At school — Speaking

Welcome to your first Russian lesson! In this lesson you will learn the names of everyday objects and people you find at school. You will practise saying these words aloud and begin to feel confident producing basic Russian sounds. Listen carefully, repeat each word clearly, and enjoy your first steps in Russian!

Key sounds to practise: Russian has some sounds that do not exist in English. Pay special attention to the following: the rolled 'р' (like a gentle trill), the soft sign 'ь' (which softens the consonant before it), and the vowel 'ы' (a sound made deep in the mouth). When you see a word, always try to say it out loud. Start slowly, then build up speed. Your teacher will model each sound for you.

Useful classroom phrases: Learning a few short phrases will help you take part in lessons straight away. Practise saying these sentences clearly and loudly:

• Hello! — Привет! / Здравствуйте! • My name is… — Меня зовут… • I don't understand. — Я не понимаю. • Please repeat. — Повторите, пожалуйста. • Thank you! — Спасибо!

Pronunciation tip — stressed syllables: In Russian, one syllable in each word is stressed (said more strongly). The stressed vowel is pronounced longer and clearer, while unstressed vowels are reduced. For example, the word «учитель» (teacher) is stressed on the second syllable: у-ЧИ-тель. For now, your teacher will mark the stress for you. Focus on copying what you hear as closely as possible.

Чтение: Это моя школа. В классе есть парта, стул и доска. На столе лежат книга, тетрадь и ручка. Учитель стоит у доски. Ученики сидят за партами. Все слушают и пишут. Мне нравится мой класс. Здесь всегда интересно учиться!

Speaking activity — say and point: Look around your classroom. Can you find objects that match the Russian words you have just learned? Point to each object and say its Russian name aloud. For example, point to the board and say «доска». Then try to make a simple sentence: «Это доска.» (This is a board.) Practise with a partner — one person points, the other says the word.

Pronunciation drill — vowels: Russian has 10 vowel letters. At this stage, focus on six core vowels: А, О, У, Э, И, Ы. Say each one clearly:

• А — like 'a' in 'father' • О — like 'o' in 'more' • У — like 'oo' in 'moon' • Э — like 'e' in 'bed' • И — like 'ee' in 'meet' • Ы — no English equivalent; say 'и' but pull your tongue back

Now find these vowels in your vocabulary words and read them aloud.

Reflection — what did you learn today? Think about the following questions and discuss them with your teacher or partner:

1. Can you name five objects in your classroom in Russian?
2. Which Russian sound did you find the most difficult to pronounce?
3. Can you say 'Hello, my name is…' in Russian from memory?

Remember: making mistakes is a normal and important part of learning a new language. Be brave — speak up!