Of course darling! I have been self teaching Swedish for seven months now and I am learning more than some friends who are taking classes!
The key here is to incorporate Russian or German (or both) in to all areas of life.
Not only have websites been helpful but these are crucial! (at least for me).
Music- for pronounciation! Search up the type(s) of music you fancy and then the language. So something like,
"Russian artists like (and then your favourite band or artist) Or, "Russian indie artists"
Music in the language(s) of your desire also help with learning words! Words that I have heard in a Swedish song at least once stick with me. When you are reading the translation of the lyrics that helps too, but I try to recognise words with out having to look it up. I try to understand first.
Russian music will give you a lot, trust me you will enjoy : )
PS: I learnt common phrases first. Hi, bye, the numbers zero to ten. And then I learnt the alphabet. And from there, began to read a lot on my own.
Television : Not only watching things like interviews with your favourite Russian artists, but children's shows as well! After all, we are trying to learn these languages like children do. Through exposure and repeated sounds and words, etcetera. Oh, almost forgot! I often watch shows and interviews that happen to have the subtitles for me in Swedish! This is very helpful because I can read as I hear it and it sticks better...and because my reading skills are better than my hearing skills. Ha ha : )
Post Notes: I did this with paper. Before I got the small note papers, I wrote words on a piece of paper, ripped it off, and kept them in a stack known as "most forgotten words". Then when I got the note papers, any words I kept forgetting I would write down and put it on my wall in my room. Seeing the word everyday forced me to think of its meaning. This method definitely helps with forgetting. Another thing people do is stick notes on objects. So the word for door in Russian on your bathroom door. And etcetera with other things : )
Podcasts: Podcasts help better your hearing skills. It might be frustrating or seem pointless because at first you will probably only understand Hello at the beginning and good bye at the end. But as you continue your language journey you will realise that you recognise more words here and there every time.
Videos: Youtube and websites like LearnRussian, or Russianpod101 are great! Search any language and Pod101 has it. pod101 also has videos on Youtube for any language so..yes : )
The last things are journals and pen pals.
At first, I used a translator. Though of course I realised I wasn't benefiting much because I would read it later and couldn't understand what was supposed to be my self expression about my day or whatever it be. So if you decide to create a journal for Russian, use the words you know. You are always learning more, you will not be forever limited! I promise. Another thing to do is record yourself reading your journal entries! When you listen to yourself it will sound weird! Sometimes like you are speaking too fast to understand yourself, it is amazing : )
Pen Pals I have found by email exchange. mylanguageexchange.com is to find people to Skype with, and blog about your language journey : )
I have seen way too many polyglots, people that speak 3 languages or more, to believe that someone can not be fluent on their own! Search Benny Lewis in google or youtube, he speaks more than 3. And there are many more like him that have many videos.
I believe it is better to learn a good enough amount, then go to the country. Imagine not knowing even the alphabet or not being able to better your conversational skills because you are at rock bottom?
I know this was long! I apologise, though I do hope I at least helped a little.
I am getting to a point where English and Swedish get mixed up sometimes. If I am writing or spelling something, especially out loud.
When this starts to happen it's a very good thing! A sign of becoming bilingual. You are starting to think in the other language! Very good. Always strive to learn more than the day before. And especially the week before! Please don't be a forever beginner.
If you would like to Skype or email about Russian, that would be great! I decided to learn Russian along with Swedish a little bit ago, so if you would like to learn and talk together, then amazing : ) Lycka Till (Good luck)
-Elizabeth