Customer Reviews

Russian I - 2nd Ed. (Pimsleur Language Program)

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4 star:		(1)
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I have extensive experience in language learning, including graduate level courses in Applied Linguistics. I shied away from Pimsleur for years because I scoff at the (usually unfounded) claims that this or that method will have you speaking a language in no time. Finally, with limited time and a desire to learn Russian via a full-audio method, I tried Pimsleur. I am now starting comprehensive Russian II and give Pimsleur courses to committed language learners as gifts. Its secret -- a good method underpinned with the best of 50+ years of applied linguistic research, classroom experience and common sense. For many languages, the best materials were developed during World War II and never significantly improved afterward. I wish Pimsleur existed in levels I thru III in ALL languages! Be diligent, listen to each tape 3 or 4 times, give yourself 4 months per level, and you shall speak!

I travel a great deal and need to know a variety of languages. Russian was a challenge! The Pimsleur tapes (I've done Russian I and II and Spanish I) allowed me to go to St. Petersburg and feel relatively comfortable conversing in the language. With this method, phrases come to me during normal speech. It is truly an amazing technique. The tapes are well worth the money.

This is the first audiocassette language program I've tried that really does an excellent job of breaking down words and phrases into meaningful units. The pace is perfect; just about the time you're on the edge of forgetting a word or phrase, the coach on the tape asks you to repeat it.

The process of acquisition is nearly painless, as long as you do your part and talk back at the tape. Russian-speaking friends of mine are quite suprised at my progress.

I'm certainly going to continue with the second volume.

This is an outstanding method for learning Russian. I listen to these tapes when commuting and supplement them with some self-study books. I've had native Russian speakers compliment me on my accurate pronunciation and I have these tapes to thank.

Would you feel funny if a French-language course had "Union Jack" on its cover? Well, the two drinking fellas on the cover of this volume are as Russian as Chinese Samurai. The style of the painting looks like the work of a Georgian artist Niko Pirosmanishvili. Georgian is a very anchient and very rich culture, but very different from Russian, too.

I can understand the logic of the cover designer. The picture looks folklorish and rather primitive, people are drinking alcohol -- it is certainly as Russian as it gets, right? Well, you'll be better off if you learn the language and come to the country to see for yourselves.

Don't get me wrong, I have the warmest feelings towards all the folks who learn Russian, my native language. And that's exactly why it is a shame to see such a blunder on this otherwise extremely useful learning tool.

ZHELAYU UDACHI VSEM IZUCHAYUSCHIM RUSSKIY YAZYK!