Learn Russian Now! 8.0

by Transparent Language

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 8.8 x 2.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00004NHL5
• Item model number: RE-R08-2-CD
• Date first available at Amazon.com: March 15, 2000
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,824 in Software (See Top 100 in Software)
  • #20 in Software > Education & Reference > Foreign Languages > Slavic
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Though a bit disjointed and somewhat confusing at times, Transparent Language's Learn Russian Now! is an intriguing, multifaceted two-CD package that educates in an entertaining yet fully immersive environment. The program presumes that its students have had at least minimal exposure to the language and the Cyrillic alphabet, or are otherwise immediately ready to undergo its stiff learning curve; however, those who are serious about understanding Russian in its written form and speaking it with a moderate degree of proficiency should find the software quite enlightening.

At the heart of the program is a group of four increasingly advanced sections--Fundamental Russian, Getting Around Russia, Survival Phrases for Russian, and St. Petersburg: A Window on Europe--each of which includes several diverse sub-elements. Getting Around Russia, for example, features a circa 1980s mini-movie chronicling the misadventures of an American businessman trying his best to adapt to the country and the language. The video quality is grainy and the audio portion marred by a mid-frequency hiss, but the tale is both funny and instructive.

After watching the movie, students are encouraged to access various exercises, including word and sentence pronunciation drills, online quizzes, and edutainment games such as crossword puzzles and word scrambles. The program also offers numerous visual and practical aids, including a nifty waveform display that compares the pupil's version of a particular word or syllable with that of the original Russian-speaking instructor. Unlike a virtual school, Learn Russian Now! does not chart overall progress or grades, yet many of its elements feature high score tallies and visual indicators based upon aptitude and performance.

The program isn't structured linearly, and therefore may frustrate those who like to follow a set path, but for those ready to speak and recognize the characters, words, and common phraseology of the Russian language, Learn Russian Now! is a fine educational enhancement. --Gordon Goble

Amazon.com Product Description

With Learn Russian Now! you'll learn by immersing yourself in Russian. You'll participate in real conversations, read interesting articles, and watch intriguing videos from Russia. Experience four different language-learning titles: Fundamental Russian, Survival Phrases for Russian, Getting Around Russia, and St. Petersburg: A Window on Europe.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

58 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not A Listen 'N Learn, But a Great Course, May 21, 2001

By 

Rick (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Learn Russian Now! 8.0 (CD-ROM)

I bought this course because I needed to be able to read text as well as hold conversations.

The program has four basic parts to it with the main portion being fundamental Russian. The basic presentation is straight forward with text in Russian and English displayed with audio in Russian. There are also games and some nice multi-media in the other portions of the software.

The course builds up a fairly good vocabulary and the use of proper grammar is taught through out the Fundamental Russian portion of the course. There are many features which help you learn pronounciation such as the ability to record your voice and compare your wave, pitch loudness and fricatives to the native speakers', as well as listen to your pronouciation and the native speakers in alternating playback.It also provides a Speech correctness meter which give you some idea of how you are doing.

Some of the audio and diction isn't as clear as I would like, but perhaps that more closely approaches "real world" conditions.

This isn't a "listen and learn" but it is a very good time if you can spend some time in front of your PC each night. You should be able to speak Russian fairly well and as a valuable plus, read in Russian, up to the limits of your vocabulary.

...

62 of 67 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent way of learning Russian, June 14, 2000

By 

Denson Lo - See all my reviews

This review is from: Learn Russian Now! 8.0 (CD-ROM)

This CD rom provides you with an indepth teaching of the Russian language. It is user friendly, and it is created in such a way that it prevents the user from getting too intimidated by this new language. The native speaking part is extremely useful, it allows you to compare your pronounciation with the actual one. An absorbing product, highly reccomended for anyone who is interested in picking up Russian.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good program., August 27, 2001

By 

J. Bundy "Lovemehlabs" (Birmingham, AL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Learn Russian Now! 8.0 (CD-ROM)

This is a very good program to learn Russian in because it gives you the benifit of being able to instantly hear what you are looking at. Not only that but you get instant translations and full dialog on one screen. You can "bookmark" certain words, or write down thoughts that occur to you as you learn. It's a very good program and will help you learn quickly if you get into it. Learning a language is not 'easy', but it doesn't have to be the most difficult thing in the world either. This program is the best aid I've had in my studies of Russian so far.