I'm working on a book about living abroad and cultural differences.
The first story "Time" is being revised.
Another Weekend of Hunting is chapter 4 from my book.
Marta comes near the end of book one.

Expect the Unexpected

In these podcasts, I will provide some guidance to English vowel pronunciation and sentence speaking patterns.  These are for B1 to C1 students who want to be better understood or take the IELTS.

Accelerate your English Pronunciation with Ralph

These podcasts are for anyone who is preparing for the IELTS.
There will be a variety of lengths of podcasts featuring advice for some aspect of the Speaking test. 

Accelerate Your IELTS Speaking with Ralph

Three Russian tongue twisters specifically designed to make your pronunciation clearer! 
Try repeating after me. First time I’m reading slowly, second time closer to real speech speed.

собирАла маргарИта маргарИтки на горЕ, растерЯла маргарИта маргарИтки во дворЕ. (р,г)

из кУзова в кУзов шла перегрУзка арбУзов. в грозУ в грязИ от грУза арбУзов развалИлся кУзов. (з,в)

в шалашЕ шуршИт шелкАми жЁлтый дЕрвиш из алжИра и, жонглИруя ножАми, штУку кУшает инжИра. (ш,ж)

These tongue twisters focus on various Russian sounds. Try to articulate them as clearly as possible. Let's focus on accuracy rather than speed. Good luck!


Russian with Elina

Russian tongue twisters - part 7 

Three Russian tongue twisters specifically designed to make your pronunciation clearer! 
Try repeating after me. First time I’m reading slowly, second time closer to real speech speed.

цАпля чАхла, цАпля сОхла, цАпля вЫсохла и сдОхла. (ц,х)

в нЕдрах тУндры вЫдры в гЕтрах тЫрят в вЁдра Ядра кЕдров. вЫдрав с вЫдры в тУндре гЕтры, вЫтру вЫдрой Ядра кЕдра, вЫтру гЕтрой вЫдре мОрду – Ядра в вЁдра, вЫдру в тУндру. (т,д,р)

шла сАша по шоссЕ, неслА сУшку на шестЕ и сосАла сУшку. (ш,с)

Good luck, and please focus on accuracy rather than speed :) 


Russian tongue twisters - part 6

New portion of Russian tongue twisters!
This time let’s specifically focus on really tricky Russian sounds that are confusing for many foreigners – [ч], [ш], [щ]. 
I'll recite each tongue twister twice: once at a slow pace and then gradually closer to a normal speed.

четЫре чЁрненьких чумАзеньких чертЁнка чертИли чЁрными чернИлами чертЁж чрезвычАйно чИсто. (ч,р)

сАша шУстро сУшит сУшки,
сУшек вЫсушил штук шесть,
и смешнО спешАт старУшки
сУшек сАшиных поЕсть. (ш,с)

хрящ хрустЯщий у щенкА, он хрустИт хрящОм покА. (щ,х)

Try to articulate them as clearly as possible, please don’t chase the speed. Good luck!


Russian tongue twisters - part 5

I invite you to check out 3 more Russian tongue twisters! 
Give it a shot and try repeating after me. I'll read each one twice: first slowly, and then closer to normal speed.

мАма мЫла мИлу мЫлом, мИла мЫло не любИла. (м,л) 

Ехал грЕка чЕрез рЕку, вИдит грЕка – в рекЕ рак. сУнул грЕка рУку в рЕку, рак за рУку грЕку – цап! (р,к)

былА у фролА, фролУ на лАвра навралА, пойдУ к лаврУ, на фролА лаврУ наврУ. (ф,л,в)

These tongue twisters focus on various Russian sounds. Try to articulate them as clearly as possible. Let's focus on accuracy rather than speed. Good luck!


Russian tongue twisters - part 4

Let's engage in a session of practicing Russian tongue twisters today! Tongue twisters serve as an excellent aid in refining your pronunciation, honing in on difficult sounds, and enhancing the pace of your speech, resulting in greater clarity.

Are you ready to give it a try? I'll recite each tongue twister twice: once at a slow pace and then gradually closer to a normal speed.

стоИт поп на копнЕ, колпАк на попЕ, копнА под попОм, поп под колпакОм. (п,к) 

шли сОрок мышЕй, неслИ шестнАдцать грошЕй, две мЫши поплОше неслИ по два грОша. (ш)

орЁл на горЕ, перО на орлЕ. горА под орлОм, орЁл под перОм. (Р,л)

These tongue twisters specifically target a variety of Russian sounds. Your goal is to enunciate them with utmost clarity. Remember, precision takes precedence over speed. Best of luck in your endeavor! Additionally, practicing tongue twisters can enhance your oral dexterity, further benefiting your language skills.

Russian tongue twisters - part 3

Today, let's try practicing some Russian tongue twisters! Tongue twisters are a fantastic tool for improving your pronunciation, focusing on challenging sounds, and increasing your speech speed, ultimately making it clearer.
Give it a shot and try repeating after me. I'll read each one twice: first slowly, and then closer to normal speed.

бык тупогУб, тупогУбенький бычОк, у быкА белА губА былА тупА. (б,п) 

Карл у КлАры укрАл корАллы, а КлАра у КАрла укрАла кларнЕт. (к,р,л)

на мелИ мы налИма ленИво ловИли, менЯли налИма вы мне на линЯ. о любвИ не менЯ ли вы мИло молИли, и в тумАны ЛимАна манИли менЯ. (л,м,н)

These tongue twisters focus on various Russian sounds. Try to articulate them as clearly as possible. Let's focus on accuracy rather than speed. Good luck!