English course for her?

[Photo Guy]

She can't speak English.   !!!
Everything else is great so far, but I've been surfing
the net for a course on CD for her to learn English.
There are plenty of 'Learn Russian' materials, but
what is there for vice versa?

I may send her the course
I have for learning Russian phrases, on CD. On that
CD you hear a guy say 'Good morning' and then
a woman says 'Dobray Utre' twice. That may be good
enough to get her started. ...Any advice?  -doug

[Bruno]

Hello Doug,

some problem with search engine :-)))

Try http://www.speakalanguage.com/english/courses/products-lc/e-ru-comprehensive1.htm : English for Russian speaker ( CD of cassettes )

Try http://www.learn4good.com/shopping/extras/ectaco/canada/dictionaries/american_english_course_interactive_lessons_software.html , the first article at the top, a book...

Try :

- http://www.pimsleurapproach.com/learn-english-ru-home.asp

- http://www.gy.com/language/en_educa_tes.htm ... article w1742 , w1744, w1745, w2085, w3616, w3617 ....

And a lot of more ....  use search engine ... don't type in search engine the following search string ( 5 470 000 result on google ) :

english course for russian

but type the next one ( 22 900 result on google ) :

"english course" for russian

 

[Photo Guy]

Hello Doug,

some problem with search engine :-)))

Thank you!  I am so stupid!    -doug

[Photo Guy]

I randomly chose this one:
http://www.pimsleurapproach.com/learn-english-ru-home.asp?
I had it shipped to her.

Can anyone recommend a good portable electronic
translator?  -doug L.

[Bruno]

Again me Doug...

A online course at http://www.englishmadesimple.com/

A great book for your girl... it is free : http://www.ectaco.com/manuals/levental_ru.pdf

I have find a great one translator, almost perfect but expansive ( 500$ , you can spare 100$ on the price with the reduction coupon in the book i refert up ):

http://www.ectaco.com/dictionaries/view_info.php3?pagelang=23&dict_id=1015&refid=31

Our newest bilingual system with English and Russian speech recognition and voice output functions will give you over 1,000,000 words including American idioms, medical, technical, legal, and business terms, as well as common and colloquial expressions and is an interactive language learning system. The language course is designed as a two-step process with placement and progress tests and the full complex of grammatical, vocabulary, and phonetic exercises to help you master English. Special tutorials pronounce, translate, and explain the foreign language material to you. The special textbook included in the package completes the set.

• Advanced English speech synthesis delivers the pronunciation of any text, not only dictionary entries. The transcription for English words is given in all dictionaries [/*]
  
• Interactive English language tutor [/*]
  
• Complete guide to English Grammar, Vocabulary, and Phonetics [/*]
  
• Highly efficient full-text translation with Lingvobit™ translation system [/*]
  
• You can create your own customized editable dictionary which automatically links to the main dictionary [/*]
  
• Russian speech recognition and output functions are supported in the phrasebook only [/*]
  
• Russian speech recognition is supported in the phrasebook only [/*]
  
• MorphoFinder function helps you find dictionary entries for English past participles, gerunds, noun plural forms, and Russian adjective forms [/*]
  
• Russian speech synthesis is limited to phrasebook entries [/*]
  
• Additional Russian-German dictionary, 250 000 entries [/*]
  
• Accent correction function will coach you and help you to perfect your English pronunciation: Partner will recognize your speech and rate it [/*]
  
• Fully automated text translation [/*]
  
• US citizenship exam preparation guide [/*]
  
• Learner`s cards will make memorization tasks easy and will work to quickly expand your vocabulary[/*]

Again fing with Google :-))))

[Photo Guy]

That looks good! Does it go both ways - for
Russians learning english and vice versa?  -doug
I must check it out. I may get a home equity loan for
my trip to Kiev, and that'll cover the gizmo.

[jb]

I may get a home equity loan for
my trip to Kiev, and that'll cover the gizmo.

I hope that was said in jest.

[Elen]

I may send her the course

 

:? Do you REALLY think we have nothing here at all???

