Useful articles

Good day, all the people!

We are glad to inform you about adding new functional for local language exchange in your city. Practice your second language by meeting up with native speakers living in your area!

To participate you must log in to pen4pals.com and fill out field "City for locale meeting" in your profile (your city will see ONLY pen4pals' members). 

After that you may click at menu entry "LOCAL" and after 5 min your location will appear (reload page, please) at our local language exchange map where you can choose (clicking to marker) your language exchange partner in your place.

В последнее время в средней полосе России лето не не балует жителей: то ураганный ветер, то тропический дождь, то температура воздуха опустится словно на дворе не июнь, а самый настоящий октябрь.

These days in Central Russia the summer does not make people happy: either a hurricane-force wind is, or it's raining hard, or the temperature drops as if it was not June, but real October;)

В такую погоду хороший хозяин собаку на улицу не выпустит.

In this cold weather, a good master won"t let his dog out.

Дождь льёт как из ведра.

It"s raining cats and dogs.

Разверзлись хляби небесные.

The cataracts of heaven are opened up.

Эти выражения мы понимаем и используем буквально

We understand and use these expressions literally

Такой мороз сегодня! В такую погоду хороший хозяин собаку на улицу не выпустит.

It"s so cold today! A good master won"t let his dog out.

Ну и погодка! Дождь льёт как из ведра уже третий день.

What a terrible day! It"s raining cats and dogs for the third day.

17 июня разверзлись хляби небесные и начались ливневые дожди.

17 June the cataracts of heaven are opened up and a heavy rain started.

А что вы скажете об этих выражениях? 

What can you say about these expressions?

Вдруг , как гром среди ясного неба, пришло твоё письмо.

Suddenly, like a bolt from the blue, I received your letter.

Зачем искать прошлогодний снег? Прошлое надо оставлять позади.

What for are you looking for the last year's snow? The past should be left behind.

Ты потерял 10 лет, ожидая у моря погоды.

You lost 10 years letting the grass grow under your feet.

Смена работы не сделает погоды.

Job changing will not make the difference.

Коллега пришёл на работу чернее тучи.

A colleague came to work as dark as a thundercloud.

После ужина отец метал громы и молнии.

After dinner, the father was hurling a thunderbolt.

Будь осторожна. Ты должна держать нос по ветру.

Be careful. You have to see which way the cat jumps.

Он позвонит. Когда? После дождичка в четверг!

He will call. When? When hell freezes over.

Со своим мужем я живу как вулкане.

I sit on a powder keg with my husband.

Перестань витать в облаках! Жизнь – серьезная штука.

Stop having your head in the clouds. Life is a serious thing.

Не надо делать из ерунды бурю в стакане воды.

You don’t need to make a storm in a teacup.

В доме моего друга сейчас затишье перед бурей.

There is calm before storm in my friend’s house.

Он знал, что тучи сгустились над его головой, и что его ждут проблемы.

He knew that clouds gathered and he would have problems.

Вчера я бы сообщила, куда он убежал. Теперь ищи ветра в поле!

Yesterday I would tell you his way back. Now you will catch the wind in a net.

Услышав новость, он стоял как громом пораженный.

When he heard the news he got thunderstruck.

Ураган страстей обрушился на них обоих.

A whirlwind of passion came on both of them.

Давай сломаем лёд в наших отношениях.

Let’s break the ice in our relations.

Будь сторожен. Что-то витает в воздухе.

Be careful. There’s something in the wind.

А какие идиоматические выражение, связанные с погодой, знаете вы? Какие есть в вашем родном языке?

Which idiom related to the weather, do you know? What idioms are in your native language?

Кстати, в английском языке есть идиомы, которые не имеют аналогов в русскомя языке или имеют совсем другое значение.

By the way there are idioms in English which don’t have analogs in Russian or they have the different meaning at all.

Under the weather – быть не совсем здоровым

I was feeling a little under the weather today. Сегодня я чувствовал себя не совсем здоровым.

Fair-weather friend - ненадежный друг, друг на то время, когда ему удобно

I don’t like him. He is a fair-weather friend. Я не люблю его. Он появляется только, когда надо ему.

Come rain or shine – при любой погоде, во что бы то ни было

I will be with you come rain or shine. Я буду с тобой во что бы то ни было.

