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Speaking · A1–C1·говоре́ние

Russian speaking practice: role-plays

Six short conversations, from ordering tea to persuading a client. Your partner speaks first; you read your task, answer out loud, then reveal a model answer to compare. Speaking aloud, even alone, is what turns grammar you know into Russian you can use.

6 role-plays18 turnsModel answers with audio
Что бу́дете зака́зывать? 1 · YOUR PARTNER SPEAKS Order tea and cake… 2 · YOU ANSWER ALOUD Чай, пожа́луйста, и кусо́к то́рта. 3 · COMPARE WITH THE MODEL
Each turn has three steps. Your answer does not need to match the model; it needs to do the job.
Survival phrases
A1 · Ordering in a caféA2 · Asking the wayB1 · At the doctor’sB1 · A complaint at the hotelB2 · Giving your opinionC1 · Persuading a client

Survival phrases

When you are stuck, these keep the conversation going instead of falling silent. Learn them first. The same techniques work in English; see our guides to public speaking and presentations.

ты · tyfriends, family, children, pets Повтори́, пожа́луйста.paf-ta-REE, pa-ZHA-lus-ta · “Say it again, please.” вы · vystrangers, older people, officials, if unsure Повтори́те, пожа́луйста.paf-ta-REE-tye, pa-ZHA-lus-ta · same meaning, polite
Adding -те turns any command into the polite (or plural) form. With someone you have just met, start with вы; they will tell you if they prefer ты (Давай на ты, “let’s use ты”).
A1

В кафе́

Ordering in a café
Scene: a café in MoscowYou are: a customerPartner: Официа́нт
Официа́нт Hello! What would you like to order?
Your turn: say it aloud Order a tea and a piece of cake.
Официа́нт Black or green?
Your turn: say it aloud Say green, without sugar.
Официа́нт Anything else?
Your turn: say it aloud Say no, and ask for the bill.
Revise:
Food vocabulary →Phrases →
A2

Как пройти́?

Asking the way
Scene: Nevsky Prospect, St PetersburgYou are: a touristPartner: Прохо́жий
Прохо́жий Yes, how can I help?
Your turn: say it aloud Ask how to get to the Hermitage.
Прохо́жий Go straight along Nevsky, then right.
Your turn: say it aloud Ask whether it is far and if you can walk.
Прохо́жий About ten minutes on foot.
Your turn: say it aloud Thank them warmly.
Revise:
City vocabulary →Prefixed verbs of motion (дойти́) →
B1

У врача́

At the doctor’s
Scene: a GP’s surgeryYou are: a patientPartner: Врач
Врач What seems to be the problem?
Your turn: say it aloud Say you have had a headache and a temperature since yesterday.
Врач What temperature did you take?
Your turn: say it aloud Say 38.5.
Врач I’ll prescribe you some medicine.
Your turn: say it aloud Ask how many times a day to take it.
Revise:
Health vocabulary →Numbers →
B1

Жа́лоба в гости́нице

A complaint at the hotel
Scene: hotel receptionYou are: a guestPartner: Администра́тор
Администра́тор How can I help?
Your turn: say it aloud Complain politely that your room is noisy because it faces the road.
Администра́тор Unfortunately we have almost no free rooms.
Your turn: say it aloud Ask whether something can be done, perhaps tomorrow.
Администра́тор Tomorrow I can offer you a room overlooking the courtyard.
Your turn: say it aloud Accept and thank them for understanding.
Revise:
Travel vocabulary →Particles (ли) →
B2

Ва́ше мне́ние

Giving your opinion
Scene: a discussion groupYou are: a participantPartner: Веду́щий
Веду́щий What do you think about working from home?
Your turn: say it aloud Say it has both pluses and minuses.
Веду́щий And what are the pros?
Your turn: say it aloud Give one: no time lost travelling.
Веду́щий And the cons?
Your turn: say it aloud Say that you miss contact with colleagues.
Revise:
Writing: linking words →Emotions (скуча́ть, не хвата́ет) →
C1

Убеди́ть клие́нта

Persuading a client
Scene: a business meetingYou are: a project managerPartner: Клие́нт
Клие́нт We’re not sure this project will pay for itself.
Your turn: say it aloud Acknowledge their doubts, then say it will pay off within two years.
Клие́нт And what if the deadlines slip?
Your turn: say it aloud Say you have a backup plan for that case.
Клие́нт All right, send over the details.
Your turn: say it aloud Promise to send them by Friday.
Revise:
Business Russian →Official style →
Next level · C1 to C2Debate, discussion and presentations Discussion moves, native discourse markers, presentation phrases and three timed tasks →