There is an OCEAN of literature, CDs (cost about 100 r ) courses and Video cassetes, English language films with russian and english captioning data and so on at our market. It's only a matter of wish

[jb]

I agree with Elen, there are tons of study material available in the FSU. especially in the larger cities.

You should also know, English is probably the most widely studied second language in the FSU.  With most of the population who have studied English, capability is a matter of degree.  Most will already have some ability in English, they may not be anywhere close to fluent, but they do know something.  This is especially true among the younger, more cosmopolitian crowd.  Even the worst among them will have been exposed to English through our pop music, (we can only pray the hip-hop fad doesn't infect the FSU), American soap operas on TV, and American movies.

I wouldn't worry about sending her an English course, she can get lessons from a tutor, and instructional material locally much easier than you think.

[Photo Guy]

Why wouldn't a UW who has posted a profile on the internet,
already be busy studying English? Could she be afraid of
that inevitable challenge, or what?  -doug L.

[Turboguy]

Hi Doug

I have been studying Russian for about 3000 years.  I own Pimsleurs 1& 2,  Rosetta Stone 1 & 2,  Barron's Russian,  Fast and Easy Russian,  Language now versions 3, 4 5 & 8, & I think I am missing one or two.   After all that effort, I could not say hello to someone.    It is not always all that easy.

Another factor is that if they want to do it right and have a teacher it can run a big part of their income.    I have heard prices as high as $ 150 a month, ok, I have paid prices as high as $ 150 a month for gals I got nowhere with.  Humm maybe that is why I can't learn Russian, I am dumb.  I knew there was a good reason.

 

[Bruno]

[line]
Why wouldn't a UW who has posted a profile on the internet,
already be busy studying English? Could she be afraid of
that inevitable challenge, or what? -doug L.

[line]

Doug, why English ? Why not French, Deutch, Italian, German, Dutch, ... Internet is worldwide... she don't know before where she go find her love !!!

[Turboguy]

Actually Doug, i have been surpised how much English the gals who "Don't Speak" English really know.    They are exposed to it in many ways.   In addition to all the programs i bought, I also have about 3 electronic tranlators (and 4 dictionaries)   The latest one I bought was fairly expensive state of the art and the same one a gal I visted had and it i mpressed me.  

Actually even though it translates full sentances it isn't worth much.   The gals i was using it with could not understand the translation the machine spit out but they could understand what I was typing in perfectly.  Even thought the machine was worthless it did the trick.   They often know more English than they admit but don't get a chance to use it.

[Photo Guy]

Doug, why English ? Why not French, Deutch, Italian, German, Dutch, ... Internet is worldwide... she don't know before where she go find her love !!!

Yeah, I see what you mean. It's just that I sensed some reluctance
on her part, in the first couple of emails. I've changed her mind.
I've seduced her.   -doug L.

[Photo Guy]

Hi Doug
I have been studying Russian for about 3000 years.  I own Pimsleurs 1& 2,  Rosetta Stone 1 & 2,  Barron's Russian,  Fast and Easy Russian,  Language now versions 3, 4 5 & 8, & I think I am missing one or two.   After all that effort, I could not say hello to someone.    It is not always all that easy.

Another factor is that if they want to do it right and have a teacher it can run a big part of their income.    I have heard prices as high as $ 150 a month, ok, I have paid prices as high as $ 150 a month for gals I got nowhere with.  Humm maybe that is why I can't learn Russian, I am dumb.  I knew there was a good reason.

In Larisa's second email, she told me that with her schedule,
she did NOT have the time for proper English lessons. It was not
possible for her.
Now she says she wants to 'learn English, cook like an American,
and think like an American, to interact well with my family'.
I'll eventually ask her if she wants to be a CEO and learn all about
Competitive Strategies.     Ha.   -doug L.

