r/LearnRussian • u/Hoganator_ • 11h ago

Language Learning at work

Hello all. I have a unique situation that I would like your help with! At my job, I have about 2-4 hours of downtime, but I still need to be at my desk. I usually fill this time with scrolling social media which is destroying my brain and it is usually not quiet enough for me to read. I want to instead use this time for language learning. I had started learning Russian a few years ago and have been very off and on, but now that I can dedicate dependable time to this I want to make a good effort.

I have access to a computer, headphones, etc. but I cannot practice speaking. I can download pdfs but not software. Does anyone have a routine that works for them? I was thinking:

  • 20-30 mins Anki
  • 1 hour Penguin Beginner Russian
  • ? What else?!

Thanks for your help.

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u/ursulaleloon 11h ago

Depending on your level, listen to some youtube channels or podcasts. I like russianpod101, be fluent in russian, and Russian with Max. For me, listening to something where I understand 70% of the content is a good sweet spot for work. Russian with Max is a right on the line for me, but I slow it down and listen to the same episode twice in a row. Sergey Storyteller (he used to do Russian from Afar) is also good. His episodes have vocab lists that are really easy to put into Anki.

1

u/Hatjin 11h ago

When I learned English, I just read manga. Try something similar if you already have a decent vocab.

1

u/Intelligent_Sun_987 10h ago

  1. Set up kind of pronounce. I mean not the best one but to make your body ready. And learn to read the letter "ы" (the "ee" sound deep from your throat, try to roll "ee" down there). And make pronounce not that painful for your body

  2. make literal translations to set up brain:

Никогда не было и вот опять <- normal
Neecogdar nae bjilor ee wot opyatth <- kinda spelling for english
Never no was and so again <- literal translation for bootstrap your mind
This is no time of being such a nonsense but in this particular occasion it returned with all its grace <- kinda high-quality translation that completely correct yet have no use for learning, straight from textbooks.

  1. Search for the "мат" and learn the 5 basic words and it's forms. Practice at work to describe the case and emotions. But besides that 5 basic words... you'll have whole set of the language lego, so you can build brick by brick whole language skill of the Team Leader.

  2. Use the language. Even with the AI's. Any 7B+ model is fine, except the Mail ru Alice - this 2Q nonsense should be ignored at all costs. Gemini, DeepSeek - literally any one.