Complete Russian Beginner to Intermediate Course: (Book and audio support) (Teach Yourself)

The layout of this book is clear and user-friendly, and the explanations are straightforward and to the point. I have some notions of Russian, which I am trying to brush up on and improve, and I feel this has been the perfect choice, as it covers the four basic linguistic skills (reading, listening, speaking and writing) quite thoroughly. Audios are available online as well as offline, no problems there either. As a language teacher and a speaker of several languages, I must admit I feel a bit sceptical as to its claim to take the learner to a B2 level. That may be the case, but I believe the book would have to be supplemented with additional materials. However, I am certain that if you follow the method (which is meant for a variety of levels and abilities, in my opinion), you will end up speaking basic Russian quite confidently, which is my personal aim. I would also like to mention the excellent customer service provided by the seller, Book Depository, when my parcel was delayed for a few days (which was not their fault at all, might I add). I emailed them twice and they replied within a couple of hours on each occasion. Their attitude was helpful and friendly throughout. As the parcel arrived a few days after it was due (no doubt because of a national holiday where I live), their assistance was not needed after all, but I want to take this opportunity to commend their excellent service. I would definitely buy from them again.

I have started working through this book, and so far find it explains itself in the right level of detail. There seems to be the appropriate amount of repetition as I have not had any trouble remembering what I learn in each chapter. I would recommend reading their instructions on the method carefully, as I skimmed it and later realised how useful it was i.e. compiling your own vocabulary list as you go, to refer to. Although I am only getting started, and have not used the cd as much as the book (due to learning on the go) I have found it very useful and tend to go back and redo a section with the audio after I feel I have learnt it.

This was the first 'Teach Yourself' course I bought, although I now also own 'Complete Arabic'. However, I have a myriad of Russian learning materials (including Nicholas J. Brown's course, as well as several grammar books and a frequency dictionary). How does this compare? In order to give a sense of my linguistic background and Russian competence, I have always been fascinated by the language and culture, and began this with around an A1 level (self-evaluated). I am a fluent speaker of Polish (as an overseas Pole), and therefore found quite a few similarities - the Slavic language family is closely knit. I also previously learned the Cyrillic alphabet, so I cannot speak for the section of the book devoted to this. The layout is rather traditional, and the vocabulary is far from advanced, although this is certainly a helpful course for achieving a solid level of proficiency in Russian - I found it helpful to use the Michel Thomas Total Russian audio course before opening this tome. Overall, this course is imperfect, but no more so than any other on the market, and I recommend it wholeheartedly.

I bought this after trying the Routledge Colloquial Russian book. I am 3 units in and am finding it much easier to use. Grammar is explained in a much simpler way and so is much easier to absorb. The exercises in the book are very well constructed so they are challenging enough to make sure you've understood the topic but not so challenging that you just get disheartened (as I did with the Routledge book).

I have been using Duolingo for 2 years, learning russian and Spanish in my spare time. Now, I want to take it further so I researched some books that could assist. This book has helped me grasp a much better understanding of the Russian language much further than Duolingo ever could. Still, it’s from the comfort of my own home so I don’t need to go into a classroom! The author gives learning techniques too. Very useful

This book is incredible as a beginner's book. The audio files for each chapter and exercise are downloadable from the web site provided. It gets you started with greetings but quickly gets you to more advanced topics (for example by the time you get to chapter 5, the written text equivalent for any listening exercise is no longer provided - forcing you to really listen). However, you need to persist with the book and dedicate time and energy. It helps having Russian friends around you, as it is easy to make mistakes. There are a lot of things to learn, and my approach is to learn anything to do with general conversation. Do not be fixed on learning everything as the book goes on. Learn what you can, and re-read the book again several times to pick up anything you skipped, misunderstood or forgot. I highly recommend this book for beginners. But you need to persist. There are mistakes - there often are in books like this one. But it proves that if you notice them, you have learnt something.

Although it says in the book that audio is provided by downloading the app or streaming on a website, my many attempts to do either on an iPhone (ios system) and a Chromebook did not work. Right on the cover of the book it says Audio online. Had high hopes for this teaching method but now that it shot through. May return it for a more truthful system.

il libro è fatto bene, ben strutturato e facilmente comprensibile

Very nice. Detailed study

Es un buen libro, tiene cosas interesantes y la metodología la considero apropiada y sencilla si ya sabes ruso, como es mi caso. Quería un libro que me ayudará a reforzar lo básico. No le doy 5 estrellas porque no está a color y el papel es 'sedoso' por lo cual es complicado escribir sobre el con lápiz. Tengo el libro "Get yourself started in italian', El cual es de la misma editorial, ese sí está a color y el papel es agradable para escribir.

I simply love this series. I own several for different languages and they're all built kind of the same, but also differs from one language to another so it's not the same content translated over and over again. It has everything: vocabulary, grammar, reading, writing, translation exercices, etc. It's a great way to start learning Russian. I'd suggest to get yourself a dictionary on the side as well.