Long time lurker, first post, and a couple questions.

[The_Pale_Rider]

Greetings from Alberta, Canada.

I have been a long time lurker both here and on the old RWG forum as well. So for my first post, I have a question regarding the Centre of Russian Language and Culture at the Saint Petersburg State University. Anybody take one of their programs (learning to speak Russian)?? How was it?

I have been thinking more and more that if I truly am serious about finding that special lady from the FSU, that I should first at least should attempt to speak the language. I mean if the ladies take the time to learn English, why should I not learn to speak Russian. And what better place to learn to speak the language than in the country itself.

Thanks,

Mike

[ScottinCrimea]

Hi Mike and welcome.  I had actually thought of this option at one time and checked out several programs, mostly in Ukraine because that was where my now wife lived.  If you keep your options open you can find several great programs in just about any major city of the FSU, some more expensive and some less than the one you cited.  I think the best option, if it's something you can feel comfortable with, is to choose a city, arrange to rent an apartment and contract with an individual for one on one teaching.  It can be a little more than many can bite off, expecially if they don't know the FSU well or have at least a little Russian, or they don't know someone who can help them, but it certainly provides the immersion experience many desire.

[DKMM]

Unless you plan on living there or are already in love with someone that doesn't speak English its a waste of time and energy.  You can learn what you need to know for this endeavour by taking the pimsleur route or a level 1 class at your local college.

I studied for 3.5 years at the university level and while its helped in my travels it never really got me much in the way of understanding with my fiancee.  Better to focus your efforts on finding that special woman.

[Rvrwind]

Welcome Pale Rider...although that name gives me some pause...
From one Alberta boy to another, unless you are planning on living here, you need not learn more than the basics. I have lived here for 4+ years & believe me when I say it is a difficult language to learn. To learn more than what you need to get by is a waste. You will not remember it unless you speak it everyday anyway.
I have learned what I need to survive here & even as I learn more I forget it just as fast. Unless you can retain it much longer than me or you use it on a regular basis it will be forotten quickly.
Learn the basics & you will have all you need to get by here.
If your really intent on that route we have shools here in Tver that are a hell of a lot cheaper than those in SPB or Moscow & I can even set you up with private tutoring if that is your desire. But don't use it, you lose it, much as any language learning.
Good luck with your search.

[ScottinCrimea]

     I have to disagree to some point here.  The more Russian you know the better insight you have into your wife and all things Russian.  You also are able to interact with more people on a deeper level.  OTOH, if you don't plan to spend a significant time in the FSU, it is difficult to become fluent and maintain that fluency.

It is NEVER bad to learn another language.  Even if you only learn for the sake of learning, it adds something to your views and experience.  I don't agree thatit is quickly lost if not used regularly.  For example, I have not lived in an area where Spanish is spoken regularly for quite awhile, but when I get with someone who speaks it, it all comes back to me very quickly.

Rvrwind, maybe it's just that you are more prone to "use it or lose it" syndrome. 

[Rvrwind]

Rvrwind, maybe it's just that you are more prone to "use it or lose it" syndrome.

I don't think so. I've seen plenty of people who do not speak it for awhile & they lose it, even their mother tongue as you so noted. Yes you get it back quite quickly but that doesn't retract from the fact that you lost it in the first place.
I used to speak fluent German but having not used it in over 30 years I would be hard pressed to get it back. Russian is much more difficult to learn & even though there are some benefits to it I can still see it being lost quickly if not used. I try to learn one word everyday & I still end up losing what I learned last month if I don't use it. :noidea:
Maybe I got K.R.A.F.T. decease, as my mother calls it!!

[ScottinCrimea]

shoot, if I went thirty years wihout doing "ANYTHING' I think I would forget how. 

[Rvrwind]

shoot, if I went thirty years wihout doing "ANYTHING' I think I would forget how.

And therein lies the correlation of my hypothesis!! 

[Phil dAmore]

FWIW, I took private Russian lessons from one of the teachers who worked at CRLC @ SpSU.  She specializes in teaching Russian to foreigners.  I found the experience very useful, but by the time I got around to studying with her I had already been living here almost 5 years so it was more of a supplement to what I had learned previously as opposed to a beginning course.

It is a good program to be sure, but boy howdy are you ever going to pay for it.  In addition to the cost of the course itself you also have to factor in housing and that can be a VERY expensive proposition around these parts...

As posted above, you could learn just as much if not more by attending classes locally and using independent study material.  Also take advantage of online learning resources such as: http://www.learnrussianfree.com/vocabulary.aspx.  I spend a lot of time just flipping through the flash cards.  YMMV as everyone has thier own unique learning style.

[The_Pale_Rider]

Thanks for the replies guys. I appreciate it. Rvrwind, why does the handle give you pause, just a fellow gunslinger looking for some good advice and what not. And after reading through the whole 13 pages of the Big City / Small Town women thread, I can see that I may have my work cut out for me. Not that I'm a farmer or anything like that, the acreage is a nice convenient 10 minute drive to work at the nearby power plant. So how hard would be really be to possibly convince an fsu woman to reside in the country? I mean I love the city and all, but I much prefer wide open spaces, peace and quiet. And speaking of driving, do fsu women get a chance to do any driving of vehicles?

[Rvrwind]

LMAO

Thanks for the replies guys. I appreciate it. Rvrwind, why does the handle give you pause, just a fellow gunslinger looking for some good advice and what not.

It was mostly in jest, but when I read it a familiar phrase from the Bible came to mind. "I saw a pale horse & upon it was a pale rider & his name was Death!"
Just struck me odd at the time, not that I put much stock in religion mind you, but you might say I believe in a higher power than mere man.
I wouldn't put much stock in the big city small town bull. I would put more faith in the lady. If she truly loves you it don't matter one iota where you live, just ask my wife. If your honest up front & explain the situation most will accept it, the only ones I can see rejecting it out of hand are the disco boppers. Most RW love nature & the great outdoors. Unless she's a diehard big city Moscow girl or likes to play at the disco 3 days a week, I don't see it as a big problem at all.
Oh, & yes, there are plenty of women drivers here & they are just as  crazy as the men when they get behind the wheel!!!

[Jazzyclassy]

Welcome Rider Mike!

Russian language is for the ones who trully love languages and have the humanitarian talent, though anyone who has a desire and wish to learn can do it rather good. Better to learn languages when you are a child, if not my parents who took me to english school , I would not be able to have good level of english , though english is an easy language, not so easier than spanish but still

I think what can help you in learning russian is to watch russian dvds with english sub titles  , there are so many sites where you can learn basic words at least :

http://www.transparent.com/languagepages/russian/russian.htm

http://www.uni.edu/becker/Russian2.html

http://www.phrasebase.com/learn/russian.php

http://www.wordstutor.com/russian


Enjoy your study !