Read Russian like a Russian from Udemy

What's inside

Learning objective

Ideally, with practice, you will be able to read and pronounce russian words, spell words (easy and straight forward ones).

Syllabus

Pronounce sounds 'd', 't', 'n', 'l', 'k' and 'o' the way Russians do. Read letters: д, к, л, н, о, т

Learn letters д, л, н, к, т, о

Pair up Russian and Latin letters whose sounds resemble one another.

Practice reading words with "д", "т", "л", "н", "п", "к", "о".

Learn when д sounds like т

Paired letters "г" - "к", "б" - "п". Learn some simple words with those letters.

Practice roaring your Rrrrrrrrrr (as in Рррррррр)

Additional practice in reading / pronouncing words with the 12 letters we have gone over by now.

Make words out of given letters. Audible comprehension + spelling practice.

Practice the pair "з" - "с".

Practice and learn some words with the letter "c".

Introducing "ж" - "ш". Practice reading / pronouncing words with these letters.

The pair "в" - "ф". As close to the English sounds as they get.

The difference between "y" and "oo".

The sound we don't have in the English language. This will take some practice. Be patient.

Somewhere between pit and Pete there is "и".

The very un-English-like "e".

Learn how vowels change their sound, depending on where the stress falls in a word.

Take it easy, mind the sounds and increase your speed - gradually.

The two special letters, aka signs, which don't make sounds but modify consonants they follow.

The word "I", aka letter "Я", single letters which sound like "you" and "your".

Letters whose sounds resemble "ch"/"tch" and "sh".

The letters whose sounds resemble "t's" and "h". But not quite.

Take it easy and have fun.

The funny looking letter that sounds like "y".

The final letter for this course.

When "ь" is there for decorative (spelling) purposes.

They may sound like "ца", but they are not "ца".

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Starts with consonants similar to English and gradually introduces completely foreign letters and sounds, which builds a strong foundation for absolute beginners

Focuses on pronunciation differences between Russian and English, which helps learners avoid developing a foreign accent

Pairs Russian and Latin letters with similar sounds, which may help learners make associations and learn the alphabet more easily

Offers optional Skype practice sessions for pronunciation, which provides personalized feedback from the teacher

Includes spelling practice, which may help learners develop a more comprehensive understanding of the Russian language

Requires learners to practice with tongue twisters, which may be challenging for some learners and require patience

Reviews summary

Learn to read russian pronunciation

According to learners, this course offers a strong foundation in reading the Russian Cyrillic alphabet and developing accurate pronunciation. Students particularly appreciate the clear explanations of individual letters and sounds and the step-by-step approach. The course provides helpful techniques for tackling tricky sounds and consonant changes. While primarily focused on reading and pronunciation, it also helps build a basic vocabulary. The course is seen as very effective for complete beginners and those looking to correct foreign accents, although some advanced learners might find the pace slow.

Live practice opportunity available.

"The offer of live practice via Skype with the teacher is a fantastic, unique feature."

"Having the option for personalized pronunciation feedback is invaluable."

"I used the Skype session and found the teacher very helpful."

"Allows for real-time correction of pronunciation issues."

Reading practice solidifies learning.

"The reading exercises at the end of each section were great for practicing what I learned."

"Plenty of examples are provided to practice reading words with new letters."

"The tongue twisters are a fun way to challenge your pronunciation."

"PDFs for extra reading practice are a useful bonus."

Structured and easy to follow.

"The course is very well-structured and takes you step-by-step from simple to more complex concepts."

"I found the gradual introduction of letters and sounds made it easy to absorb the information."

"The pace is perfect for a beginner with no prior knowledge of Russian."

"It builds confidence gradually as you progress through the lessons."

Excellent guidance on authentic sounds.

"Focuses heavily on pronunciation and gives specific tips on how to sound more like a native speaker."

"The explanations on 'consonant chameleons' and vowel reduction were extremely helpful."

"I finally understand how to pronounce the difficult 'ы' sound!"

"Provides detailed instructions for achieving the correct Russian 'R'."

Breaks down the Russian alphabet clearly.

"This course was very informative and helpful in learning all the letters of the Russian alphabet. Clear, concise, and well-organized."

