So, I started learning Russian about 6 months ago from scratch. I have managed to complete all 3 levels of Pimsleur Russian, which has given me a decent base of knowledge. But now that I'm done with Pimsleur, I don't know where to turn next. Can anyone recommend some good texts for an 'advanced beginner' (i.e. Someone with some basic knowledge of Russian grammar and a working vocabulary of maybe 500 words)? Without Pimsleur to guide me I feel like I'm floundering and doomed not to progress any further.Thanks!. I'm also going through the Pimsleur course (I just started level 3), I've been studying for 6 months, and I probably have a similar vocabulary.I've heard a few posts speak negatively of the Pimsleur course, but I have really enjoyed it.
I know not all the translations and words are correct, and I have minor issues, but I look past that. It is a huge foundation of listening to people speak the language, and trying to repeat what they say. That is something very few other resources are offering. Listening to full sentences with proper grammar and pronunciation, and trying to respond or repeat. I am a little worried as well when I complete the Pimsleur course because I will lose my 'daily conversation' tool, and just memorizing words and rules I don't seem to progress as quickly.
Only Pimsleur gives me full sentences to speak and think about word order/grammar.Once I finish Pimsleur level 3, I will definitely be looking for another audio/video based course with real speech. Here's what I've found so far to mimic that learning style:4 hours audio course called 'Just Listen and Learn'. Great suggestions!
I too am looking forward to the Russian Duolingo release.I agree on having a variety of different source materials. What I miss about Pimsleur, though, was how it provided a very regimented course of study. That took a lot of the effort out of learning so I could just focus on the language rather than having to design my own curriculum, so to speak.I actually finished Pimsleur level 3 about a month ago and since then, partly because I didn't know what else to do, I went back to level two and have been doing random lessons. This has been very helpful in terms of cementing what I learned, and I don't feel it has been a waste of time at all. When I first went through Level 2 I was probably only getting half of the speaking prompts right, the second time through I was 85%+.
It really made me realize how much I have progressed, which is important for motivation, too.I will definitely check out some of the sources you have recommended. I would recommend checking out Lingq. It is more ideally suited for intermediate to advanced language learners (I have used it with great success for French, which I have been studying for years), but I think perhaps I am getting to the point where I can benefit from it in Russian. You probably can, too.Good luck!.
I have been using Pimsleur for a bit now and I have been learning quite a bit. But recently I have been having troubles.I am currently on lesson 29 of it's 100 lessons. On lesson 22, a new instructor who only speaks in German was added to the list of speakers. Since the introduction of this new speaker, I have been having an even harder time with each lesson. His speech can be difficult to understand due to his speed and accent.
THE PIMSLEUR GUIDE PIMSLEUR ® SIMON & SCHUSTER’S. 3 GUIDELINES FOR SUCCESS Complete the lesson units in strict consecutive order (don’t. He was fluent in French, good in German, and had a working knowledge of Italian, Russian, Modern Greek, and Mandarin Chinese. After obtaining his.
Because of this and the lack of any real instruction to grammar or conjugation. I am feeling at a loss when it comes to learning.
I am learning the vocabulary alright, but structure and grammar are really a hindrance.Because of all of these issues along with the need to constantly rewind, re-listen and google translate what it being said, it usually takes me anywhere between 1 to 1.5 hours to get through a 25 minute lesson. I usually have to do each lesson twice before I feel comfortable enough to proceed.At lesson 28, I was informed that conversations will now be at a more conversational pace. This has me concerned for a couple reasons.
I still have to pause the lesson and think about what was first told to me to understand it, think of the response, say it and then correct the word order.All of these leads me to my questions.1) Am I behind in where the program is expecting me to be? Do I or should I go back through each lesson until I can respond without translating to and from each language within the allotted time that the program has given me?2) Which resource is recommended for grammar?
I read through the wiki, but what I saw was only partially completed. If there were other options, I must have just missed them.3) Is my current method of rewinding and google translating okay and I'm just stressing myself or am I actually doing something wrong?I am sorry that this turned into a rant of sorts.
I am aware that a lot of this is subjective to me, but I was hoping that people who have been learning the language or have a greater understand the program could help. I also couldn't tell if this post would have been more suited to or here on. 0) I do not recall if Pimsleur has a full transcript, but try to get one and follow it for all initial attempts at Units/Lessons.1) No, you are exactly where the program expects you to be. Unfortunately, Pimsleur is not really designed to be a smooth progression and certainly not a comprehensive course. It will have lumps where you just have to push through. Also, unlike some other courses, they mix a lot of different types of tasks within a single audio unit, e.g.
Listening to mixed German and English, translating German, translating English, repeating German, listening to German-only etc. This can take some getting used to for absolute beginners.Yes, you should only consider a lesson complete if you can respond in the fairly huge, but frequent pauses for answers.2) As you've discovered, Pimsleur is better suited at filling in, refreshing or complementing with other language work. The Wiki does actually have some. If you are new to language learning, I'd recommend Schaum's Outline, otherwise any of the other concise texts should be an appropriate supplement.3) You should never need to Google Translate or refer to external sources for the very basic and small repetitive vocabulary used in Pimsleur. They almost introduce every single word and translate it into English for you.
You are expected to remember it via the constant repetition and almost SRS phrase usage. So, as per point 0 - get a transcript, and perhaps note down every old word that you forget to remind yourself. Some people go even as far as to enter previously forgotten words into an SRS like Anki. As far as I've been able to tell, Pimsleur does not have a transcript. Several times now, I have almost sat down and written one for myself.1) It's good to know that I'm at least staying up with the course.2) Thank you for pointing out those books. I did miss them earlier.3) I feel I should clarify.
Because I do not have a transcript, Google is mostly used to find out the word's spelling or as a reminder as to what a word means so I can finish my answer before hearing it spoken to me. I am aware that Google lacks in a lot of places.Somehow writing down vocabulary never crossed my mind. I'll start a list.