General Question

ninjacolin's avatar

What are the best tools (apps, learning programs, games) for Russians learning English vocabulary and pronunciation?

Asked by ninjacolin (14249points) July 21st, 2013

I have a Russian speaking friend who is learning English and he would like to learn to speak more clearly and to increase his vocabulary for business and social situations.

What are some of the best tools and methods that you or your Russian friends and family have used to master English communication?

This applies to both spoken and written skill sets.

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7 Answers

2davidc8's avatar

If he is already in an English-speaking country, I would say watch TV, especially news programs or PBS. That’s because in these programs people enunciate better, generally speak more slowly, use less slang, inside jokes, etc. Also, watch movies, but that is more difficult unless he can get movies subtitled in Russian to aid his understanding.
Online, he can try Linq or LiveMocha or Khan Academy. Do a Google search and go to their websites.
There’s software called Rosetta Stone, but this can get expensive.
He can go to the public library and likely will be able to borrow discs and booklets published by Pimsleur.

ninjacolin's avatar

Pimsleur is awesome, I know. I just wasn’t sure whether it’s mostly awesome for English people who want to learn other languages or vice versa.

2davidc8's avatar

I’m pretty sure Pimsleur has an English-learning module. I thought I saw one at my local library in the past.

Tachys's avatar

This is hard to answer because the learning program should match his fluency level. He can watch all the news programs he wants, but that won’t help him with conversation.
Examples: For the beginner: Sesame Street. Intermediate: Two and a half men. For the expert: 60 minutes or CSpan.

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