"Each letter is explained thoroughly, including how it sounds in different contexts."

"I learned the alphabet and basic sounds much faster than I expected."

"It's a great resource for understanding the nuances of Russian sounds."

Focuses primarily on reading/pronunciation.

"Keep in mind, this course is strictly about reading and pronunciation, not grammar or vocabulary."

"It delivers exactly what it promises – how to read and pronounce. Don't expect conversation skills."

"While some words are introduced for practice, this isn't a vocab-building course."

"Doesn't cover sentence structure or other language fundamentals."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Read Russian like a Russian with these activities:

Review Basic Phonetics

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Refresh your understanding of basic phonetics to better grasp the nuances of Russian pronunciation.

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Review the IPA chart and phonetic symbols.
Practice transcribing simple English words phonetically.
Identify the place and manner of articulation for common English sounds.

Read 'Russian for Dummies'

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Gain a broader understanding of the Russian language and culture to enhance your learning experience.

View The Gambler Wife on Amazon

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Read the chapters on the Russian alphabet and pronunciation.
Complete the exercises in each chapter.
Make a list of new vocabulary words.

Cyrillic Alphabet Flashcards

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Reinforce your knowledge of the Cyrillic alphabet through repetitive practice.

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Create flashcards with Cyrillic letters on one side and their corresponding sounds on the other.
Practice with the flashcards daily, focusing on letters you find difficult.
Use the flashcards to practice reading simple Russian words.

Four other activities

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Show all seven activities

Record Yourself Reading Russian Words

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Improve your pronunciation by recording yourself reading Russian words and comparing it to native speakers.

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Find a list of Russian words from the course materials.
Record yourself reading the words.
Compare your pronunciation to audio recordings of native speakers.
Identify areas for improvement and practice those words again.

Explore 'The New Penguin Russian Course'

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Deepen your understanding of Russian grammar and vocabulary to improve your reading comprehension.

View The New Penguin Russian Course: A Complete... on Amazon

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Work through the grammar explanations and exercises.
Pay attention to the pronunciation guides and audio materials.
Use the vocabulary lists to expand your knowledge of Russian words.

Explore Russian Pronunciation Tutorials on YouTube

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Refine your pronunciation skills by following online tutorials and practicing with native speakers.

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Search for Russian pronunciation tutorials on YouTube.
Focus on tutorials that address specific sounds or letters covered in the course.
Practice along with the tutorials, paying attention to the mouth movements and intonation of the speakers.

Translate a Short Russian Text

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Apply your reading skills by translating a short Russian text into English.

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Find a short Russian text, such as a news article or a blog post.
Read the text carefully, using a dictionary or online resources to look up unfamiliar words.
Translate the text into English, paying attention to grammar and meaning.
Compare your translation to a professional translation, if available.

Career center

Learners who complete Read Russian like a Russian will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Translator

A translator converts written material from one language into another. This course can help individuals build a foundation by improving their pronunciation of Russian and expanding their vocabulary. The course's focus on mastering the Russian alphabet's unique sounds and practicing pronunciation may be useful. The course may also improve reading and spelling skills, providing a basis for more advanced language study. Regular Skype practice sessions with the teacher may support pronunciation accuracy.

See salaries and explore the career path for Translator

Interpreter

An interpreter converts spoken material from one language into another. This course focuses on mastering the Russian alphabet's sounds and practicing pronunciation, which may be useful for interpreters. The course's focus on pronunciation and expanding vocabulary may benefit aspiring interpreters. The course provides live practice and tips on pronunciation via Skype, which may help individuals improve their speaking skills. The course may help individuals tackle unique sounds and master them.

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Language Teacher

A language teacher instructs students in a foreign language. This course can help individuals improve their Russian reading and pronunciation skills. Focusing on the specifics of the Russian alphabet and its sounds, the course provides a strong base for teaching the language. The course provides live practice and tips on pronunciation via Skype. The course may serve as a base-level understanding for teaching.

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Linguist

A linguist studies language, its structure, and its evolution. This course may provide a foundation in Russian phonetics and phonology by focusing on mastering the unique sounds of the Russian alphabet. By learning to differentiate Russian sounds from their English counterparts and practicing pronunciation, individuals may improve their understanding of language structure. The course may improve individuals' understanding of the nuances of the Russian language.

