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Not for Profit Center for Russian, Ukrainian & FSU Bride Info. > Russian Bride Forum: General Discussion Forums > First Steps (Start Here) > Teaching English in Russia (Learning Russian) |
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Not for Profit Center for Russian, Ukrainian & FSU Bride Info. > Russian Bride Forum: General Discussion Forums > First Steps (Start Here) > Teaching English in Russia (Learning Russian) |
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| Teaching English in Russia (Learning Russian) | Rate Topic |
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| Posted: Tuesday September 5th, 2006 12:48 am |
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1st Post |
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Rattlehead Member
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Has anyone done this? Or gone to Russia for Russian classes for a total-immersion experience? Also, does anyone know of Russian language tutoring in the NY area? Has anyone audited or taken Russian language classes in college? Also what about those Rosetta Stone and similar CD programs? Rosetta Stone claims a "total-immersion experience" but how can that be possible from CDs or CD-ROMs? I don't understand that. Any info on these questions would be great. Thanks.
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| Posted: Tuesday September 5th, 2006 03:59 am |
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2nd Post |
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ronin1 Administrator 
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Rattlehead, I have tried several audio lesson packages, including the short Pimsleur course. All audio and even video courses have the same drawbacks in that they can’t be fully immersive. How can listing to a language teach you how to position your jaw, lips and tongue to create sounds that you have never emanated before? How can one identify the nuances of Russian phonics without having them pointed out? Perhaps to your ear you maybe able to reproducing the sounds to pass the programs feedback monitor. Unfortunately, they are very tolerant of errors, while a trained instructor is not. Most CD courses are geared for the business traveler. They are designed to impair basic working knowledge to get by on ones own. They do this by teaching most common travel situations and spoken interactions. To speak Russian correctly, more often than not requires a teacher. To spend serious time with these audio/video programs for speaking a language, there will be an equal time unlearning the bad or incorrect habits learned. This is especially true for those that have some Russian background already. If you want to do it right, go to your local college. In college, CD interactive lessons are just a teaching aid when closely monitored by the instructor. My instructor used the ‘Live From Moscow’ workbook series (1st workbook by Kira S. Gor 1996 ISBN 0-7872-2707-2) with video. Ronin Last edited on Tuesday September 5th, 2006 04:01 am by ronin1 |
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| Posted: Tuesday September 5th, 2006 07:03 am |
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3rd Post |
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Rattlehead Member
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Thanks Ronin. I'm looking into taking a course at one of the local universities or colleges. Unfortunately, I decided I was going to do this so late, and now classes are starting and I'd hate to start late if that is even possible. I know that one local University where I have a friend attending their classes are starting tomorrow (or I guess today technically). I don't think I have the money for a private teacher, unfortunately, but on the off chance I could find one that was affordable, where do you suggest I look for one? Thanks again.
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| Posted: Tuesday September 5th, 2006 08:18 pm |
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4th Post |
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dwfunk Member 
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Yes, I have to agree with Ronin. You can be "understood" when you learn from CD's, but to truly speak properly you need to have a trained instructor help you with producing those 'strange' sounds and to point out the nuances of the vocabulary. I took a 6 weeks "continuing education" class with an instructor from the Ukraine, and she promptly was able to point out all of us in class that were attempting to learn from recorded media. It was a tremendous help to have someone who can help you with the 'mechanics' of producing the strange sounds. I am fortunate in that my fiancee is also willing and patient enough to also help me with the correct pronunciations and all the correct nuances. Of course, I get put on the spot, as I'm expected to assist her the same with English! But hey, that's part of the joy of the relationship! Helping each other! My main goal is to be able to communicate with the in-laws and with all her other Russian relatives and friends without having to depend on her for all the translation. Once she figured out that I was serious about learning, she became very supportive, and has told me that she really values what I am doing. Wow, side benefit: and she is not bashful about expressing her appreciation. I like!! So, go ahead, enroll in an actual language course. Something else I'm researching are groups that occasionally get together for the purpose of practicing specific language skills, and obviously I'm looking for a Russian speaking group. oh, another place to practice: Near us is a small cafe and store, called "Moscow 2" located in The Woodlands, TX. The owners of course speak English and Russian, (and Ukrainian), but we've discovered they are tickled to hear us attempt to speak Russian and will reply accordingly. The menu's are in English and Russian and they are happy to communicate in as much Russian as you dare to try. They are also good at assisting with correct pronunciation. Some of the wait staff seem to know more Russian than English, but they will occasionally help in learning the pronunciation of a new word. ---- David & Natalia Republic of Texas/Moscow, Russia http://www.davidandnataliafunk.org/ 16th World Spacemodeling Championships
