Aspects of the Audio lingua Method are called to bear in the early stages of the book. This methodology emphasises the use of repetition and therefore habit formation. During these early encounters with the language aspects of repetition to form habits is encouraged. It is important to memorise Russian sentences and phrases… which are supported by understanding in English. Comparison of Russian and English texts will definitely contribute to the expansion of the vocabulary for communication in Russian.

It is worth mentioning another positive characteristics to this text. The author includes all sorts of dictionaries, all to the advantage of the learner. We have among the dictionaries given the explanatory dictionary of the Russian language, dictionaries of synonyms as well as antonyms, the dictionary of phraseological units, the terminological dictionaries, which are in sections such as medical, technical etc. Learning how to use a dictionary is a good starting point to language mastery.

As they say, speaking a bit of the language of the country you are visiting is always a good idea. Locals will appreciate the effort and will respond positively. This text provides the language to use in various practical situations; these include the home situation where for example all the expected activities around the home are covered – from breakfast through to dinner. In between family time, the parents with the children at the play, in the garden – all aspects are covered and in such detail.

The dialogues suggested are phenomenon in their coverage, given both in Russian and in English with such details. Also given in both Russian and English is language as you would need to use at the Railway station, at the Airport and the shop… The learner is never left stranded in whatever situation they find themselves. That is how thorough the book is.

Having ploughed through the text, the course, and now armed with an appreciable knowledge of the Russian language, the learner is given interesting questions in English, but they are expected to answer them in Russian. The author here uses aspects of the communicative approach. This approach is in a way a culmination of the foregoing methods. In this approach focus is on learner ability to communicate various functions, such as asking and answering stated questions, making requests, describing certain actions, narrating given situations and making comparisons. The communicative approach is achieved through task assignment and problem solving – the two key components of critical thinking. The strength of this approach is that learning happens in a context. Grammar is not taught in isolation, but in practical situations. Error correction is not emphasised (and this removes anxiety from the learner), as the understanding is that learners will naturally achieve accuracy through frequent use of, and communicating in the language rather than analysing it.

Teach culture alongside the language. This is strength of this text. Teaching communication is not enough in itself, exposure to the culture from which the language springs, will help the learners not just appreciate the real meaning of the words they are learning, but learn the language with relative ease. The inclusion of the proverbs and sayings of the wise, and its comparison to counterpart proverbs and sayings of the wise in important English speaking countries – Britain and America is highly appreciated. This is the culturological strategy the author recommends. The textbook combines Russian language teaching and intensive acquaintance with the Russian culture.