BTW,  -another one bites the dust: My friend, Clinton, married
his Russian bride, Oksana, a week ago, Sunday, Valentine's Day, here in Phoenix.
I was there, took some photos.
She had arrived a week earlier on a K-1, and he asked her what she
wanted for Valentine's Day. She said, 'A wedding!'
He wasn't looking for a RW. Their paths crossed when she
worked one summer at Zion Park, as the restaurant hostess.
He would come in every week with his tour group. He's a
tour guide. After that summer, he went to her home in Kazan, Russia twice.
The whole process took him about a year and a half.
Initially she had fair English skills and now is quite fluent.
Needless to say, she will be doing translating for me here
in Phoenix, and if things work out, she'll be a valuable
friend for Larisa or whoever I end up with.

[Bruno]

[line]
Now she says she wants to 'learn English, cook like an American,
and think like an American
[line]


Doug, stop her before it is too late... for learn English, no problem... for cook, russian have some speciality who are very good... don't alow her to use the microwave and make hamburger... think like an American ... do you wish a AW of a RW ? Why go so far for find a woman who wish think like american woman... you have a lot around you !!!! 

[Elen]

In Larisa's second email, she told me that with her schedule,
she did NOT have the time for proper English lessons. It was not
possible for her.

Didn't she say also what pricely is that she's such busy with?:? 

Woder what did she study at school?

Btw didn't she ask you for money for personal English tutor yet?

 

[Photo Guy]

Bruno,
Yes, I must stop her from becoming an AW!!!!!!

[Photo Guy]

In Larisa's second email, she told me that with her schedule,
she did NOT have the time for proper English lessons. It was not
possible for her.

Didn't she say also what pricely is that she's such busy with?:?
Woder what did she study at school?
Btw didn't she ask you for money for personal English tutor yet?
[/quote]
Elen,
No, since the emails began ten weeks ago, she has NEVER
asked me for money for anything. She studied nursing.
She works as a fingernail stylist/manicurist/beautician.  -doug L.

[Elen]

Always thought that "studing nursing" included learning English(or German) as well.:? May be things are different now in Ukraine

She works as a fingernail stylist/manicurist/beautician. -doug L.

Well it's more useful profession for russian woman in America than those you can get after graduating an University 

Anyway let's persist -force- make-whatever- you- can-do her to begin learn English. At least it's a matter of respect to yours relationship. And don't worry if she wants to do to that she will do find time, money and all Cds for that (English is not Chinas language after all)

Now she says she wants to 'learn English, cook like an American, and think like an American

( Sceptical smirk:? For me it sounds more like flattery than like "plan for action" ) Though don't pay attention to what females tell about each others:D)

[Elen]

For those guys who are brave enough to say something at Russian:D

That is Pushkin - the most faimouse Russian poet - just a "model" for others (the cut variation of the poem)
             

PRIZNANIE                           Declaration of Love                        
 
Ya vas lyublyu, -- hot' ya beshus',     I love you - though I'm mad about that  
Hot' eto trud i styd naprasnyi,            Althoug it's vasted labour and shame
I v etoi gluposti neschastnoi               And I'm confessing about this miserable folly 
U vashih nog ya priznayus'!               at your feets

Mne ne k litsu i ne po letam...           It's out of my image and out of my ages
Pora, pora mne byt' umnei!               It's time for me to become wiser
No uznayu po vsem primetam           But all signs inform me about
Bolezn' lyubvi v dushe moei:              Illness od love in my soul


Alina*! szhal'tes' nado mnoyu.            Alina*! Let's take pity about me
* - the name of girl
Ne smeyu trebovat' lyubvi.                I'm not dare to ask for your love
Byt' mozhet, za grehi moi,                 May be, my angel I don't deserve
Moi angel, ya lyubvi ne stoyu!          A love at all about of my sins

 No pritvorites'! Etot vzglyad           But let's pretend! This look
Vsyo mozhet vyrazit' tak chudno!    Can express anything such perfect!
Ah, obmanut' menya ne trudno!..     Ah! It's not such hard to fool me!
Ya sam obmanyvat'sya rad!             As I'm meself glad to be fooled !:D


Признание

Я Вас люблю, -  хоть я бешусь,      
Хоть это труд и стыд напрасный,
И в этой глупости несчастной
У ваших ног я признаюсь!