Take a rain check – пообещать прийти в другой раз

Today I’m busy but I take a rain check. Сегодня я занята, но я приду в другой раз.

Spring clean – генеральная уборка

Let’s do a spring clean today. Давай сделаем сегодня генеральную уборку.

As right as rain - в полном порядке, здоровый

She had a surgery three weeks ago but she’s as right as rain now. Три недели назад у нее была операция, но сейчас она в полном порядке.

Как вы можете видеть, существует большое разнообразие идиом о погоде в русском и английском языках. Некоторые из них имеют аналоги в другом языке, некоторые – не имеют.

As you can see there is a variety of weather idioms in both Russian and English languages. Some of them have analogs in the other language, some – don’t.

Используйте их правильно. Попутного ветра вам в изучении русского языка!

Use them correctly. Have a favorable wind in your Russian learning!

If you like my post and you’re not going to let the grass grow under your feet feel free to learn with us and break the ice of misunderstanding in Russian;)

Maria Dubovitskaya

http://courses.fluentinrussian.com

http://facebook.com/fluentinrussian

The third part of the pictures for easy learning Russian grammar in fun way.

<<--Part 2.

Деепричастия Verbal Adverb (Gerund)

Глаголы движения Verbs of motion RUN

Verbs of motion with prefixes

Verbs of motion other meanings

Глаголы движения в переносном значении Verbs of motion: other meanings

Always plural Russian nouns

Когда When

The second part of the pictures for easy learning Russian grammar in fun way.

<<--Part 1.

Russian imperative: request, advice, command

Russian reflective verbs

Себя, свой

Short forms of adjectives

Subject numerals nouns verb

Вид глагола The Verb Aspect Modals+Infinitive

Part 3. -->>

Want, Can - Хотеть, Мочь

Paint, Make up - Красить, краситься

Лететь, Лечить - Fly, Treat

Ловить, Поймать - Catch, Catch

Отдыхать, работать - Rest, work

Помогать, Спасать - Help, Rescue 

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Regularly updated article for new pictures about Russian grammar. Many useful pictures for easy understanding Russian grammar.

Adjectives full form vs short form

Adjectives - Прилагательные Simple Comparative Простая сравнительная степень

Adverb - Наречие +

Irregular Verbs Aspects Formation

Nouns, Prepositional case, Masculine

Prepositions, Предлоги: ЗА + ...

Russian Grammar in Pictures. Part 2.->>>

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The list of the best Russian language audio lessons for learning Russian. Listeners learn pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar of a new language without the need of a textbook. Convenient to use while driving, working out... or anywhere!

• The audio language-learning programs provides comprehensive grammar and vocabulary to beginners and advanced students, offering guidance in pronunciation in addition to language fundamentals.
• Listeners learn pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar of a new language without the need of a textbook.
• You learnt your own language naturally and enjoyably: now you can learn Russian in the same way.
• The Russian audio courses helps you pick up the Russian language naturally, at your own pace.
• It teaches you Russian through your own language, building it up, step by step in ‘real-time’ conditions.
• This method works with your brain, helping you to build up your Russian in manageable, enjoyable steps by thinking out the answers for yourself.
• You learn through listening and speaking - without the pressure of writing or memorising.
• You pick up the language naturally and unforgettably. Go from absolute beginner to confident speaker—without books, homework or memorizing. 
• The Russian audio lessons helps you pick up the Russian language naturally, at your own pace. It teaches you Russian through your own language, building it up, step by step in ‘real-time’ conditions.

1. Thomas R. Beyer - Pronounce It Perfectly in Russian

“Pronounce It Perfectly in Russian” is a handy, comprehensive audio course that will enable you to pronounce Russian as it is spoken on the streets of Moscow today.

This program can be used by:

• Those who wish to learn Russian by themselves. This course provides plenty of practice to help beginning students master the basics of Russian.
• Those who know some Russian and want to improve their oral skills in pronunciation and intonation.
• Those who need more training in, and practice with the Russian sound system and long for a comprehensive and systematic explanation of Russian sound system.

This program is designed to correct pronunciation deficiency. It covers basics of the Russian phonetic system, vowels, consonants, and palatalization.

Download free  or buy newest version at Amazon:

2. Pimsleur P. - Pimsleur Conversational Dialogs

Pimsleur Conversational Dialogs includes Lessons 1-16 from the Russian Level 1 program - 8 hours of audio-only effective language learning with real-life spoken practice sessions.

