“I improved so much in just a few lessons!” – an online student’s testimony
Online learning has enabled us all to try new things that previously we wouldn’t have thought possible. Learning languages has definitely been a skill that many have decided to pick up during this past year, and for some, it has opened the door to a whole new world. With its group classes and inventive methods, Liden & Denz has definitely cracked the method of teaching Russian from home. Learners of all ages around the world have been loving the classes. This week, we got in touch with online student Taylor to hear all about how she started learning Russian, her favourite thing about online learning and the Russian trip she’d like to take in the future.
Online student Taylor
Hi! Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Taylor, and I am from California, USA! I’m 22 years old and my degree is in Spanish Language and Literature. My native language is English, but I speak fluent Spanish and French, and have also studied Mandarin Chinese. I love learning languages!
How long have you been learning Russian?
I began studying Russian during Summer 2020. I found an old Russian grammar book and decided I wanted to make learning it my quarantine hobby. After studying by myself for a few months, I decided I wanted to take formal classes to get more practice.
What made you decide to learn Russian online at Liden & Denz?
Although my reading and writing skills were satisfactory after a few months of self-study, I really wanted to practice with native speakers and improve my pronunciation and listening skills. I obviously would have loved to come to study in-person at one of the Liden & Denz campuses in Russia or Latvia, but that was not a viable option due to COVID-19. I do plan on it one day, though!
What is your favourite thing about online learning?
That it connects so many people around the world who wouldn’t be able to meet each other otherwise! It was the coolest thing – I’d log on to my class at 10pm PST (Pacific Standard Time in Los Angeles), and get to speak Russian with my teacher in Saint Petersburg and my classmate in Moscow. We’d always laugh because it was morning there and close to my bedtime in California!
Do you have a favourite Russian word?
My favourite word is надежда, meaning “hope”. I like how, similar to in English, it is both a noun and a name, and sounds so lovely. If I had to choose a Russian name for myself, that would be it!
Have you been to Russia before? If not, would you like to go sometime in the future, and where would you like to go?
I have never been to Russia, but I’ve wanted to go since I was a child. My mother’s side of the family has Russian heritage and I’ve always thought Russian history to be so interesting and the culture so beautiful. My dream is to see Saint Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow in person one day – it’s absolutely breathtaking, even just in pictures! I would also love to take a trip from Moscow to Vladivostok on the Trans-Siberian Railway to get a sense of how vast the country really is, and maybe even make a few Russian friends on the way!
Saint Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow
What advice do you have for other Russian learners who are studying online?
Keep it up! I feel like if you’re unable to physically go to a Russian-speaking place, this is the next best thing. I’d encourage anyone to study with Liden & Denz because I improved so much in just a few lessons, so keep going and just think about how useful your skills will be when you finally get to travel!
Liden & Denz have a fantastic range of online classes for beginners and advanced speakers of Russian. To find out more about the courses on offer, take a look at the dedicated website for Online Courses at Liden & Denz.
