leosmith wrote:I'd be curious to see how she handles aspect. So many teachers try to convince us that it's simple, when it's actually extremely complicated..
Все просто, очень просто
Like so many others, as you said...Watch the video until the end, if you have time.
I've even read on Italki the magical formula: to choose the aspect, ask yourself что делать or что сделать ?
About the aspect in particular and the russian verbal system in general, I've found the books of Караванов very useful: Виды русского глагола (pdf floating around): the book gives 75 rules illustrated by simple exercises (no keys, but you don't need them). They are all sold out unfortunately, the book about verbs of motion is also rather good, imho.
Once you've read Виды русского глагола, you see the great tendencies of the system (action completed or not, negation or not, general or particular case) throught a ton of exemples, but when it comes to choosing the aspect when you write or speak, it's still difficult especially at the infinitive and imperative moods (it's generally easier at the past tense).
In fact, when you hesitate, the best way to choose the aspect is often to ask yourself "did I already heard that said by a native speaker ?", you'll make less mistakes that way than trying to apply a particular rule learned in a book.