Job Discussion Forums

teacher X · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2014 8:19 pm Post subject:

I tried a new technique last night. It consisted of getting horrendously drunk and then starting a conversation with an attractive young lady about Stalin.
Strangely, it didn't seem to go down too well. It seems that the young kids of today simply have no interest in having Stalin themed conversations with foreign drunkards.

Well, that's me all out of ideas.

JamesonWhiskey · Joined: 18 Jan 2014 Posts: 34

Well after some hilarious comments in this thread, I guess I'll add what I learned. I met some really cool people at the Couch Surfing events. I've been going to the Hard Rock every weekend and I've hit Anti-Boring Friday and Polyglot Cafe.

I've found it's a great way to meet people because everyone who goes is interested in learning English and or already speaks some English.

I hung out with a cool kid last weekend and we played video games. Hopefully we will meet up again this weekend.

I think part of my problem was I really was feeling out of place. It's my first time outside the United States and being exposed to a foreign culture is a unique experience. Anyways thanks guys for all the suggestions and humor!

Sashadroogie · Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 7:06 am Post subject:

Good for you.

Just remember though, that while it's great to have an English-speaking social outlet, longer term you'll need to knuckle down to the joys of Russian grammar...

GotoRussia · Joined: 02 Jan 2014 Posts: 182

Some expats who've been in Russia for years can barely speak a few words of Russian, due to lack of interest or just plain apathy. Of course it's always better to know some phrases, I managed ok with the bare bones. Could speak about 5 or 10 simple sentences.

if you're one of them highly skilled expats I wouldn't doubt you have translators at your beck and call.

GotoRussia · Joined: 02 Jan 2014 Posts: 182

hey JWhiskey good to hear you made it out to the events...yeah culture shock can always be disconcerting, especially in a new country and language.

but just get out there and meet people. Russia's my 4th long term country where I have spent time working or studying...each place has its challenges.

use your English skills as a commodity and know that people will want to speak with you for it.

JamesonWhiskey · Joined: 18 Jan 2014 Posts: 34

Часто я практика по русски. Даже проследня вечер я говорил только по русски для 2 часа с девушкой. Для сейчас надо я узнаю слова. Больше важно чем граматика мне кажется.

I love the expat events because so many Russians go and even though I often speak in Russian, it's nice to be able to fall back on English sometimes.

It's incomprehensible how someone could live in Russia and not have the drive or desire to learn it. Blows the golova.

Foma87 · Joined: 13 Sep 2011 Posts: 116 Location: Moscow

@Jamesons

I think you could use some grammar practice based on the sentences you gave in Russian (or maybe you were joking?), either way I applaud the effort

Sashadroogie · Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 2:43 pm Post subject:

Ha ha! Russian has no grammar!

JamesonWhiskey · Joined: 18 Jan 2014 Posts: 34

Nooo no I'm not saying I don't need grammar I'm just saying at my level, I want to learn the essential vocabulary first so that I can understand conversations and reply coherently. In English it's about 3,000 words to understand 90% of everyday conversation. I'm not sure what it is in Russian, I'll let you know once I get there.

After I can understand most of what's said around me, THENNN I want to really fucking dive into serious grammar.

@sasha maybe it has no grammar for word order but the cases are a bitch Very Happy

An outrageously fun bitch but sometimes you still want to dump her

Sashadroogie · Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 8:46 pm Post subject:

You'll hear your students saying silly things like English has no grammar. Meaning precisely that it has no cases. Yet they never get articles right and have problems with syntax. So, saying Russian has no grammar is my reply.

Wasn't suggesting that that was what you were suggesting : ) Hard to say, and type, after a stopka or four of vodka.

3,000 words? Where do these factoids come from?

JamesonWhiskey · Joined: 18 Jan 2014 Posts: 34

Dunno the internet I reckon. Maybe even a TED talk? Seems awfully reasonable though. Knowing 3,000 words you could navigate most situations, domestic or otherwise and be fine.

I envy your inebriation. I didn't come to Russia to remain sober

Sashadroogie · Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2014 12:41 pm Post subject:

A very limited, transactional type of conversation, perhaps... But it still sounds like a made-up number backed up by nothing. And we haven't even got into defining what a 'word' is, and what 'knowing a word' entails...

None of which matters without being able to 'grammaticize' the lexis anyway.

Hic!

JamesonWhiskey, have a drink of yourself. Then move to Beluga! Watch sobriety become a dim and distant condition, well shunned.