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Foreign Correspondent

A foreign correspondent reports on events in a foreign country. This course may provide individuals with a foundation in reading and pronouncing Russian. The course's focus on pronunciation and vocabulary expansion may be useful for communicating effectively in a Russian-speaking environment. Skype practice sessions are available to help perfect pronunciation. This course may improve one's preparedness to tackle unique language.

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Intelligence Analyst

An intelligence analyst gathers and analyzes information to assess threats and provide insights. This course may help individuals improve their ability to read and understand Russian texts, which may be useful for analyzing Russian-language sources. The course may help build a foundation for reading and understanding Russian-language materials. The course syllabus includes an introduction to the Russian alphabet, pronunciation practice, and vocabulary building.

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Tour Guide

A tour guide leads groups of people through a specific location, providing information and answering questions. This course may provide a foundational knowledge of Russian pronunciation and basic vocabulary, which may be useful for a tour guide working with Russian-speaking tourists. The course may help one to communicate with tourists. The course syllabus may help in addressing tourists in Russian.

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Diplomat

A diplomat represents their country's interests in a foreign country through negotiation and diplomacy. This course may help individuals improve their Russian pronunciation and reading skills, which can facilitate communication and understanding in diplomatic settings. The course may help promote effective communication. The course syllabus may provide a knowledge base for reading documents.

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Cultural Attaché

A cultural attaché promotes cultural exchange and understanding between countries. This course may provide a foundation in Russian pronunciation and reading, which can enhance communication and appreciation of Russian culture. The course's emphasis on mastering the Russian alphabet and its unique sounds may improve understanding. The course syllabus may bring one closer to this career path.

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Archivist

An archivist is responsible for appraising, collecting, organizing, preserving, and providing access to historical records and archives. If an archivist processes Russian-language documents, this course may improve their ability to read and pronounce the language. The course may serve as a base for reading historical records. The course syllabus may help in reading archived documents.

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Librarian

A librarian helps people find information and resources, often specializing in a particular subject area or language. This course may help a librarian who works with Russian-language materials to better understand and pronounce titles, author names, and other relevant information. The course may help with pronunciation of titles. The course syllabus may provide skills to process records.

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Subtitler

A subtitler creates subtitles for films, television shows, and other video content, translating dialogue and other audio elements into written text. This course may provide a basic understanding of the Russian alphabet and pronunciation, which may be useful for subtitling Russian-language content. The course may help build a base for language. The course syllabus may serve as an introduction.

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International Business Consultant

An international business consultant advises companies on how to expand their operations into foreign markets. This course focusing on the Russian language may not be directly applicable, but a basic understanding of Russian pronunciation and reading may be useful. The course may improve communication. The course syllabus may help one to understand unique sounds.

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International Aid Worker

An international aid worker provides assistance to people in need in developing countries or conflict zones. This course focuses on the Russian language and may not be directly applicable, but a basic understanding of Russian pronunciation and reading may be beneficial. The course may improve communication. The course syllabus may help with the alphabet.

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Travel Blogger

A travel blogger creates content about their travel experiences, often including photos, videos, and written descriptions. This course may provide a basic understanding of Russian pronunciation and vocabulary, which may be useful for a travel blogger visiting Russia. The course may help improve pronunciation. The course syllabus may serve as a base.

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Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Read Russian like a Russian.

The New Penguin Russian Course

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Comprehensive beginner's course in Russian, covering grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. It aligns well with the course's objective of teaching Cyrillic reading and pronunciation. It provides a structured approach to learning the language from scratch, making it a valuable resource for learners who want a more in-depth study of the Russian language.

The New Penguin Russian Course: A Complete Course...

Paperback

The Gambler Wife

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Provides a solid foundation in the Russian language, including pronunciation and basic grammar. It's particularly helpful for beginners who want a comprehensive overview before diving into the specifics of reading. The book offers practical exercises and examples to reinforce learning. It can be used as a reference throughout the course.

Read Russian like a Russian

What's inside

Learning objective

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Learn to read russian pronunciation

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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