Customer Reviews

Teach Me More Russian (Paperback and Audio Cassette): A Musical Journey Through the Year

5 star:		(3)
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3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My husband, Jim, and I adopted a little 3 year old boy, Steven, from Russia last year. Of course, being three, he spoke Russian as his native language. He had never even heard English until he met us. Now, eight months later, he speaks fluent English. However, I did not want him to lose his Russian speaking skills. As Jim and I only speak a few Russian parenting phrases, we could not really build on his skills.

My sister discovered Teach Me Russian and bought if for us. I put it in the stereo for Steven to hear. I was concerned as it started playing as he sometimes gets tense when he hears people speaking in Russian. But my concerns were needless. He looked up at me and had the biggest grin on his face. He said, "I like this one Mama!"

We often play classical or relaxing music for him as he settles in bed after his bath and reading time. Now when Jim goes to start the stereo he says, "Papa, can I hear the FUNNY one" (Meaning the Russian one)....After a couple of days, I said, "Steven, it's not FUNNY, it's Russian". So now he says, Papa, can I hear the Russian one"....I thought he understood that Russian was another language until the other day when he was watching a cartoon and I said, "That's FUNNY!" He looked up at me and said, "That's not FUNNY Mama, that's RUSSIAN!" I cracked up. I guess he's too young to understand we speak many languages on this Earth, but he's not too young to know he loves your tapes.

While I understand the primary use for your tapes is to teach children other languages, I think it is a wonderful comforting tool for internationally adopted children. International adotption is a humanitarian cause which is helping children all over the world. As Americans in a land of pleanty we have so much to share. So much love, opportunity, and good will to give.

This book & tape uses traditional Russian songs, in addition to songs my daughter all ready knew in English, which she now knows in Russian as well! I was skeptical at first, but now I think it's a great teaching method.

My husband, who is Russian, reports that the songs on this are not traditional Russian, to his knowledge, and don't even sound like they might be Russian songs. Many of them are obviously American -- "America the Beautiful" -- and there is a lot of English singing taking up the tape, rather then repeating the Russian verse two or three more times. The Russian itself is well spoken, but for learning traditional Russian children's songs, this is not a good tape.

As an adoptive parent and the founder of Building Blocks Adoption Service, Inc. I highly recommend this tape for your adopted child. We adopted our daughter from Russia and she is so into learning her culture and very proud to be able to sing Russian songs. I highly recommend enhancing your child's culture by buying this tape.

I'm teaching my kids Russian and I was hoping that this CD would provide us with educational time while we drive between schools and activities. For the most part it is a good CD. The best part is the kids dialogue where they speak slowly and clearly. The worst part is the lady singing in a very high pitched voice. Her voice is so high pitched that I can barely make out what she is saying. The man singing is good. In general, I like the CD and the material it covers and teaches.

The songs are in russian and english, but 2 different singers. The russian singer is more opera style and not child centered. There is a russian dialog, but it is never translated in english except in the book. It is difficult to follow along in the book.