Introduction

First Year Russian consists of three sequential courses, Russian 1, Russian 2 and Russian 3, beginning in the Fall and ending in the Spring quarter. First Year Russian classes meet three times a week for one and a half hours.

Quick Links

Textbooks

Goals of the First Year Russian Courses

Class Attendance and Homework

Quizzes and Tests

Russian Room Assignments and Help

In Addition

Textbooks

1. GOLOSA (both textbook and workbook), Book 1 by Richard Robin et al. 3rd Edition; available in the ASUCLA store.

3. Reader compiled by the UCLA Slavic Department.

4. Video: "Do Svidaniya Leto (Good-bye, Summer)".

             Goals of the First Year Russian Courses

You will acquire skills in speaking, reading, listening, and writing. In a year, you will learn the basics of Russian grammar and will be able to function in Russian. One year of Russian will also satisfy your language requirement.

1. Speaking: Communication with others is your goal. From the first day of instruction, practice what you have just learned in class. Try to speak Russian as much as possible. In first year Russian, you will learn to speak about yourself and your interests. You will also be able to ask other people questions about themselves.

Knowing the vocabulary is vital for the success of your language learning. As you start a new chapter in the textbook, look at the vocabulary list at the end of each chapter. Divide all words in smaller groups and start learning them. Find a way that helps you to memorize them best. It can be flash cards, writing lists, making up sentences or stories with new words, etc.

2. Grammar: To know Russian well, you should understand and learn grammatical concepts. If you don't understand them, do not wait, ask the instructor for help. Then try to apply them right away. Do not worry about making mistakes but learn from them.

3. Reading: You will study reading techniques to help you see and understand what a text is about. As you learn more grammar and vocabulary, reading in Russian will become an easy skill and a pleasant experience. Your instructor can help you with reading strategies, but there is only one way to learn to read - by reading. When you read a text, don't let unfamiliar words stop you from reading further. The goal is not to translate every sentence in the text, but to understand the general idea.

4. Writing: You will write short essays about yourself and your interests, your friends and your family. Even if you don't think you will ever need to write in Russian in the future, it is a necessary learning tool. When you write, you get to practice grammar, use new words, and think in Russian.

5. Audio and Video in Russian: You will watch "Good-bye, Summer!" (an all-time classic soap opera which will teach you both Russian language and culture) and some excerpts from Russian videos and movies. You will listen to Russian folk and contemporary songs. By doing so, you will develop listening skills, which are necessary in communication with others.

6. Web Assignments and Computer Lab Activities: You will do several web assignments. The Russian Phonetic Keyboard is available in the CDH labs in Kinsey for your convenience.
If you are interested in finding other sites on the Russian web, please ask your instructor for help.CLASS ATTENDANCE AND HOMEWORK:
Attendance is obligatory because in a language class your attendance and active participation are crucial to your success as well as the success of the whole class. You are allowed an absence only in case of emergency, medical and religious reasons.
Homework is due at the beginning of the class (put it on the instructor's table). No late homework will be accepted for credit unless you have discussed it previously with the instructor.

Class Attendance and Homework

Attendance is obligatory because in a language class your attendance and active participation are crucial to your success as well as the success of the whole class. You are allowed an absence only in case of emergency, medical and religious reasons.

Homework is due at the beginning of the class (put it on the instructor's table). No late homework will be accepted for credit unless you have discussed it previously with the instructor.

Quizzes and Tests

There will be both a quiz and a test for every chapter. Make-up quizzes and tests will be given only in the event of illness or extenuating circumstances if you let the instructor know beforehand.

               Russian Room Assignments and Help

Nelya Dubrovich, who works in the Russian Room, Kinsey 199D, is an experienced tutor. We have noticed over the years that students who work with Nelya on a regular basis make easier and faster progress. You will be given weekly assignments to work with Nelya for an hour every week. You can also go to the Russian Room if you need help or want to practice your Russian during drop-ins.

                                    In Addition

After taking one year of Russian you are eligible for the EAP (Education Abroad Program) in Moscow.

Russian Major : You can major in Russian Language and Literature, Russian Studies, and Slavic Languages and Literatures.

Russian Minor: The Department has three different tracks for Russian minor.

If you have any questions or need more information, please contact Olga Kagan, our Russian Language Program Coordinator at okagan@humnet.ucla.edu.

Join the UCLA Russian Club, participate in exciting extracurricular activities and help other students run the Club. You will start getting all the information as soon as we have your email address. We hope to see you (and your friends) attending the Club events.

Enjoy Studying Russian