Russian Guide
Our online language tools
The LCC offers a range of software options to study languages and enhance learning languages. Here are some of the resources:
- Mango Languages (multiple languages; create your own account and use online)
- Rosetta Stone (multiple languages; create your own account and use online)
- Skritter (Chinese and Japanese; create your own account and use online)
More information on the language learning softwares can be found here https://www.mtholyoke.edu/lrc/software
Grammar Links
To better understand grammar, it can be useful to look at real examples of how a particular structure or word is used. A "concordancer" is a tool that lets you search for a particular word, phrase or pattern, pulling out example sentences from a database of texts (which might be news articles, novels, speeches, etc.).
A search engine, like Google, can also be a quick, easy way to investigate questions like "What's the right way to say this?" Limit your results by domain to a country where the language is spoken (e.g., websites that end in ".es" for Spain). The more correct or natural wording will usually generate more search results.
- Google Advanced SearchLets you specify language of results or the country code/domain to search within.
- WebCorpThis concordancer searches the whole web for text. You can limit by country or to particular domains (e.g., French news websites).
- CorpusEyeIncludes searches in Danish, English, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Esperanto, Romanian, Swedish, Icelandic, Faroese.
- PolyU Language BankOffers concordance searches in several languages, especially Chinese, English and Japanese.
- SACODEYL - European Youth LanguageDatabase of European teen talk in English, French, German, Italian, Lithuanian, Romanian, and Spanish, including search, videos of interviews and practice exercises.
Virtual Language Learning Communities
It's important to practice expressing yourself in your new language--saying what you want to say, outside of the shelter of the classroom. Do you like meeting new people? You might enjoy a language/conversation exchange, where you connect with someone (from around the world!) who speaks the language you're learning, and who is trying to learn the language you speak. The websites below can help you find a conversation partner.
If you decide to pursue a language exchange, please be cautious about sharing personal information, to keep your identity and your person safe. While some language exchanges turn into lifelong friendships, others fizzle out after the first meeting, so don't be disappointed if your exchange doesn't last. Be upfront with potential conversation partners about your expectations: How often/how long do you want to meet? How much time will you spend speaking in each language? Do you want your partner to correct your language? Do you want to choose topics or talk about whatever comes up?
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The MixxerA language exchange website hosted by an educational institution. Find conversation partners, then meet via Skype.
Fun Apps!
Here is a selection of fun apps that you can access online related to Russian.
It assists you in mastering Russian grammar, learning new vocabulary, practicing speaking and reading Russian, and learning interesting facts about Russian culture and people.
Russian poetry with English translations can be found on this website.
Media: Newspapers, Radio
Here is a selection of newspapers that you can access online related to Russian.
It is a business magazine that publishes the Expert 200, a list of Russia's top 200 corporations.
It is the Izvestia newspaper's photo archive.
It is from Moscow. It needs a device capable of reading Cyrillic characters.
It is the online version of Russia's most famous daily newspaper.
- The Moscow Times (English)
It provides independent news from Russia.
Other Newspapers in Russian that will improve your Russian are.
Here are some Russian Radio Stations.
Podcasts
Here is a selection of podcasts that you can access online related to Russian.
This podcast is for those who already know basic grammar and want to improve their Russian. If you don't speak Russian at all, but can understand a few words, you still can listen to this podcast, it will help you too. The audios are entirely in Russian!
The Russian iteration of SBS (public service broadcaster) includes frequently posted audio news stories with a focus on events related to Australia and Russia.
It is a long-running series with episodes that are best suited for beginner or intermediate-level students.