In this brief retelling of the fairy tale about Six Brothers under a magical spell and made to live as Swans, we look at a few different kinds of commonly used phrases so that we can understand them in context.

A Stone's Throw Podcast

The Six Swans

Dear Russian language students and teachers!

Here is another 1-minute audio for your better understanding of a common situation as doing grocery shopping in a supermarket. It comes in handy when you are in a Russian supermarket where staff usually don't speak English or any other foreign language.

Good luck!

Elena.

1-minute Survival Russian for Travelling (A1-A2)

Как покупать продукты в супермаркете_How to do a grocery shopping in a supermarket

Hello, dear Russian language students and teachers!

Phoebe from "Friends" once said: "Oh, I wish I could come, but I don't want to" 
Фиби из "Друзей" однажды сказала: "Ой, я бы с удовольствием пришла, но не хочу" 

:)

Как вежливо отказываться от приглашений_How to politely decline an invitation

Всем привет!
Hello, everyone!
Salut, les amis!

Being a French language learner I am always eager to make an order in a restaurant myself without any help of a menu in English (if such exists). Moreover, I need to be very precise about a terrible allergy I have. Otherwise… no more learning, or teaching, or going to restaurants for your teacher Elena 😊. 

Как делать заказ в ресторане_How to make an order in a restaurant

That could  be the first and most important thing to many of us when we come to a new city, a new country. Find a good coffee shop and get a damn fine cup of coffee. Let’s learn how to do that in Russian.

Ваш преподаватель и кофеиновый трудоголик, 
Елена

Как заказывать кофе в кофейне_How to order coffee in a coffee shop

Всем привет!
Hello, Russian Language Learners!
Salut, les amis!

This is 1-minute (or so) podcast on Survival Phrases when you need to buy some medicine in a pharmacy. We all may have headaches or stomachaches on a trip. Even though you might already know how to do shopping in Russian or ask for directions but if you are not well, it’s a relief when you know what to say to the pharmacist in the nearest pharmacy. (Believe me, it’s on every corner!)  
A piece of advice! Check on the internet Russian analogs of medicine that you are used to buy in your home country. 

Ваш иногда страдающий от мигрени преподаватель, Елена.


Как покупать лекарство в аптеке_How to buy medicine in a pharmacy

Всем привет!

If you are already in Russia and enjoying the trip you might want to start making acquaintances with locals. Here is the list of the phrases that will come in handy. Learn them by heart and that will be a great start for keeping up the conversation. 
Remember, Russian people are so happy when they hear Russian speech from a foreigner, they will instantly warm up and help you to continue the conversation.

Ваш преподаватель и путешественница,
Елена

Как завести и поддержать разговор/How to start and keep the conversation going

Dear Russian language learners!

Here is a list of phrases you will might need when you go to a cafe or a restaurant in Russia. It includes not only a request for a check/a bill but also some phrases that you need when you want to share a bill among the participants of the dinner (go dutch) or you feel you would like to pay for the whole dinner yourself.

Ваш преподаватель и любительница русских ресторанов,
Елена

Как оплачивать счёт в ресторане/How to pay a bill in a restaurant

Dear Russian language learners!

If you travel to big cities in Russia - Moscow, Saint Petersburg or my native hometown Ekaterinburg (by the way it's absolutely beautiful and clean) you will need to buy a ticket (or a token) to use it. When buying a metro ticket you will absolutely need to use Russian language. 
Piece of advice: check online what type of tickets exist at the moment, plan which one is best for you and go exploring! 

Ваш преподаватель и поклонница поездок на метро,
Елена