FSI Russian FAST Course Lessons 1-5

by Foreign Service Institute

The F.A.S.T (Familiarization And Short Term) course is designed to prepare students for life in Russia (and the Newly Independent States of the Former Soviet Union) by giving them the necessary basic skills in the language. We want you to leave here with the ability to face, withouthesitation, any number of situations you will encounter in day-to-day life inthose cities where you will live, work and visit. Some of the skills we willhelp you to acquire include the The ability to ask simple questions pertaining to your daily practical needs. You will need to know HOW to get something done, HOW to elicit necessary information.2. The ability to understand key words in the answers to your questions. You will learn to use those key words in your own speech.3. The ability to work with numbers (as used in prices, phone numbers, addresses, etc.), especially the larger numbers which are in use 1,000 and above. Most importantly, you will learn to recognize and understand these numbers when you encounter them, either in written or in spoken form. You will also be able to produce simple number combinations of your own (your address, your telephone number, etc.)4. The ability to read and understand street signs, signs in the metro and other forms of transportation, in stores, hotels, etc. You will be able to read and decipher such things as concert theater programs, menus, instructions for guests in hotels, rules for using public transport, hours of operation of various establishments, etc.5. You will become familiar with the telephone and be able to handle many types of different calls.6. The ability to introduce yourself, and others when necessary; to appropriately greet people and to distinguish between different levels of formality and informality in the language. You will be able to speak about yourself, your family, your interests and work and be able to ask your friends and colleagues the same.7. Finally, you will become familiar with Russia (and other NIS countries, whenever possible), its geography, history, politics, art and literature.

194 pages, Paperback

Published March 24, 2020