In-Flight Russian : Learn Before You Land

by Living Language

Release Date: 26 June, 2001

Edition: Audio CD

Price:

More Info

Not bad, but...

The In Flight Russian CD has some good points. The native speakers are a good touch, and they cover a fairly wide range of useful phrases. Also, the CD tracks are well organized into subject sessions (saying "hello", the airport, shopping, etc.)

The shortcomings are: The accompanying phrasebook is limited to the words covered in the lesson, and they are NOT spelled in Russian, only English-phonetic (a serious flaw in my opinion).

Also, the speakers on the CD only say the word once. It would be nice if they said it two or three times to help get it in your head. Some Russian phrases can sound quite confusing to American ears.

I had already studied some basic Russian before my trip using a Berlitz guide, so the CD was a big help by demonstrating the correct pronunciation of certain words. This CD would be tough to use on its own, but when used as a refresher (I listen in my car) or supplemented with more thorough material, it can be useful.