Мне не к лицу и не по летам...
Пора, пора мне быть умней!
Но узнаю по всем приметам
Болезнь любви в душе моей:
.
Алина! сжальтесь надо мною.
Не смею требовать любви.
Быть может, за грехи мои,
Мой ангел, я любви не стою!

Но притворитесь! Этот взгляд
Всё может выразить так чудно!
Ах, обмануть меня не трудно!..
Я сам обманываться рад!

[Bruno]

And for these who wish say "good-bye" to a ladies without hurt her to much  ( from Alexander Puskin ) :

[align=left]Я вас любил: любовь еще, быть может,
В душе моей угасла не совсем;
Но пусть она вас больше не тревожит;
Я не хочу печалить вас ничем.
Я вас любил безмолвно, безнадежно,
То робостью, то ревностью томим;
Я вас любил так искренно, так нежно,
Как дай вам бог любимой быть другим.[/align]
[align=left]I have loved you; even now I may confess,
Some embers of my love their fire retain
but do not let it cause you more distress,
I do not want to sadden you again.
Hopeless and tonguetied, yet, I loved you dearly
With pangs the jealous and the timid know;
So tenderly I loved you- so sincerely;
I pray God grant another love you so.[/align]

[Elen]

No, Bruno:D 

This poem is for the case when it's girl who says "Good bye" to you and you just want to "save a face" in such situation for not show her how it hurts you:?

[Bruno]

Elana, it was not serious, it was only good writen... i like a lot poetry from Puskin but...

When i have send some poetry of Puskin about beauty of woman to Galina, i was surprise of his reply :

"Many people talked about beauty very much before us. Everybody understands that it's fleeting that it attracts much attention and admiration, but not always it attracts happiness. Russian writer A.S. Pushkin, you sent me his poetry on my e-mail, evaluated women's beauty. They were his muses, inspiration but the majority of his heroines were unhappy in love and stayed alone in old age when their beauty disappeared. Really the problem of our century is that nobody is interested in inner person's beauty."

But it is so reply who make i love her...

[Elen]

Ah yes and the said Pushkin wrote so beautiful poems to a huge number of his muses being married to a beautiful woman himself. But he rushed for a duel at the first glance at his wife from Dantes:? and was killed, made his young wife a widow with 4 children and no money:X.

But poems are really perfect

I bought a "Language Assistant (AT-0750)" in Russia for 900 rubles ($30). I don't know who makes it, from overuse, fingerprint grease has rubbed off the name on the back. It claims to have a 75,000 word vocabulary. It's very small, so it's convenient, and you can type in English or give it to your date, and she can type in Russian, and then press the "translate" button. It only does a word at a time (and about 100 phrases), but usually that's all you need to attain understanding.

I wrote an "English for Russians" software program about 12 years ago. You can see it at "fairbrothers.com," but I don't think the ordering page works nowadays. The program is old and very pixelated, but the audio is good (done by a native Muskovite). I originally wrote it for the Amiga (with Tschaikovsky music) computer and I gave up on improving the PC version because of Microsoft. It is an introductory program (about 800 words). If you want it, free, let me know, I can download it or mail it to you.  

BTW2, Does anyone know of a "Russian immersion" course in DC or NYC? I know of a church that has one, but I don't want to be a missionary!

[Bruno]

[line]
BTW2, Does anyone know of a "Russian immersion" course in DC or NYC? I know of a church that has one, but I don't want to be a missionary!
[line]


I don't wish to be missionary too but the orthodox church in Belgium was a great help for me... Let's me explain ... i go to the office for the last 5 minute ( orthodox office in church are very long, around 2 hours... and always stand up, without chair... ).

After the office, almost everybody go to a big room for drink coffee, eat cake, and speak... this allow me to make a lot of Russian friend, both man and woman... this allow me to know more about the culture of language...

