Nach so einer langen Pause wäre es vielleicht besser, alles erneut zu lernen, als ob Sie ein Anfänger wären. Im Prozess kann man sich an Vieles erinnern und das Material besser zu verstehen. Anderseits ist dieser Weg lang und langweilig. Die andere Variante ist zu verstehen, was man schon kann. Man kann zum Beispiel Gesprochenes oder Gelesenes gut verstehen, aber sich schlecht mündlich oder schriftlich äußern. Wichtig auch ist, was man will und braucht. Wenn man nur Zeitungen lesen will, ergibt es keinen Sinn, das Hörverstehen zu üben. Aber dieser Weg ist auch langweilig. Ich kombiniere die beiden Varianten. Es geht...

Herr Matthias, the best way for you is to start talk with natives. Last year I met a man who lernt Russian in school 30-40 years before (he was Pole). We spent time great talking about everything on Russian-Polish))) and he refreshed his Russian very fast. Also the good idea is to learn 3-5 new words everyday. After six month there will be 540-900. Good level I think. So my answer is practice, practice and practice. Right now))

1. To spend one month learning (or to refresh) common phrases and words using memrise.com (for example) The goal 1000 (it's possible there) (free) Then... 2. To find someone for language exchanging. The best way to learn is to teach someone. (free) And... 3. To read short stories of the best modern Russian writers like Veller, Davlatov, Pikul or someone else. You can find their books on the Internet free. And... 4. To text the best jokes by Skype to me. It's good for you and funny for me)))) One day - one joke. Sunday is a day off))) I will correct them. And... One year and you will talk like Russian)))) Good luck!

I think you should start from what is left in your memory and it will pull out a lot more of what you think you don't even have in mind. Just start with someone and your tutor will help you to progress. Good Luck and happy Russian! :-)

I'm absolutely sure there is a lot of Russian in your head! Just find a person to talk to and start talking - the more the better! And no need to start from the very beginning, believe me, I know what I'm talking about, I've taught people who studied Russian years ago and then decided to start learning the language again.