Multimedia in Russian

[Gerald Sabo]

Dear Irene,
        You may very well have these, but I would recommend Transparent
Language, Russian Now! Version 5.0 with related Word Ace and Grammar Pro.  The
Educational Packet would be a good purchase.  You can call the company's
eight-hundred number--1-800-752-1767 and ask for Shannon Lougee.  I have spoken
with her a number of times.  I think you could get a pack for something under
ninety-five dollars.  This program allows a variety of uses.  The address is
Transparent Language/22 Proctor Hill Road/P.O. Box 575/Hollis, NH  03049-0575.
They have a web site: www.transparent.com   Ask them for their latest
catalogue.  For the first-year Russian I use The Most Common Words in Russian
dialogues.  There are other possibilities.
        Also, the CD-Rom Hello Russia! managed and co-created by John Nyenhuis,
an engineering professor at Purdue University, who established OKSoftware,
Inc./P.O. Box 3029/West Lafayette, Indiana 47906-0582.  They have a web
site--www.mdn.com/oksoftware/    Version 2.0 is good and I sue a variety of
materials on that one.  I have spoken with John and also written to him by
e-mail.  He would probably remember me.
        I am afraid that other CD-Rom/computer programs for Russian are
disappointing--I am not sure about Smartlink in Los Angeles--how effective it
can be.  Some colleagues and I looked it over--that is, did some reviewing--
and had misgivings for our program here.  The Russian Tutor by a German
company with offices in Florida was also disappointing and quite expensive.
        There are some cultural CD-Roms that might be of value, but that's
probably different from what you are seeking.
        Finally, I am using the McGraw-Hill textbook Nachalo, When in Russia
for which a CD-Rom related component is being prepared--They have one in French
and Spanish and that format will be used for Russian sometime in the future.  I
looked over with a French colleague their French CD-Rom, and she liked it.
Apparently, educational people from Michigan were consulted in creating the
CD-Rom for McGraw-Hill.
        I am presuming you are aware of the web-site at the University of
Pittsburgh which has links to numerous other sites with pedagogical materials
in the Slavic area.  Actually, the computer only program Russian Grammar Review
from I forget who at the University of Alabama or somewhere there is okay.  We
have a site license here my university.  Also the video for the McGraw-Hill
book and related exercise book is also good multimedia, outside-of-class
material.
        I hesitate to write any more lest I repeat what you may already know or
have.  I hope this helps.
I was just thinking of that 1989 NEH the other day, as I was cleaning out stuff
and came across our group picture--eight years.
        I hope you are enjoying your time away from professorial employment and
are enjoying your independent work status.
        Best wishes and let us know on Seelangs where we can access your
evaluation or data.
        Oh yes, Prentice-Hall has put their French textbook on their website
which is ever updated, and may have done so for their Russian materials.  I
don't know, but worth checking.

                  Jerry Sabo//GSABO at JCVAXA.JCU.EDU