Russian 1 for Adults

This introductory course for adults will teach beginners how to effectively communicate in modern Russian. The class is creatively tailored to move systematically through the building blocks of Russian by a combination of  active, “real-life” conversation between everyone in the class, reading, writing, and a bit of explicit grammatical explanation. 

We will attempt from the very beginning to use as much Russian as possible. In-class repetition and exploration of new concepts will engage the senses and make learning a more natural process. Practical Russian conversation, art as visual aids, reading simple stories, music, poetry, liturgically appropriate prayers, Russian foods, and the potential appearance of special guests will bring the language to life for learners. Optional written homework will be provided after each lesson to reinforce new material. 

In the course, we will learn how to:

• Read, write, and pronounce the Russian alphabet
• Carry on basic conversations in formal and informal settings
• Memorize and understand basic Russian vocabulary 
• Understand and conjugate some basic Russian verbs
• Distinguish between grammatical cases and tenses and use the proper endings
• Appreciate aspects of Russian culture and history that are embedded in the language, especially those related to Russian Orthodox tradition.

• Computer: You will need a stable, reliable computer, running with a processor with a speed of 1 GHz or better on one of the following operating systems: Mac OS X with Mac OS 10.7 or later; Windows 8, 7, Vista (with SP1 or later), or XP (with SP3 or later). We do not recommend using an iPad or other tablet for joining classes. An inexpensive laptop or netbook would be much better solutions, as they enable you to plug an Ethernet cable directly into your computer. Please note that Chromebooks are allowed but not preferred, as they do not support certain features of the Zoom video conference software such as breakout sessions and annotation, which may be used by our teachers for class activities.
• High-Speed Internet Connection: You will also need access to high-speed Internet, preferably accessible via Ethernet cable right into your computer. Using Wi-Fi may work, but will not guarantee you the optimal use of your bandwidth. The faster your Internet, the better. We recommend using a connection with a download/upload speed of 5/1 Mbps or better. You can test your Internet connection here.
• Webcam: You may use an external webcam or one that is built in to the computer. Webcam Recommendations: Good (PC only) | Best (Mac and PC)
• Headset: We recommend using a headset rather than a built-in microphone and speakers. Using a headset reduces the level of background noise heard by the entire class. Headset Recommendations: USB | 3.5mm
• Zoom: We use a web conferencing software called Zoom for our classes, which enables students and teachers to gather from around the globe face to face in real time. Zoom is free to download and easy to use. To download Zoom:
  1. Visit zoom.us/download.
  2. Click to download the first option listed, Zoom Client for Meetings.
  3. Open and run the installer on your computer.
  4. In August, students will be provided with instructions and a link for joining their particular class.
• Scanner: In this class, students frequently submit homework assignments by scanning pages from their workbooks. Students and/or their parents should have easy access to a scanner and the ability to use it.