Why learning Russian is so important
February 2022
Aside from your own personal reasons there is one overriding reason to learn Russian.
If you don't try to find out more about Russian society and culture (by learning its language, reading about it, speaking to Russians and all the other ways of doing that) you will not be able to begin to understand what happens there, the decisions people take and what they do. And that becomes very important when what happens, the decisions and the actions seem as incomprehensible and frightening as now, when Russia has invaded next door Ukraine.
Aside from your own personal reasons there is one overriding reason to learn Russian.
If you don't try to find out more about Russian society and culture (by learning its language, reading about it, speaking to Russians and all the other ways of doing that) you will not be able to begin to understand what happens there, the decisions people take and what they do. And that becomes very important when what happens, the decisions and the actions seem as incomprehensible and frightening as now, when Russia has invaded next door Ukraine.
and Ukrainian!
Summer 2022
Now that there are 1000s of Ukrainians in the UK, and the war is more entrenched and more terrible than could have been imagined in February, many people are involved in helping Ukrainian refugees in their local areas. Ukrainian Refugee Support (ukrainianinstitute.org.uk) is a useful summary of suggestions from the Ukrainian Institute in London.
Now is also the time to learn Ukrainian. If you can't find a course locally try Duolingo Ukrainian or Languagedrops Learn Ukrainian.
Now that there are 1000s of Ukrainians in the UK, and the war is more entrenched and more terrible than could have been imagined in February, many people are involved in helping Ukrainian refugees in their local areas. Ukrainian Refugee Support (ukrainianinstitute.org.uk) is a useful summary of suggestions from the Ukrainian Institute in London.
Now is also the time to learn Ukrainian. If you can't find a course locally try Duolingo Ukrainian or Languagedrops Learn Ukrainian.
|
Help Ukraine Emergency AppealMillions of people in Ukraine are facing an imminent humanitarian crisis. They are in urgent need of medical supplies and relief as they face the prospect of renewed conflict. Please help them now.
A further Russian invasion will be catastrophic for the civilian population. The elderly, vulnerable, children and families are at risk of losing their homes and access to medical and other vital services. The psychological trauma of war will affect generations. The #HelpUkraine Emergency Appeal is working with accredited and registered Ukrainian charities to provide medicines, food and critical services to support the most vulnerable to overcome the consequences and trauma of war. Organised on behalf of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB). More information and how to donate |
What are your personal reasons?
This is an important question for anyone thinking of learning a language (or anything else) - but only you can answer it for yourself. Your reason for learning is what will keep you interested, and will also affect the way you want to learn.
Rather than list a whole lot of reasons why Russian is often thought to be useful, interesting, accessible, and beautiful (it is all of these) this site attempts to give practical advice - where to study, learning and teaching materials, how to find out about Russia itself, and how to interest your children in Russia. We have included information on some other East European languages where available, particularly Polish and Ukrainian.
You could start by reading "A good teacher can change your life", an article in the New Shetlander magazine (Yule 2021, pdf download) by Jen Stout, a young Scots journalist, on why she loved learning Russian.
Rather than list a whole lot of reasons why Russian is often thought to be useful, interesting, accessible, and beautiful (it is all of these) this site attempts to give practical advice - where to study, learning and teaching materials, how to find out about Russia itself, and how to interest your children in Russia. We have included information on some other East European languages where available, particularly Polish and Ukrainian.
You could start by reading "A good teacher can change your life", an article in the New Shetlander magazine (Yule 2021, pdf download) by Jen Stout, a young Scots journalist, on why she loved learning Russian.
|
NEW IN DEC 2020!!
https://www.russiaforkids.info An online and developing version of Russian Language and Culture |
|
Russian language and culture
A downloadable short course for schools and independent learning - two versions + NEW website for young people |
|
Learning materials and qualifications
Materials for teaching and learning Russian, and some of the qualifications available |
|
(another)
website for kids A website for children full of interesting facts about Russia www.findoutaboutrussia.co.uk |
Some leaflets for schools
Click on the leaflets to download.
|
|
|
|