The only problem is that i can speak a little russian but i cannot read it of write it... but i hve no problem during a stay in russia, i can ask my way, make some basic speaking, use metro and bus, command eat in restaurant, ask some drink in cafe,... it is only friendship, no need to be missionary...

[Elen]

I use electronic dictionary ABBY Lingva 7.0 ( version 7.0 I like better than 9.0 one wich includes one more 4 languages besides English) Very good product.

Also when I lazy to translate big enough texts I use a programm X-translator. It works very good and fast (though you have to know english grammer to understand "the result" )

Both Cds were bought at pirate market for 100 rub each

As for books there are a lot of them now but classic English course written by Natalia Bonk (Наталья Бонк) is still the best.

I love ABBY Lingva 7.0. It can translate anything. I use the Prompt software for longer text (for example, my Russian 102 homework assignment:)). I paid 60 Ruble at the "electronic market." I have X-translator, but I can't get it to work. It wants the password.

But on the date, I take the Language Assistant, because it's the size of a calculator. Also, it's a good ice-breaker, but if you need an ice-breaker, it's probably not a good sign...

[Elen]

Promt  works much more slowly than X-translator.

And actually I wonder at a "brave" of your girls. How is it possible to start such "avanture" like "foriegn groom" knowning nothing at English:??

My mistake. Prompt IS X-translator, or the same company makes them. The big version with all the bells and whistles does seem a mite slow compared to the X-translator.

I agree, I don't like date without translator. But some of the translators were pretty bad. I started to think, why bother, if they do such a bad job?

  My girl first showed up with her friend who speaks great English, so we were okay, until her friend had to leave town. After that we struggled on with my Russian. She is probably going to learn English when she gets here, but I also want to keep learning Russian. I don't think it's selfish for me to also want to learn Russian, while she is learning English.

I think it shows a sign of initiative, a person who isn't afraid of the unknown, who wants to attain goals despite obstacles, for that person to strike out, not knowing English, to try to communicate. I know she is running my e-mail through Prompt, same as I am doing hers. When we are together, it will only be a few months before we are both fluent in the others' languages.  

I have been studying Russian for about 3000 years. I own Pimsleurs 1& 2, Rosetta Stone 1 & 2, Barron's Russian, Fast and Easy Russian, Language now versions 3, 4 5 & 8, & I think I am missing one or two.  After all that effort, I could not say hello to someone.   It is not always all that easy.

Me, too. Ditto, it doesn't seem to help that much. But, subliminally, I think it does. Just remember that all that vocabulary is being stored somewhere in your brain, and it can't be erased or lost. It will all "click in" someday. Do you vocalize the phrases as you listen? Even that helps, (if a driver talking to himself scares the other drivers away, then you have more room on the highway for yourself.)

In January, I started two courses in adult night school and at the comm. college. This is much better, because you have to do homework, cram for tests, you get feedback, and you speak to others.

[Elen]

I think it shows a sign of initiative, a person who isn't afraid of the unknown, who wants to attain goals despite obstacles, for that person to strike out, not knowing English, to try to communicate.

Now, if you are sure for 100% with a goal she tries attain such badly.......

Let's find in your ABBY the translation

двигаться целеустремленно к цели

и

переть напролом к цели

and see a differenсe

 

 

Хоть головой об стену бейся.

It's been my experience that if I just keep banging my head against the кирпичную стену, sooner or later the wall will topple.

[Elen]

Good luck for you Fairbro and for your iron forehead:D

Russian is not such easy to learn like English. I have not idea how you are going to understand 6 cases in Russian language (subjective case-genitive  - dative  -accusative  - instrumental  -prepositional:P:P:P)

[Bruno]

Elena, you can be happy that English is a easy languages... it is not without reason it is become the first language of the world... sorry, second after chinese...

And about complex language, ask a little to your daughter about the grammatic from the french language... this is a sh*t language to learn... you almost never write what you say, some word have more that 5 signification in function of context, some gramatic is for only speak , other only for write... for each grammatic rule, we have a lot of exception...

