“My son is 5 years old. Can we use the ‘Soroka’ course with him?” a parent asked me in an email.
It depends on how well the boy knows Russian, since there are 5-year-old children who speak Russian fluently and don’t need the Soroka course.
One of the ways in which my Soroka course helps you to teach Russian as a foreign language to children is through its use of the Oral Approach. The order of work that is followed is: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
In your letters you often write that it is very difficult for your students to repeat the same thing several times.
I understand them since I myself do not like doing it; therefore, we need to come up with something to make it exciting for them.
For example, I like to use toy people and animals as helpers and talk to them as if they are real and we’re having a conversation:
Continue reading “Toys Help to Learn Russian”I’m sure you’ll agree that a picture is worth a thousand words.
In the “Soroka” course, directions are extremely useful.
Let’s use the recipe for your favorite soup as an example. If you don’t follow the directions, it will turn out different. It might be not very tasty — or, on the other hand, it could be absolutely delicious.
Another example would be traffic laws. If you don’t follow them, you’ll very likely have a hard time driving from point A to point B.
Or instructions for operating, say, the latest smartphone that comes with previously unimaginable features.
A couple of years ago, I created a YouTube channel to provide extra guidance in teaching the Soroka lessons. My goal with this channel is to help teachers and parents have a better understanding of the Soroka books, so that teaching your kids can become part of your routine. On my channel I address the different techniques that can be used, and why they are important in the learning process. My videos cover techniques such as drilling and the oral approach; as well as my response to letters and questions that I have received. All videos are in Russian and English subtitles are available. Turn them on if they are not turned on automatically.
Continue reading “SorokaDigital YouTube Channel”Language Focus:
НЕТ – No
Пожалуйста, встаньте! – Please stand up!
Стой! – Stop!
Review/Warm-up
Review the phrases of greetings and introduction. Address some students with the following words: “Привет, я … Как тебя зовут?”
LANGUAGE FOCUS:
“Алфавит (строчные буквы).” (Alphabet, lowercase letters)
Words, Phrases, and Translation:
Входите, пожалуйста! – Come in, please!
Молодец! – Well done!
Все вместе! – All together!
Кто это? – Who is that?
Это Ваня. – This is Vanya.
Continue reading “Parent's Manual. Unit 1 Lesson 2”
The “Sarafan” book series is the next level after the “Soroka: Russian for Kids” series, designed to follow the Soroka 3 level. It is presented in the same format: a Student’s Book, Activity Book and Teacher’s Book, all of which dovetail with each other.
Language Focus:
“Introduction, greetings, and saying ‘Goodbye’
Words, Phrases, and Translation:
Привет, я Вика. – Hello, I am Vika.
Как тебя зовут? – What is your name?
Пока! – Bye!
Смотри(те)! – Look!
Слушай(те)! – Listen!
Continue reading “Parent's Manual. Unit 1 Lesson 1”In the manual, you are going to find lesson planning. Partially it is going to be the same as it is in the Soroka 1 manual for teachers. For this manual, I did not include the exercises/activities that can be completed in a group setting. Furthermore, I would like to note that the difference will be that the manual, which you are reading now, is geared toward individual/one-on-one lessons with children regardless of whether the parents or teachers conduct the lessons. However, I am going to focus my attention on parents, for they have less experience and need to be guided/assisted more.
We set up the goals. Now let us look at the schedule. I am going to describe an individual situation, and it is up to you to apply it to yourself, agreed? Examine your schedule and the schedule of your child. When are you both free and when can you both sit down and study in a peaceful manner? It is necessary to have this time when nobody disturbs and bothers you. Do you have this time during the week? Mark it on your calendar. I would like you to study 2- 3 times a week, about 35-40 minutes every time. It is not necessary to make the lessons long. First, you do not have time, and second, your child gets tired. Your language lessons must be on a regular basis in accordance with the schedule. Remember to have short and frequent lessons
Continue reading “Manual for Parents. Part 2”