Recently, following a suggestion I had received from Daristani, I took a quick look at the textbook “Introductory Russian Grammar”, 2nd edition, by Galina Stillman and Catherine Davidovitch, published in 1972 by John Wiley & Sons. The publisher still maintains a website page for this title, where the “Student’s Laboratory Manual” and accompanying Audio Recordings are freely-available for download. I ended up purchasing a second-hand copy of the textbook and a copy of the “Teacher’s Laboratory Manual and Audio Script.”
Introductory Russian Grammar, 2nd edition
Rather than attempt to describe the contents and approach of this textbook myself, I am providing here a brief extract from the Preface: “This Russian text attempts to combine the advantages of the traditional approach to the study of a foreign language with certain features of the modern conversational, inductive method. Basic to this combined approach is the use of a great number and variety of pattern sentences: short, typical Russian sentences which can be used in different ways to provide concentrated and appropriate material for language analysis, reading, and drill. In addition to pattern sentences, have been provided with dialogues or readings, often with both … The vocabulary used is entirely contemporary, and in the choice of words an effort has been made to take into account indications of word-frequency count. Vocabulary reviews have been incorporated. The total vocabulary employed includes approximately 1,300 words. … The new text places more emphasis on Russian culture and geography…”
Combined Grammar and Audio-lingual Approach
It is fairly clear, from reading the above extract, that the audio-lingual approach was incorporated into this textbook which, as the title suggests, employs a more traditional grammar approach to teaching the fundamentals of a foreign language. Having skimmed over the textbook rather quickly, I find that the title is actually something of a misnomer. That is, while grammar is indeed the “driver” used throughout this textbook, given that it is a basic introduction to both the spoken and written forms of the language employing dialogues, readings, drills, and exercises, it could have just as easily been titled simply “Introductory Russian.”
Supplementary Materials
The following supplementary materials were published to support the textbook:
Student’s Laboratory Manual to Accompany Introductory Russian Grammar, 2nd edition (ISBN: 0-471-0096-7)
Teacher’s Laboratory Manual and Script to Accompany Introductory Russian Grammar, 2nd edition (ISBN: 0-471-00740)
Tapes (presumably audio cassette tapes)
The "Student’s Laboratory Manual" contains exercises and drills in support of the materials presented in the main textbook. In most (but not all) instances, a textual representation of the accompanying the audio recordings is presented; however, it does not present a complete tape script, nor does it contain an answer key, both of which are to be found in the "Teacher’s Laboratory Manual and Script."
The publisher, John Wiley & Sons, still maintains a website page for this title, where the “Student’s Laboratory Manual” and accompanying Audio Recordings are freely-available for download, both of which can be downloaded either by chapter number or as a complete set under the section “Browse by Resource”. LINK: (http://bcs.wiley.com/he-bcs/Books?action=contents&itemId=0471007382&bcsId=3053)
Shortly after receiving my second-hand copy of the Teacher’s Manual, I sent a message to the publisher, of which a partial extract follows: “I have prepared a PDF version of my copy of the “Teacher’s Laboratory Manual and Audio Script” that I propose sending to you so that you might include it amongst the “Student Recourses” that are already available on your website. My view is that, since the textbook was published over 45 years ago, there is little likelihood that making the “Teacher’s Laboratory Manual and Audio Script” available would have a negative effect on the company’s revenues. My sole purpose is to help John Wiley & Sons provide assistance to users of the aforementioned textbook.” Hopefully, the publisher will respond favourably to my offer.
Excellent Resource!
For those who respond well to the somewhat traditional grammar approach to teaching foreign languages and who can either appreciate the benefits of, or at least support the disadvantages of, the audio-lingual method, the combined package of “Introductory Russian Grammar” and the Supplementary Materials makes for a very interesting introduction to the Russian language. As all of the major grammatical issues of the target language are covered, an independent learner will have acquired a “theoretical” knowledge of Russian approaching the A2-B1 range. However, given the limited vocabulary (1,300 words), the actual level would be lower. Still, it would be a great place to start before launching oneself headlong into Assimil, et cetera. Addendum: Prices for used copies of the textbook are quite low.
While I am reasonably satisfied with the above post, it is extremely unlikely that I typed it without incurring several typographical errors, grammatical errors, and errors of style.
Addendum: My predication proved to be correct.