Try to understand the 12 case the more used in French ( indicatif présent, indicatif passé compossé, indicatif futur simple, indicatif imparfait, indicatif passé simple, consitionel présent, subjonctif present, subjonctif passé, subjonctif imparfait, imperatif présent, participe présent, participe passé )... and if you wish all, the total of case are 19...

Long life to simple language like English...

 

[Admin]

[user=134]Photo Guy[/user] wrote:

She can't speak English.   !!!
Everything else is great so far, but I've been surfing
the net for a course on CD for her to learn English.
There are plenty of 'Learn Russian' materials, but
what is there for vice versa?

I may send her the course
I have for learning Russian phrases, on CD. On that
CD you hear a guy say 'Good morning' and then
a woman says 'Dobray Utre' twice. That may be good
enough to get her started. ...Any advice?  -doug

Doug,

Here is a good one -- http://www.esl.net/pimsleur_esl.html.

- Dan

[Turboguy]

Pimsleur courses are pretty good.  I have two of them.  Russian I and II.  Can't say I learned much but that is me not the course.   If she is still there she could probably get great selections of English courses for next to nothing at some of the stands in the underpasses.   Learning english is popular there and there are some great bargains.

[Vaughn]

Doug,

 Dan is correct - Pimsleur is excellent. Another
good resource is Ilona Davidova's Express Method,
which includes a booklet and a barrage of cassettes.
My wife was able to find a copy in Russia for 300
rubles, and it's an excellent study guide. VERY
difficult to obtain stateside, but over in the FSU
it's available if she digs hard enough.

[Elen]

Ilona Davidova's Express Method,

full rubbish (let ask any English teacher here)   It's nothing except good PR action, THAT's why now you have to dig hard to find Ilona HERE:P:P. We buried her very deeply:D


Как научить Вашего попугая разговаривать по методу Илоны Давыдовой (pick up from http://www.kulichki.com/prikol/prlitera/konkurs/popugai.html)
 
 1. Установите клетку с попугаем на разделочном столе так, чтобы в поле зрения обучаемой птицы попали тушка курицы, сверкающий нож и раскаленная сковородка.
2. Не обращая внимания на попугая, задушевно обратитесь к курице: "Что-то ты в последнее время совсем плохая стала, все молчишь и молчишь", после чего сразу начинайте быструю разделку тушки, как можно выше занося нож и хекая при каждом ударе.

3. Попугая, потерявшего сознание, лучше всего сбрызнуть десятипроцентным раствором уксуса, посыпать его перцем и бросить в клетку лавровый листок. Еще лучше, если попугай, очнувшись, обнаружит себя политым "Анклом Бэнсом".

4. Когда попугай вторично придет в сознание, следует ласково сказать ему: "Яша у нас хоррроший! Яша у нас не упрррямый! Яша у нас - талант!",
при этом ваша рука должна небрежно лежать на клетке, а лезвие ножа проходить между ее прутьев.
5. После этого на кухне должен появиться ваш супруг и разыграть с вами следующую сценку:
Супруг (потряхивая кулинарной книгой): А что? Попугай еще не готов?
Вы: Милый, сегодня у нас на обед курица.
Супруг (открывая кулинарную книгу на разделе "Экзотические блюда"): А когда же попугай будет готов?
Вы: Что значит - готов?
Супруг (касаясь кривыми зубьями вилки тщедушного тела попугая): Ну, готов произнести свое первое слово?
Тут-то ваша сценка и будет прервана голосом из клетки, который, волнуясь, скажет: "Всегда готов!"

Таким образом, ваш попугай заговорил. Если же он все-таки не заговорил, то дальнейшая методика обучения изложена в книге Илоны Давыдовой "Экзотические блюда: экспресс-метод" (М., изд-во "Прогресс", 1995 г.)

Was that the same Ilona who was later trampled to death trying to teach a herd of elephants Russian grammar?

The parrot got through noun endings for genitive case, but then went beserk trying to understand when to say Что-то and when to say что-нибудь.

