Author |
Message |
Heyltslori
Member
09-15-2001
| Sunday, April 10, 2005 - 7:39 am
Hey everyone! I have a sister who is in the process of trying to adopt a 6 year old little girl from Russia. Apparently the little girl doesn't know any english yet, and if the adoption goes through I would like to be able to know a little russian so I could communicate with her. I have looked around online a bit, and have found a few things that might help, but I was wondering if anyone here could offer some advice. I would like something geared towards children if possible, and it doesn't have to be really extensive. I just want to learn some basics so I can talk with her and make her feel more at ease. Also, I don't have a lot of money to spend, and some of the stuff I was finding online was pretty expensive. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! 
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Draheid
Moderator
09-09-2001
| Sunday, April 10, 2005 - 8:08 am
Wow Lori, how cool is that! I did a quick google on the terms "+free +online +conversational +russian" and found THIS SITE that looks really interesting. Near the bottom of the page are links for common phrases, country information, and language information. I didn't look closely to see what, if any, fees are involved, but the apparently available information looks really useful. Try the phrases section to see what I mean. Hope this helps. I will look more but wanted to get this one here and to say congratulations to sis!!!
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Pamy
Member
01-02-2002
| Sunday, April 10, 2005 - 9:03 am
Very cool Lori!!!
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Heyltslori
Member
09-15-2001
| Sunday, April 10, 2005 - 9:11 am
Thanks Dra! I checked that site out and it may come in very useful. From what I understand they do like a language exchange, where I could talk to someone who knows Russian and is trying to learn English, so we could help each other. That might be a little intimidating, since I know basically no Russian at all, but hey, ya gotta start somewhere right? Thanks! 
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Halfunit
Moderator
09-02-2001
| Sunday, April 10, 2005 - 9:55 am
I'm looking! Have you seen THIS?
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Heyltslori
Member
09-15-2001
| Sunday, April 10, 2005 - 10:10 am
Why no I haven't. Thank you! There's a lot of information there! Hey Pamy...I already bought her a Russian Barbie. I thought of you when I found it.
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Halfunit
Moderator
09-02-2001
| Sunday, April 10, 2005 - 10:19 am
Or this?
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Halfunit
Moderator
09-02-2001
| Sunday, April 10, 2005 - 10:25 am
Or this?
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Heyltslori
Member
09-15-2001
| Sunday, April 10, 2005 - 10:36 am
Thanks so much Half! The second site you posted actually has little downloads that give me the correct pronunciation, so that is VERY helpful. I've already learned "Hi" and "Bye-Bye" so that's a good start! Woohoo! 
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Juju2bigdog
Member
10-27-2000
| Sunday, April 10, 2005 - 10:38 am
Also check your local library, especially the children's section. They probably have audio or video tapes for learning languages.
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Heyltslori
Member
09-15-2001
| Sunday, April 10, 2005 - 10:39 am
That's a great idea, Juju!
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Jmm
Member
08-16-2002
| Sunday, April 10, 2005 - 10:49 am
Lori, Check with your local high school. They have language tapes that the kids use in labs. If they teach Russian and you explained why you were trying to learn I bet you'll find someone who will help you with getting tapes and answer questions for you.
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Halfunit
Moderator
09-02-2001
| Sunday, April 10, 2005 - 11:17 am
mp3 of the alphabet table of alphabet
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Heyltslori
Member
09-15-2001
| Sunday, April 10, 2005 - 12:58 pm
You guys rock! That's a great idea Jmm!! Thanks for all of your research Halfbuddy!  
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Sunday, April 10, 2005 - 1:11 pm
Wishing your sister the best, hon! And aren't you so dear to be getting ready for her?! That is so nice of everyone here to help! (They DO rock!)
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Juju2bigdog
Member
10-27-2000
| Sunday, April 10, 2005 - 4:25 pm
If the library has children's tapes, she might even enjoy listening to them or watching them with you. I have only heard the Spanish ones, but they are cute as can be with songs and things.
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Twiggyish
Member
08-14-2000
| Sunday, April 10, 2005 - 4:52 pm
Congratulations!!! 
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Draheid
Moderator
09-09-2001
| Sunday, April 10, 2005 - 5:14 pm
Here's a really exciting site that looks like it might be very useful for a lot of people, including those wanting to learn Russian...My Language Exchange. They have people from around the world who want to exchange e-mails and such to help learn different languages. Looks very interesting to me.
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Teachmichigan
Member
07-22-2001
| Sunday, April 10, 2005 - 7:19 pm
Lori -- where the heck in Michigan are you??? I live on the west side of the state, and one of my good friends is RUSSIAN! Both she and her mom live here now; she married one of my coworkers, but her little girl is completely bilingual. Her mom only speaks Russian w/ her g-daughter, and my friend uses both. If you're nearby, she's teaching a Russian class shortly! Normally, she teaches Spanish (yup -- she's a polyglot!), but I'm sure she'd love to help. Let me know. 
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Halfunit
Moderator
09-02-2001
| Sunday, April 10, 2005 - 7:38 pm
<...smells a TVCH meeting in the making...>
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Juju2bigdog
Member
10-27-2000
| Sunday, April 10, 2005 - 7:52 pm
<gets realllly excited about the Teachmichigan thing, especially the bilingual little girl, and pukes in bushes>

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Heyltslori
Member
09-15-2001
| Monday, April 11, 2005 - 7:40 am
Wow...Teachmichigan lives in Michigan? lol Imagine that! I'll send you a PM Teach! Thank you so much everyone for all of your help. I have found LOADS of helpful information and I'm sure it will help make my new niece feel a bit less overwhelmed when I can talk a little with her. 
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Reader234
Member
08-13-2000
| Monday, April 11, 2005 - 9:14 am
Hey, great websites, I'm passing them on to DS, his girlfriend is Russian, and her parents speak very little English, he's always invited over there for their special holidays, and he is now learning Russian!! Her family always celebrated New Years Eve in a BIG way, including a tree, they didnt have the Santa Clause or stocking tradition, but kept insisting that NYE was very similiar to our Christmas!!
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Sunshyne4u
Member
06-17-2003
| Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 12:55 am
When push comes to shove I like to use a translator. Babelfish works quite well for some languages. Also has a few links. http://babelfish.altavista.com/tr
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Twinkie
Member
09-24-2002
| Saturday, April 16, 2005 - 3:21 pm
Congrats, Auntie Lori! When hubby learned Russian before his trip there he used flashcards to learn and said it was the best way for him so you might want to give that a try. Good luck, sweetie!
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Loppes
Member
07-12-2002
| Monday, May 23, 2005 - 11:41 pm
HeyItsLori, I speak fluent russian, however, i am posting you a link to an exceptional book which my son got when he was born. Its well worth you buying. Its around 14.00 http://www.geniusbabies.com/fi10woru.html
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Heyltslori
Member
09-15-2001
| Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 5:18 am
Thank you Loppes!!
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