Unconventional Russian Language Textbooks

Series
2
Books
Rasskaz-Sensatsiya: v pomosh izuchayushim russkiy yazik (ne tolko dlya gvadeluptsev) (The Story Sensation: For Learners of the Russian Language (and Not Only for Guadeloupeans!): Unconventional Russian language textbook (Russian reader)
Book 1·Jan 2013
5.0
·
$19.95
'Rasskaz-Sensatsiya: v pomosh izuchayushim russkiy yazik (ne tolko dlya Gvadeluptsev)' (The Story Sensation: for learners of the Russian language (and not only for Guadeloupeans!) is the first in the series of sarcastic stories, detective lines, written as an aid to making the Russian language study process a little bit more bearable for adult learners. This story contains approximately 800 Russian words from such topics as clothes, food, politics, office, sports and gym, transport and business that are required for everyday communication.

The audio-version can be ordered on http://gumroad.com/russian or via email audio-book@russialocal.co.uk.

The story is completely fictional, with fictional characters and scenery, full of sarcasm and jokes with a mockery of stereo-types. Ignaty Dyakov, professional Russian teacher, wrote it as an aid to making the Russian language study process a little bit more bearable for adult learners. By no means can it be seen as a substitute for the classical language textbook but the author's humble hope is that it can become a useful and enjoyable supplement to the course materials for Elementary & Pre-Intermediate levels.

'Rasskaz Sensatsiya' contains approximately 800 words that are required for everyday communication. Every word appears in the text several times so that the learner can become accustomed to its meaning in the context. The author tried to include words from such topics as clothes, food, politics, office, sports and gym, transport and business. He also tried to use some common Russian set expressions and proverbs and quotes from famous songs. There are many dialogues in the story. There are lists of new words in every chapter. No translation is provided so that the learner can make a note of the meanings in their own language. At the end of the book, one can find a concise Russian-English dictionary.

The story is written in slightly simplified Russian. Thus, the learner will find it easier to recognise and memorise grammar structures. At the end of each chapter there are questions and/or grammar exercises.

The book is published in association with Russia Local Ltd, Russo-British Chamber of Commerce and ctms Travel Agency. Illustrated by Gregg Ink.

Praise for the book:
A brilliant debut! No doubts this textbook will be extremely useful to the learners of the Russian language who are also interested in the current state of Russia, its history, culture, and people. /Dr Alexander Zdanevich, Director, Russian Centre of Science and Culture, Tanzania/

This is a very unique and original approach to language learning, it gives the reader useful everyday words and phrases in the context of a compelling story that makes you want to read and learn more. A real change from the norm of formal boring language books. /Richard Royal, Chairman, Conservative Friends of Russia, UK/

An entertaining read. Gives a nice impression - easy to grasp, a thriller and a series of exercises./Arthur Matikyan, Head of UK, Ireland & Iceland representative office of Rossotrudnichestvo/

Unconventional material... Specifics of the pedagogical technology suggested by the author are based on the text principle and oriented at active learning and development of the creative language personality... The work laudably impresses and can be used as a textbook for foreign learners. /Prof Lyudmila Verbitskaya, President of the International Association of Teachers of the Russian language and literature, President of St Petersburg State University/
Rasskaz-provokatsiya: v pomosh izuchayushim russkiy yazik (da, da, i dlya Vas tozhe) (The Story Canonisation: for learners of the Russian language (yes, yes, for you too!): Unconventional Russian Language Textbook (Russian reader)
Book 2·Jan 2014
0.0
·
$16.95
 ‘The Story Provocation: for learners of the Russian language (yes, yes, and for you too!)’ - “Rasskaz-provokatsiya” in Russian – is Ignaty Dyakov’s second unconventional language textbook (in the series of three books each of which is sold as a paperback and an ebook on Amazon, Bookdepository and in bookstores in London, Paris and Helsinki; audio-books are available on http://gumroad.com/russian)."Rasskaz-provokatisya" follows the continuing story of George, a Guadeloupean banker embarking on a journey that sees his day to day life set against a series of crimes and provocations.

Author Ignaty Dyakov, is a professional Russian language teacher in London. He was inspired to write a series of stories that would teach useful vocabulary and grammar after some of his business clients complained that existing text-books were boring and had no relation to real life.

So his textbooks (three to date) are fascinating detective stories with characters from different cultural backgrounds meeting in Guadeloupe and Europe. They live, love, work and relax. And most importantly they fight the world's evil and show exceptional ethics both in life and their work. 

Mr Dyakov said: “The story is completely fictional, with fictional characters and scenery, full of sarcasm and jokes with a mockery of stereotypes. I wrote it as an aid to making the Russian language study process a little bit more bearable for adult learners”.

This is an innovative and unusual textbook technique and has already received much acclaim from eminent Russian specialists.

“Undoubtedly, this textbook makes language learning more fun, interesting and thus less challenging. It can be recommended as an addition to any Russian language textbook for A1-B1 levels - your students will definitely succeed and progress in Russian language learning!” says Professor Galina Levina, vice-provost of The Pushkin State Russian Language Institute.

The book has been tested on Ignaty's students who confirm that the story line keeps them intrigued and motivated to read more. This technique helps develop their language skills, and makes the learning process more bearable, if not enjoyable.

'The Story Provocation' - ‘Rasskaz-Provokatsiya’, is illustrated by an Irish artist Gregg Ink.

‘The Story Provocation’ is published in association with Roxy-Art Ltd, Russian National Tourist Office, Russia Local Ltd and five per cent of all proceeds will go to support the SOS Children's Village, an orphanage in Leningrad region, Russia.

The sarcastic detective story covers common and useful topics such as food, politics, office life, clothes, sports, transport and business, as well as some common Russian set expressions and proverbs.

Much of the book is conducted in dialogues, and there are lists of new words in every chapter as well as a concise Russian-English dictionary at the end. The story is written in slightly simplified Russian, to aid recognising and memorising grammar structures, and there are questions and/or grammar exercises at the end of each chapter. 

The audio-version of the book is available as well on http://gumroad.com/russian.