Unconventional New Russian Textbook Uses Sarcasm and a Detective Plot to Make Learning the Language Fun

LONDON, January 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

An innovative and unconventional textbook aimed at revolutionising the language-learning process for adults is getting rave reviews before it is even on sale.

Author Ignaty Dyakov, a professional Russian language teacher with a Master's degree in Linguistics, was inspired to write a detective story that would also teach useful vocabulary and grammar structures after some of his business clients complained that existing text books were boring and had no relation to real life.

'The Story Sensation: for learners of the Russian language (and not only for Guadeloupians!)' is the result, containing approximately 800 words that are crucial for everyday communication, repeated in the text several time in different contexts and weaved into a detective story which pits a banker at the Guadeloupe national bank who loves singing and his yellow woollen scarf, against the evil Mr Schyokin who represents a major organisation aiming to control most of the world's governments and finance.

Mr Dyakov said: "The story is completely fictional, with fictional characters and scenery, full of sarcasm and jokes with a mockery of stereotypes. I wrote it as an aid to making the Russian language study process a little bit more bearable for adult learners.

"I wish to stress that by no means can it be seen as a substitute for the classical language textbook but I humbly hope that it can become a useful and enjoyable supplement to the course materials for Elementary and Pre-Intermediate levels."

The innovative and unusual textbook technique has already received much acclaim from eminent Russian specialists.

Richard Royal, chairman of the UK's Westminster Russia Forum, said: "This is a very unique and original approach to language learning; it gives the reader useful everyday words and phrases in the context of a compelling story that makes you want to read and learn more. A real change from the norm of formal boring language books," while Dr Alexander Zdanevich, Director of the Russian Centre of Science and Culture in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, called it "a brilliant debut!," adding:  "No doubt this textbook will be extremely useful to the learners of the Russian language who are also interested in the current state of Russia, its history, culture, and people."

Mr Dyakov is a Russian who came to the UK in 2008 and founded Russia Local Ltd, (http://www.russialocal.co.uk), which provides linguistic support for companies planning to expand in Russia, including Russian language training, translation and marketing services and business consulting. 'The Story Sensation: for learners of the Russian language (and not only for Guadeloupians!)', is published in association with Russia Local Ltd and five per cent of all proceeds will go to support the SOS Children's Village, an orphanage in Leningrad region, Russia.

Words cover common and useful topics such as food, politics, office life, clothes, sports, transport and business, as well as some common Russian set expressions and proverbs and quotes from famous songs.

Much of the book is conducted in dialogues, and there are lists of new words in every chapter as well as a concise Russian-English dictionary at the end. The story is written in slightly simplified Russian, to aid recognising and memorising grammar structures, and there are questions and/or grammar exercises at the end of each chapter.

'The Story Sensation: for learners of the Russian language (and not only for Guadeloupians!)', illustrated by Gregg Ink http://www.greggink.com, is available on Amazon in the UK, Europe and the US as well as in selected book-stores worldwide.

The official Facebook page is http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rasskaz-Sensatsiya-Russian-language-textbook/215179905285516

About the author

Ignaty Dyakov is a professional Russian language teacher with Master's degrees in Linguistics and The Political Economy of Russia. Originally from St Petersburg he came to London in 2008 where some time later he established Russia Local Ltd., a language-based consultancy which helps international businesses expand in Russia. Russian language training is where the company started and is still a core element of the business. Ignaty's clients are now based in the UK, France, Luxembourg, China, Hong Kong and Russia. They come from all walks of life and work in different areas, e.g. finance and banking, law, architecture, politics and administration. Ignaty's first-hand experience of running a business helps him better understand their needs and requirements. Nevertheless, he continuously develops his skills and this is recognised by the number of awards he has received which include scholarships and grants named after the Russian President and Government, awards from the Ministry for Science and Education and 'Interros' investment fund, as well as a Shell LiveWire 'Grand Ideas' award. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Linguistics and the Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurship (UK).

Ignaty has been featured in The Times, The Guardian, interviewed by Thomson Reuters, The Voice of Russia, REN TV and BBC Radio 5 Live. He is an eager speaker on doing business in Russia and the Russian language matters; he is frequently invited to talk on different occasions.

Further praise for 'The Story Sensation: for learners of the Russian language (and not only for Guadeloupians!)',

"Unconventional material… Specifics of the pedagogical technology suggested by the author are based on the text principle and oriented at active learning and development of the creative language personality… The work laudably impresses and can be used as a textbook for foreign learners."

Prof Lyudmila Verbitskaya, the President of the International Association of Teachers of the Russian language and literature, President of St Petersburg State University

"Outstanding education from a highly qualified, intelligent and pleasant individual." Peter Mantel, Vice-MD, Transas

Editor's note:

For further information about the book, interview requests or for hi-res images, Ignaty Dyakov can be contacted at [email protected].

SOURCE Russia Local Ltd