Russian: Start Speaking Today!

Rating:
Summary: Good Start
Review: First, if you already know the basics and can communicate effectively in Russian, you probably won't find much new material here. But when I bought this program I could barely say "good morning." If you are in that position and want to learn, this program is a wonderful starting place. I was a little disappointed at first when I saw there were only two tapes, but when I listened to them, and read the companion book, I saw that they had most of the phrases a beginner would need.
You can listen to the tapes in the car, and carry the book around to read in your spare time.
I would recommend using the them together the first time through, because the book gives you the spelling, phonetically and with the Russian spelling, while the tapes, which follow the book exactly, let you hear the words prounounced, once in English and twice in Russian. Sometimes the phrases are a little long, and a little frustrating, so the book is helpful until they become more familiar
As an added bonus, there is an interesting introduction to the Russian language in the beginning of the book, and some cultural notes at the ending of the book and the tapes.