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| Posted: Wednesday September 6th, 2006 02:04 am |
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5th Post |
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ronin1 Administrator
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Dwfunk is right. You get extra points for putting an effort into learning their language. You don't even have to be good at it. Just showing that you care enough to value their culture is well thought of by any potential bride. Ratttlehead, of course one never wants to start a class late, however is it your intent to get credit for the class or to enrich yourself as much as possible before you make your first visit? If it is the latter, I suggest that you see if you can audit this class. to audit is to register for the class but not receive credit for it. The instructor will often allow this if the class is not full. Ask you friend it this is the case or not. If you are language challenged like most men are you will be well prepared to take credit for it in the following semester. Your alternative is to hire a high priced private tutor. You will get no credits from them. Remember, the RW that you will meet will be more impressed with you having taken the college class and speaking a little Russian well than you telling her that you are going to take a Russian language class after your visit her. Ronin
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| Posted: Wednesday September 6th, 2006 08:15 pm |
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6th Post |
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Rattlehead Member
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Thank you dwfunk and Ronin for responding. Yes, the reason I want to take the course is to show that I'm serious about this and that I care. Hopefully they will be impressed that I am that committed to this and that I care that much. And, yes showing that I appreciate their language and culture. I suppose I'll get points for effort no matter what (although being more versed is more impressive), but hopefully I'll learn at least enough to make visits to Russia and communicating with the ladies easier. As far as your question, Ronin, I really don't care about getting credit for the course, I'm only doing this for my own good. Besides, as I understand, I don't have to pay the tuition cost for the course if I only audit it. I think. I hope I'm right about that! I think I still have to pay for books and possibly fees though. I'm really primarily concerned with learning the language, not earning college credit. I figure the more money I save the more money I can save for visiting Russia. Which reminds me, being young (which may be a nice advantage with younger ladies), I don't have great amounts of money at my disposal. How should I go about visiting Russia on a shoestring budget? I was thinking that a job teaching English over there would be perfect as it would get me over there with defrayed costs, and I'd be able to work (only job I think I could do over there), therefore earning money to finance my stay there. And of course, big plus, something I would want to do anyway, is that I'd be in a "total immersion experience" and would be able to take Russian classes in Russia. I can't think of a better way to learn the language. Does anyone know how to go about setting a situation like that up? I'm looking at Berlitz. There's another school needing an English teacher as well, but they are quite remote in the interior of the country. I think it's a high school.
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| Posted: Friday September 8th, 2006 05:15 am |
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7th Post |
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ronin1 Administrator
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Rattlehead, It sounds like you are kicking the idea of living there. I would have thought about it more myself had I not had so much to tie me to the States. Regardless, it is not an easy proposition. If it were easy, everyone would be doing it. I have heard of a few that have tried this. There are several hurdles to cross. 1) Finding a sponsor - Getting your foot in the door is the first big step. This stops many right at square one. When WM find that they can make as little as a few dollars/hr (depends greatly on location) it seems not worth it at all. 2) Ok, lets say you have a sponsor. They will prepare the needed docs for you to get a business visa or better. Then you ship over to beening a stranger in a strange land. If you're not used to traveling to non-western countries, it can be quite a shock. The standards of living, customs and the way things get done are very different. You will be expected to cope with these on your own. The interaction at a typical store is a good example. You go in and wait in-line (Russian lines have different customs as well) for help. Once you get to the counter, you ask (Russian needed) to buy products that are ~2 meters behind the counter. Well, the products are perhaps wrapped, bottled, boxed or canned in Russian so how you are going to know what you are buying takes some figuring out. Depending on the section of the store you are in, you will have to acquire the price, weigh, volume and/or description of the products (in Russian) you would like to purchase from each section. Then you go to the cashier booth. The cashier will ask you what sections you are buying what products (in Russian of course). Or, perhaps she will ask how much is the total cost of products per section. Then you will have to understand what she is asking and reply correctly in Russian. After you pay, you will have to take your receipt to the counter again and ask the same shop girl for your goods. It can be very verbally intensive. There are larger shopping markets that have a more Western style where you go and grab what you want to buy. However, these stores charge 40% and up over the local stores. Best to get used to the smaller stores as soon as possible in your case. Next is the shower ritual... well that's another story. 