Each lesson provides 30 minutes of spoken language practice, with an introductory conversation, and new vocabulary and structures.

Detailed instructions enable you to understand and participate in the conversation. Practice for vocabulary introduced in previous lessons is included in each lesson.

Topics include: greetings, numbers, meals, shopping, telling time, scheduling activities, and asking and giving directions. The emphasis is on pronunciation and comprehension, and on learning to speak Russian.

Pimsleur Approach [QUICK VIDEO REVIEW]

Download free or buy newest version at Amazon:

3. Michel Thomas: Russian Vocabulary Course

When it comes to learning Russian it doesn’t get easier than the Michel Thomas Method. The Michel Thomas method eases you into the Russian language by breaking it into its component parts. You will then be able to easily form your own sentences to say what you want in Russian!

The native-speaker teacher instructs two students in the recording studio in real time and the student at home becomes the third member of the class. Learning vocabulary is notoriously difficult if attempted in the traditional way - with long lists and hours of memorisation.

However, with the Michel Thomas Method, new words and phrases are presented in such a way that they cannot be forgotten. They are interwoven with what has gone before so they are imprinted in your knowledge bank for ever. The vocabulary in the courses is carefully chosen from a relatively small number of 'power words' which open up an amazing range of expression and comprehension.

Building and expanding on the language structures taught in the Foundation and Advanced Courses, these new Vocabulary Courses give you all you need to enjoy travelling in the Russian-speaking world, be it for business or pleasure.

Michel Thomas vs Pimsleur Review: How I learn languages [QUICK VIDEO REVIEW]

Download free or buy newest version at Amazon:

4. Learn in Your Car Russian: The Complete Language Course

  The Learn in Your Car series treats you like a child-in the best possible way-starting with one-word phrases ("please," "good-by"), counting exercises, and simple nouns. 9 hours of audio.

Three Levels of Study:

• Level 1: Key words and phrases, basic grammar skills, emphasizes travel needs
• Level 2: Expands vocabulary, new grammar concepts, more day-to-day activities
• Level 3: Broadens vocabulary base, more advanced grammar skills, enriches conversational ability.

Download free or buy newest version at Amazon:

5. Teach Yourself Russian

A Teach Yourself Guide provides you with a clear and comprehensive approach to Russian, so you can progress quickly from the basics to understanding, speaking, and writing Russian with confidence.

Within each of the 20 thematic chapters, important language structures are introduced through life-like dialogues.You'll learn grammar in a gradual manner so you won't be overwhelmed by this tricky subject.

Exercises accompany the texts and reinforce learning in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. This program also features current cultural information boxes that reflect recent changes in society.

The accompanying audio CDs include audio exercises--performed by native speakers--that reinforce communicative skills.

Teach yourself RUSSIAN [QUICK VIDEO REVIEW]

Download free or buy newest version at Amazon:

6. Berlitz Guides - Berlitz Russian Phrase Book

The Berlitz Phrase Book course completely redesigned for greater ease of use, this new Russian phrase book opens with an essentials section, offering the most basic vocabulary for each unit and serving as a quick point of reference. Includes over 1,200 phrases and over 2,300 words. Maps and index.About the AuthorIn January 2003, the renowned Berlitz Publishing became part of the Langen-scheidt Group. The Langenscheidt Publishing Group, the premier group of map and travel companies, offers over 4,000 North American and international street maps, road maps, atlases, language-learning, bilingual dictionaries, and travel-related products covering countries, cities, and languages in every continent.

Berlitz Phrase Books provide:

• A new "essentials" section, offering the most basic vocabulary for quick reference.
• Expanded cultural tips, including sites to visit, places to dine, and faux pas to avoid.
• Easier-to-read single columns.
• Contemporary icons and illustrations.
• Up-to-date language to reflect the changes in banking, entertainment, media, and technology.
• Over 1,200 useful phrases and over 2,300 words.
• A unique color-coding system.
• An easy-to-read pronunciation guide.
• A dictionary with more than 3,500 words to fit any situation.
• A manageable, portable size.

Download free or buy newest version at Amazon:

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The incredible list of the best and free software for learning Russian more effectively.

