There are a lot of good Russian textbooks for children on the market. How can you choose the one that is right for you and your students?
I can already hear the exclamation: Well, since she is an author, she will now start promoting her textbooks! But I won’t start; later I’ll explain why. And now back to the topic. In the first part, I will tell you about selection criteria, how I personally would choose a Russian textbook, what questions I would ask during the selection. In the second part, so be it — we will talk a little about my books, and decide for yourself whether the textbook Soroka is suitable for you, or you need to look for something else. But first, how to choose a textbook.
Question 1: First think about how this Russian textbook will be delivered to you. Can you buy it in your country? If you need a physical book, then first see if it can be delivered to your country. Where to look? A local bookstore, for example; or see what search engines and marketplaces have to offer.
Why do I think this is the most important criterion? You may hear about a great textbook, but where you live it is impossible to buy it. Why waste time getting it and overpaying for delivery? Unfortunately, this issue is now coming to the fore: In our time, old logistics connections — alas — have been destroyed, and new ones are yet to emerge. Because I’m a teacher myself, when I take on students I need to somehow provide them with teaching aids. It’s easier for me to order ready-made books and work with them. You may say, what about electronic copies? The answer will be in point (advice) No. 8. In the meantime, when you’re looking for a textbook, start with delivery and payment. Don’t you agree?
Some colleagues believe that you must first find a textbook, and then by hook or by crook try to buy it, ordering from another country if necessary. Do you agree that, for the sake of a good textbook, you can endure the inconvenience of delivery? Write in the comments.
Question 2: What types of exercises are in the textbook? How interested will students be in making them? How can a textbook help you stay motivated? Modern children (and these are your students) are very busy; their lives are too full of information. Students most likely aren’t motivated to learn Russian — or the motivation is very weak. You need to learn how to constantly hold the attention of your students, and the textbook should help you with this. It’s better to learn a language through games and interesting tasks than to drill into grammar. So, look and choose.
Question 3: How age-appropriate is the textbook? If this is a course for 10-year-olds, it will most likely be difficult for 5-year-olds to learn. Teenagers want to grow up quickly, and you bring them a book for 5-year-olds? I guarantee they will refuse to study with you. So look at what age the books are intended for.
Write to me in the comments about how old your students are and what country you live in.
Question 4: What do you want to get out of it: for a child to read and understand what they read? Could you express your thoughts in writing in Russian? Or is it enough that they don’t make basic mistakes in speech? Choose a textbook to suit your purposes. You understand that knowledge of a language is too broad of a field. For example, you can perfectly read the original Russian, but not be able to tell what the film was about on the screen. You can recite poetry for kilometers, but not be able to write a note (text message, email) to your grandmother in Russia. So, what do you want? Set goals. Share your goals with me. Write in the comments what you want from the Russian course for children.
Question 5: Who will teach? I dare to suggest that most likely this textbook is chosen by a mother who lives abroad. This is an educated mother with a profession, but her profession isn’t related to teaching languages (an engineer, a veterinarian, a programmer; in my practice there were a lot of women with different professions). Do you want to teach your child at home? Or do you want to open a weekend school to teach your child, together with others? If you recognize yourself, then put a “+” in the comments!
Question 6: What help is there for teachers in this textbook? Choose textbooks that have methodological recommendations, books for teachers, and support groups on social networks. I remember when I first started teaching Russian, I was looking everywhere for any information about how to do it correctly. I still value the advice of my colleagues and listen to such advice. If you’re just starting to teach, especially if you don’t have any formal training as a teacher, you’ll need help.
Do you use methodological recommendations? Write to me in the comments.
Question 7: I’ve already mentioned this point, and we’re returning to this question again. Is it possible to access an electronic copy of this textbook? This is a little cheaper because the issue of delivery by mail is removed. But there are a few “buts” here. Not all textbooks have an electronic version. Printing on a printer, especially color books, is very expensive, often even more expensive than a book in a store. What is more profitable for you? Do the math!
I’ve already said that I don’t like the electronic version, but that’s my own preference. Personally, I prefer paper books.
Which textbooks do you prefer: paper or files? Write in the comments.
Question 8: Decide whether you’re planning to take exams according to the Russian school program. If so, then it will be one textbook; if not, then it will be another.
Question 9: If you answered that you’re not planning exams according to the Russian curriculum, then I categorically don’t recommend textbooks that are published for schoolchildren from Russia. Such textbooks are designed for children who study Russian as a native language. This is a completely different category of students!!! Both their goals and objectives are completely different.
Question 10: Think about how working with the textbook will fit into your students’ workweek. They’re all very busy. They all go to the local school; they need to get good grades there. Besides this, they also have other activities. How much time can they devote to Russian language classes? You might ask, what does this have to do with choosing a textbook? Good question. You should always know your students well (or at least pretend that you do). You can prepare (come up with) a great program, but the students only have time for a small part of it. And your whole plan …
Write in the comments how many hours of Russian per week your students have.
Question 11: When choosing, first read the description given by the author themself. This description must indicate the age of the children for whom the course is designed, the level of language proficiency and what skills this course is designed to develop. And if the description indicates that this is a manual for bilingual children who already know how to read, you shouldn’t take this course for those who are starting from absolute scratch.
Question 12: At the very end, read reviews of other people of the course you have chosen. In this category I include not only reviews from parents and teachers, but also annotations written by a publishing house or trading platform. This is very important to do at the very end, when you’re almost ready to decide. When you have done the work, the opinions of other people can confirm that you’re right; or, conversely, force you to continue searching. But I insist on exactly this sequence — the opinion and recommendations of the author themself, and only then the opinion of other users.
Well, at the end, as promised, I’ll tell you why I didn’t intend to promote my textbooks. Because there’s no universal textbook that suits everyone indiscriminately. Because for me it is more important that you achieve success and get results from your classes. In this case, I don’t care whether you take my textbook or not. Why is that?
I have a reputation that I value. My first textbook was published in 2016. During this time, I was thanked many times for precisely what I said: “My textbooks are not suitable for you.” If I sell you a book that you don’t need, then I will lose my reputation. And if I help you with your choice, then we will all benefit. So how is it? What is more important — $4 from the sale of a book or …? You decide.
I know that my colleagues, Russian teachers, are reading this now. I invite them to leave a comment: Do you agree that there is no universal textbook that suits everyone?
Now about Soroka. Yes, my textbooks can be easily bought in the USA, Europe, Japan, Turkey and Russia. They are sold on Amazon and other marketplaces. Yes, I have a lot of games and other interesting exercises in my textbook (and I have videos about games in class). Yes, in class we talk a lot and learn grammar through play. Yes, I have methodological recommendations, support groups on social networks and a blog. Yes, the textbook is designed for ages 7 to 9, and is very suitable for children at this age.
Remember that a well-chosen textbook brings pleasure to both the student and the teacher. All parties will see an improvement in results from the classes, as well as in motivation and enjoyment.