3) You get beyond the cultural shock and figure how things work in Russia. Now pay day comes along and you find out that the company has had some clerical errors in your account. Your pay check will be late... or so they say. 4) As a foreigner in Russia you will get preferred rates for as many things that you want to buy. Trying to budget things on how Russians' have to pay doesn't work so well. The point is that in Russia the simple mundane day-to-day things are a lot of work and that is after you spend your 10 to 12 hours at your day job. You earn a few rubles and find that you are under the thumb of your sponsoring company. You may have to work 12 hours and get paid for 8. Then they may hamstring you the longer you stay for the promise of backpay... and of course you have to stay with them anyway for your visa. Well, things don't aways work that way, but it could. One has to have a certain kind of constitution to make it in Russia. I've once said to my wife that I would like to live in Russia. She looked at me with a crazed expression and said' "Are you crazy!" Perhaps this post is not all that encouraging. If you can look at it as a challenge then perhaps you have the right stuff. Ronin Last edited on Friday September 8th, 2006 07:05 am by ronin1 |
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| Posted: Friday September 8th, 2006 05:51 am |
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8th Post |
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Rattlehead Member
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Ronin, Thank you for taking an interest in my challenges ahead. I, unfortunately don't have time to fully respond to your post right now because I'm actually registering for and attending a Russian 101 class tomorrow! Believe me, I think things through and I want to be prepared before I go off to Russia willy nilly! I will respond to the rest of your post tomorrow or Saturday, and let you know how my first day in Russian class went. Thanks! Rat
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| Posted: Friday September 8th, 2006 07:09 am |
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9th Post |
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ronin1 Administrator
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Rattlehead writes: I'm actually registering for and attending a Russian 101 class tomorrow! Way to go! The inexpensive is not the easiest way but is often the best way for the soul. Ronin
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| Posted: Sunday September 10th, 2006 12:05 am |
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10th Post |
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Rattlehead Member
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ronin1 wrote: Rattlehead, Well, things don't aways work that way, but it could. One has to have a certain kind of constitution to make it in Russia. I've once said to my wife that I would like to live in Russia. She looked at me with a crazed expression and said' "Are you crazy!" Okay, there's the black text again. I don't quite understand how this quoting system works. Anyway, yeah, I realize all the challenges, but, what the hell, I won't gain anything by just giving up and never challenging myself. Thanks for all the advice though. And don't worry, I have to hear about the challenges and pitfalls to get a realistic picture of what I have to do. I'd rather be prepared than go with rosy and unrealistic expectations and be disappointed and disadvantaged. I appreciate all that you can tell me. Good and bad. Rat Last edited on Sunday September 10th, 2006 12:07 am by Rattlehead |
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| Posted: Sunday September 10th, 2006 08:59 pm |
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11th Post |
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ronin1 Administrator
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Rattlehead, Glad to hear that you have taken my posts in the right light. It's not my intent to discourage anyone. However, at the same time I don't want anyone to take a leap of faith without some reasonable expectation that there will be some sure footing on the other side. That is what this forum is all about. To be successful and do it effectively (least impact on resources) takes knowledge and planning. Most of it can be found here. Most members are not seriously contemplating on moving to Russia. For them, they can read and study one forum at a time as they progress through the steps of this process. Rattlehead, in your case it might be better to take in everything on this site. The shower ritual will be coming up in a new thread. Ronin
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| Posted: Sunday November 26th, 2006 04:46 am |
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12th Post |
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ronin1 Administrator
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Rattlehead, I just found a forum that may help you directly or indirectly in finding a job in Russia. Take a look at this: WTR Jobs and Lessons Hope this helps. Ronin
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| Posted: Monday February 5th, 2007 06:40 pm |
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13th Post |
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Rattlehead Member
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Wow, I haven't been on here in so long! I've been so busy with my Russian class and work and stuff. Thanks for that link, I think it will prove to be very useful!
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| Posted: Friday February 9th, 2007 08:36 am |
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14th Post |
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ronin1 Administrator
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Rattlehead, I found another link worth looking at. Its mostly about work for expat in the Ukraine. Hope this helps as well. Expat Ukraine International Portal, Jobs Available And I just found another one in the Moscow area: Expat.ru, employment Ronin Last edited on Friday February 9th, 2007 08:42 am by ronin1 |
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| Posted: Friday February 9th, 2007 08:41 pm |
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15th Post |
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Rattlehead Member
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Thanks Ronin! Those sites look awesome! I'm looking into getting a TESOL certificate and getting a job teaching English over there! These links will certainly help!! --Rat
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