[Vaughn]

Elen wrote: "full rubbish (let ask any English teacher here)"

OK, Elen, you win. THere are a dozen ladies I know here who listen to the lessons on their Walkmans, and I've noticed a big improvement. Full rubbish? With all due respect, their collective ability in English grammar rivals your own - and its widely used here as a supplement to ESL classes - what's your take on those?

Vaughn

 

 

[Elen]

My dear I stadied English more than 20 years ago  (though it was special English secondary school) After graduated I didn't use English at all (except the course in technical University. But it was only "technical" translation with it's own "grammar" and "vocabulary":?) And if I be THERE I'd beat that "dozen" of yours in one month:P

Ok! If Ilona is such good for your lades then good luck for them. I just wanted to say you that HERE her name became a "common noun"  for a situation in which people tried to get a "perfect" result with minumum efforts.

( I remeber students from language Universities even organised a "public" execution of Ilona and hung up her "scarecrow":P)

[Vaughn]

My dear I stadied English more than 20 years ago

И моя дорогая, I studied Russian about 33 years ago...Слова, которые вы пишете, сверкают в моей памяти как солнечные лучи, но я знаю где раки зимуют. Ваша проблема - высокомерие!

And if I be THERE I'd beat that "dozen" of yours in one month

Elen, I don't doubt that for a minute. With the traditional and intensive training I've had in your language, I also would knock the socks off anyone who took a Rapid-Style learn-it-quick Russian course. You and I both have the advantage of formal education in language - but my point is: there IS a place for courses like Davidova, particularly when someone with little or no language training emigrates, east or west, it doesn't matter - and they require some quick basics on which to build. The course has its place and value - and I never implied it was superior, or even close to a valid replacement for that which you and I know to be superior - a formal regimen of courses. The truth is, not everyone has that luxury of time nor opportunity; hence, we have Phrase Books, mini-dictionaries, Primsleur, and Davidova.
Of course, the ultimate teacher is the person on the street - there's no substitute for learning language at the local level, vs. textbooks, tapes and so forth.

[Elen]

И моя дорогая, I studied Russian about 33 years ago

[/font]( I hope you didn't use method a-la Ilona)

[/size][/font]

Слова, которые вы пишете, сверкают в моей памяти как солнечные лучи,

 
Wonder:? may I tell you such "fine words" are not used in Russian language or it would be too arrogant act of me ?

но я знаю где раки зимуют.

 Ok I can't help that. I just have to say something :D:D (for your own sake)

Word combination где раки зимуют is used only with the word show (показать) but not with the word know (знаю) . And saying показать кому-то, где раки зимуют means a promise to harm that "somebody" who you address that "promise" to  So if you already knew где раки зимуют then obviously somebody have "shown" you  that (Don't say it was I )

You should say to me Я знаю, откуда ветер дует (или ...откуда ноги растут)

Any way my advice(friendly one. without any kidding)  for you (all of you)

Don't use sayings and proverbs in Russian without BIG need. You will have enough troubles with Russian grammar without proverbs. Even if you do it right, it looks not "good" just because we don't use them such often in day-to-day conversations 

Ваша проблема - высокомерие!

Вот уж нет!:D  Моё высокомерие это - Ваша проблема :P
 I'm fine with that:P


As for Rapid-Style learn-it-quick language courses.

To my arrogant mind they may take place only in the case with tourists who come to foreign country for one month. But those who are going to immigrate just must use something more "serious". And yes my arrogant mind refuses to understand women who rush to the West without any foreign language after couples letters written by interpreter.

 

[Vaughn]

So basically you disapprove of the whole process that must here are going through, or have gone through, and I respect your opinion. As for "I know where the crabs hibernate" (which, according to the Russian-English Oxford dictionary means, in rough context, "I wasn't born yesterday") I assume that you are more correct than my 30-year old dictionary, which, I admit, is no longer contemporary. Regardless, thanks for the little lesson - I do enjoy all pointers from native speakers...

Thanks again,  Vaughn

 

[Elen]

I'm at your service any time:D

Actually you are not the only one with Russian sayings here. It always funny to hear how EuroNews at our TV uses them:D:D