Episodes
Sunday Aug 18, 2013
Learning Guide
Sunday Aug 18, 2013
Sunday Aug 18, 2013
Welcome to Russian as a Second Language video podcast series “Say it in Russian.” This podcast supplements classes and provides you the flexibility to learn on your own terms. The focus of the podcast is on real-life situations. The goal of this podcast is to expose you to the Russian spoken by the natives and non-natives speakers of Russian. With additional courses in Russian and my podcast you will be able to engage strangers in a conversation in Russian. To achieve this goal, be sure to have a pencil and a notebook at hand while watching and listening to the episodes. You can also take a look at this podcast learning guide that gives you some additional tips how to improve your Russian.
All episodes are shown in a chronological order -- the oldest post is first, and the most recent post is last.
Mobile View of this podcast offers Episodes from the lowest level to the highest. To download the podcast, you need to have iTunes installed on your computer or you can download the mp3 using the link provided with each You Tube video episode.
All episodes and learning materials are arranged according to the different levels of proficiency and performance in Russian. To use the materials of this website effectively and efficiently, first learn where you stand in your language learning, then make sure you watch the episode designed for the level of your performance in Russian. Next to the title you can find a label of the episode, for example (Novice Mid -- NM), or (Advanced Low -- AL).
There are ten different levels of proficiency: "novice", "intermediate", "advanced", and "superior", of which the first three are subdivided into "low", "mid", and "high". Labeling is based on the levels of proficiency recognized by ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages), however note that ACTFL level and your college level Russian placement may not correlate reliably. Keep in mind, resources of this website are not designed for any type of assessment, but rather for development of three modes of communication: interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational.
This podcast is a fresh look at everyday life situations. It also gives you interactional support and meditates your attempts to take on new vocabulary and grasp some pragmatic features of Russian. This podcast is your temporary scaffolds that support you unless you are able to practice phrases you’ve learnt.
Dialogues may range from casual talks to deliberate conversational exchanges. Be prepare to be challenged. It’s one thing to read dialogues, another to actually hear them. While focus on meaning of the conversational exchange, analyze conversational patterns, monitor and model roles performed in the episodes.
You'll hear the conversation two-three times. First, at a normal speed, then at a slower speed. After that, practice repeating the phrases. Then it will be your turn to perform a conversation, or answer some questions. Find a partner to create your own dialogue. I recommend you first write and then practice your conversation as many times as you need. Your speaking presentations can be recorded. Record your dialogue onto a computer and publish it online. Podcasting can be a very powerful medium in motivating you with a real audience to whom you must speak.
The You tube episodes are offered to advanced level students to expose you to authentic spoken Russian, common idioms, essential colloquial language and slang expressions to help you understand and speak Russian like a native.
You can contact me by clicking the button Contact and ask me a question about my personal experience as it is very helpful to have someone who has an inside opinion about Russia. You are also may leave comments and suggestions by clicking button Comments in order to help me plan future podcasts.