1. Rosetta Stone v3 - Russian Русский Level 1-3

Rosetta Stone Russian include:

2. Professor Higgins. Russian without accent!

«Professor Higgins. Russian without accent!» – is a full phonetic and lexical multi-media reference training source based on comparison your own pronunciation with the sample not only orally, but also visually, by graphic on the screen of the monitor that is possible thanks to the original technologies of extraction and recognition of sound parts of word’s phonem.

The programme is made up on the principle “from simple to difficult” (sounds, words, phrases, audiotraining, dictation, tematic dialogues, proverbs, tongue-twisters, verses and stories), has theoretical materials (rules, schemes, explaining examples), dictionaries (general dictionary and dictionary of homonymes) and the user’s manual.

3. Let's learn Russian

Let's Learn Russian  includes over 500 words that will have you speaking with confidence in no-time.

Features:

• Record, playback and compare your speech with Advanced Pronunciation Analysis.
• The SlowSound function allows you to control playback and hear every spoken nuance.
• Contains full native speaker sound with conversation practice.
• Dictation, pronunciation and drill 'n' practice, games are included to test and reinforce the lessons taught in the program.
• Monitor your progress on individual words or lists. You can create and customise your own lists and words, and even print out word flash cards.
• Import and Export lists so you can share your lists among other Let's Learn Russian users.
• Multiple User support allows each user to create a unique learning profile.

4. Quickmind and Polar Lions Interactive - Crossword Junior

Crossword Junior – training program for primary school children, uchaschaya their alphabet and spelling of words in three languages ​​(English, and Spanish).
A student enters a letter with the mouse or keyboard.
 

Students can solve a crossword puzzle in various ways:

– Substitution of a puzzle (drag’n’drop) pictures for words that are already in the grid;
– Substitution of a puzzle (drag’n’drop) words for images that are already in the grid;
– Substitution of a puzzle (drag’n’drop) letters for words already in the grid;
– Typing letters in the puzzle for the words that are already in the grid.
 

Features:

* Display settings:

– Select a language. After changing the language of all text on the screen and you will be switched to the selected language, and a crossword puzzle will be presented in the language.
– Allow the tips (not available in the print mode from the keyboard).
– Allow printing. If you do not want a student accidentally pressed the print button, then select “no” to disable printing.
– The alphabet: a student can enter letters in the cells of crossword puzzle using the keyboard or mouse, the image on the screen of the alphabet can be in alphabetical order or keyboard.
 

* Game Mode: Printing. You may choose whether to include in the printout:

– Solving crossword.
– The name of the class student.
– Picture the background. Add a picture when printed, it will be chosen at random program.
 

* Mode lesson: the pupil are called letters and words needed to solve a crossword puzzle, and the cells are indicated for them. It teaches the use of the program and the target language.
* Volume Control: You can adjust the volume of the lesson and games.
* Color pictures, which are key to the crossword puzzle, “come alive” with the right word guessing.
* Each letter and word pronunciation in the target language.

5a. Easy language - 25 languages [CD1]

5b. Easy language - 25 languages [CD2]

With Easy Language 25, a few minutes a day is all it takes to learn and communicate with people from all around the world. From Arabic to Zulu, explore basic grammar as well as essential words and phrases. Hear pronunciation by native speakers. Add international character scripts, games, Internet links, and multimedia and you've got a world-class resource perfect for anyone interested in learning languages!
 

Features:

* World-class resource for anyone interested in learning languages
* Explore basic grammar as well as essential words and phrases
* 2,200 words and 350 phrases per language; 610-page printed dictionary
* Hear pronunciation by native speakers; add international character scripts
* Verb conjugation; interactive games; videos and photo tours
 

6. Transparent Language - Before You Know It

Transparent Language - Before You Know It - Whether for business, travel, school or personal enjoyment, you’ll quickly learn to understand and speak 1,000 common words and 250 essential phrases, in Russian language!

Also this articles may be interesting for you:

5 Best Sites for Free Watching Russian Movies Online with Russian Subtitles

7 Best Book for Learning Russian (free download, pdf, mp3)

6 Best Courses Russian Language Audio Lessons (free download, mp3)

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Russian writing of letters. The alphabet with pronunciation and handwritten.

Russian capital and small written letters

Russian cursive handwritten alphabet

Additional materials:

Video Russian cursive letters

Video Russian Handwriting

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