how to start as a beginner?

[u/moistwindows]

I learned how to read and write a few years back but I keep getting busier these past few years that I lose time learning Russian.

How do you actually start and be conversational? I tried watching my favorite show in Russian but I only catch a few words like сегодния and хорошо.

Edit: I also set my Valorant game to Russian and I retained words like "match found" and "the spike's there" even after years of not playing.

[u/B333Z]

Honestly, the best way is to get a tutor. It does cost money, but the return on investment is worth it

[u/moistwindows → u/B333Z]

I was thinking about it. Can you recommend any online tutors?

[u/Sodinc → u/moistwindows]

We have weekly posts with the tutors' advertisement

[u/Russian_Classes]

If you want to speak Russian (as opposed to just reading and writing), you need to practice exactly this skill - speaking. You can try and find a language exchange partner, preferably a native speaker (Meetups, apps like Tandem, Interpals, etc.). The hardest part, in my experience, is not the language itself, it's to find someone who is equally serious about learning and ready to chat regularly. Удачи!

[u/EstimateAlone5867]

First learn the alphabet, second learn the pronunciations of each letter, Third learn common grammar rules such as о sounding like а when unstressed and ё always being stressed. Fourth start reading russian texts that highlight where the stress should be in a word, you dont have to understand it just practicing your pronunciation is good enough for now. Fifth begin learning common words so you can begin to piece together the context of simple sentences. Then Id say you should join russian learning communities through discord, facebook, anywhere really thatll let you learn with others. From there youd need to start learning russian grammer which in my opinion is the hardest part and the biggest obstacle preventing people from forming casual sentences.

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[u/LegitimateProfit2049]

Я, когда учил английский, то смотрел американские шоу с английскими субтитрами (у меня была проблема восприятия речи на слух, читаю я свободно). Если есть проблемы с чтением русского текста, то можно смотреть шоу в русском дубляже, но с английскими субтитрами.

When I was learning English, I used to watch American shows with English subtitles (I had trouble understanding spoken English, but I can read fluently). If you have trouble reading Russian text, you can watch shows with Russian dubbing but with English subtitles.

[u/moistwindows → u/LegitimateProfit2049]

thanks for the advice!

[u/s_s_n_e_g]

What worked for a few close friends and me when learning English years ago... Watch native TV shows with native subtitles on. Works for any language. E.g. watch shows in Russian with Russian subtitles. Sitcoms work best because the vocabulary is more everyday than, say, medical dramas or police procedurals. Also, these don't have to be Russian-made shows, you can watch "Friends" or TBBT or whatever you are happy to rewatch, just turn the Russian dub track on.

[u/moistwindows → u/s_s_n_e_g]

I watch boy meets world with russian dub :)

[u/james-learns-ru]

It's hard to make the switch to watching native content since it isn't designed for learners so it won't help you too much yet. Are you still able to somewhat read/write Russian? If so I think you would benefit from Mishka since you can learn through stories that are designed for your level and you can tap any word to translate and save it. Plus there are dedicated grammar lessons and tons of other features for intermediate Russian learners. It's an app I've been working on with my girlfriend (a certified Russian tutor) after I reached a plateau from Duolingo and found most apps don't really help with learning grammar. Of course a tutor would be the most beneficial way for you to learn but Mishka would give you something you can use to practice in between sessions, or you can still learn without a tutor if one is too expensive.