First Step to Learning Russian
I am not sure how cookies work on the internet because I have been recommended a ton of Russian content on Netflix and YouTube. While on the journey to gain footing in German and Mandarin, I have rekindled my desire to learn Russian. After finishing the exhilarating Netflix original series In From the Cold, I was at the point where I told myself, “yep, let me start learning Russian.” The first season is about a Russian spy turned mom from Jersey who has a special ability which came in handy to carry out assassinations. This thriller taking place in Madrid is filled with action, mystery, and heartbreak. What was really nice about language used in the show is that characters are native speakers in English, Spanish, or Russian and you will find Russian-Mandarin speakers in certain scenes as well!
I am happy to share that I have successfully learned how to read and pronounce words written in the Cyrillic alphabet. The resource that helped me achieve this amazing feat is a book called The New Penguin Russian Course: A Complete Course for Beginners.
After having read the first chapter, I can read words in Russian, although at an elementary level, but we have to start somewhere. I recommend this book if you are able to self-study because the chapters are organized so that you learn subjects in an order that is as effective as possible. How the first chapter helped me gain confidence is by going step by step about the alphabet and how it relates to the English language; something I am already familiar with. Then it has short exercises to practice and review common signs found in Russian. It took me maybe about an hour to an hour and a half to finish the first chapter, and I am excited about finishing the book to hopefully reach an A2 level. My goal is to have an intermediate level so that when I visit Russian speaking countries or people, I already have a strong foundation to build upon.
The next chapter is about handwriting and more about pronunciation, so I might be able to understand cursive Russian afterwards! My plan is to read one chapter a week while immersing myself in Russian content via videos or podcasts for about an hour a day. This plan currently fits my schedule as I am continuing to use Duolingo for German and to take iTalki courses for Mandarin, French, and Spanish. I hope you find a book or show that interests you in a language just as how In From the Cold did for me!