript of the episodes and a media center.  There is also an app of the same content if you are the kind of person who is into apps.  It provides a foundation of how the language works, the basics of grammar, it explains all six verb conjugations, and teaches some basic sentences, etc.  

RussianMadeEasy uses techniques like contextual learning, construction branching, and pattern recognition for grammar, and has voices from multiple native speakers.  I'm told that it teaches around 250 words but am not sure if that includes cognates as I don't feel like I learned many words.  The company that made this stresses that this podcast is not enough for you to learn the language, it is just a great place to start, and it is free. 

 https://russianmadeeasy.com/ 

I think RussianMadeEasy is a great pod cast and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  It took me a long time to complete this as I wanted to master each lesson before moving onto the next, and I went back to older lessons to review as I progressed.  After completing this I did an online CEFR test.  It was a multiple choice test, and out of 50 questions I only got about 12 correct.  Meaning I am rated below A1.  Some of my correct answers were only because I knew some words outside of the podcast.  I think the podcase is great, I learned a lot and I highly recommend completing it if you are a beginner, but you need to realise that completing these lessons won't get you to A1 language proficiency.  That's ok, you need to start somewhere, and those podcasts are a great place to begin.   

That company also produced a free podcast on understanding spoken Russian.  I would link to it but don't know how as I found this on Spotify.  These also seem good, they are intended to help you get an ear for the language, and you pick up a few words and grammar as you go.  

This company also made a few paid courses, I have no opinion as I haven't seen them.  I don't even know if the company is still in operation.  I sent them an email with a question over their paid course and never received a reply.  Regardless, the free podcasts are excellent and well worth your time if you are a beginner.  

Russian Orthodox Church - Divine Liturgy about to begin

Book - New Penguin Russian Course, this is said to be the best Russian language text book for beginners.  This is meant to be good at teaching grammar, which is essential when learning a language.  It contains a few exercises, but not enough for a beginner beginner like myself.  It also has lists of words to learn, which I struggle with.  

I bought a second hand copy of the book rather than using the pdf version, but thought I would share a link to a free pdf in case someone else needs it, or in case my book falls apart from over use and I need to replace some pages.  That google drive is not mine, if the link doesn't work let me know and I can try to email you a pdf copy or work out something else.  

 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KNeBig36EHpXRGTYdDp0-g3mebUi68y9/view 

I have not completed this book yet, I am told it takes about a year for most people to complete.  I have a feeling it may take me longer than a year.  I am slowly working my way through this book, and am learning a lot as I go.  

I think this is a great book for beginners with a little knowledge of the language.  I don't think I would have a hope of using it had I not learned the alphabet and completed the podcast lessons first.  

Russian Orthodox Church

Между нами Course - free web based text book.  This description is from their website: Между нами is a complete first-year college level Russian course that has been designed for programs that have roughly 150 contact hours of instruction. The material is organized into nine units (уроки) and an epilogue, with each урок subdivided into three parts (части). Each часть shares common thematic and grammatical content which unfolds over the course of several episodes (эпизоды). Еach эпизод on the website consists of a Текст, a related set of comprehension activities called Вы всё поняли? (Did You Get All of Тhat?) and a related grammar explanation called Немно́го о языке́ (A Bit About the Language). In addition to the website, there is a print-on-demand workbook of classroom activities (Работа в аудитории) and homework activities (Домашние задания). The authors envision users working through these materials in small cycles, moving between the website and the two printable workbooks.   

 https://mezhdunami.org/unit01/1_1/index.shtml

I have barely started this course, and am already learning a lot.  Already knowing the alphabet, having an understanding of the verb conjugations, and knowing a few words and phrases before starting is helping make this course a lot more achievable.  I think it would be less fun if I started with no knowledge at all.  Completing the podcasts and learning to read Cyrillic first made this course far more enjoyable.  

Pascha service - many people were there (sorry it is so blurry)

Native speakers - one great way to learn to speak a new language is by speaking to people who are fluent.  I wasn't sure if I would mention this here, but the Russian Orthodox Church generally has people who speak Russian.  

The Eastern Orthodox Church is different to protestant churches and catholic churches in many ways.  They have a lot of traditions, and I find them to be far less judgmental and less legalistic than many (if not all) protestant churches I have attended.  People are there to focus on God and don't seem to care when I do something 'wrong'.  It is quite refreshing to be tolerated in a church rather than looked down upon for being different.  

The strong focus on tradition seems to somewhat stave off the odd messages [eg overly political, self serving, needlessly divisive, or downright unbiblical] that are far too common/accepted in protestant services.  While I certainly don't understand everything that happens during the Divine Liturgy, I seem to understand more of that service than I do of many protestant services that are entirely in English.  If you do attend an orthodox service for the first time, be prepared for everything in the service to be different than a protestant church.  

All parts of the church have a story to tell

Divine Liturgy was about to begin so I took some sneaky photos

NOTE: This post is about learning the Russian language and sharing some excellent free (or low cost) resources.  I made no comment on anything else about Russia or any other country.  

I have little doubt that sooner or later some hateful racist will try to make nasty comments at me for trying to learn to speak Russian.  Sadly, 40+ years of cold war propaganda combined with current world events have been used as an excuse for much hate and fear in Australia.  There is nothing wrong with learning to speak Russian or any other language.  

I don't care about your opinions on politics, and I am sure you have no interest reading about my opinions on politics, so please only leave a comment if you have something to say about learning the Russian language, and please don't bother trying to be hurtful.  

On the other hand, if you have suggestions of other free Russian language resources, I will gladly publish those.  большое спасибо!