115 – Back to School, Russian Style

115 – Back to School, Russian Style

Author: Daria Molchanova September 1, 2026 Duration: 15:27

Let's talk about September 1st in Russia, also known as the Day of Knowledge.

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Here is the transcript:

Первое сентября в России называют Днём знаний. Это первый день нового учебного года. В этот день школьники идут в школу после летних каникул. Многие дети приходят в красивой одежде: мальчики часто в рубашках, девочки в платьях или блузках. Учителя тоже готовятся к этому дню заранее.

Во многих школах утром проходит торжественная линейка. Ученики стоят во дворе школы, слушают директора, учителей и музыку. Первоклассники часто приходят с большими букетами цветов. Для них это очень важный день, потому что они идут в школу первый раз.

После линейки обычно начинается первый урок. Часто это не обычный урок математики или русского языка, а разговор о школе, дружбе, планах и будущем. Для родителей первое сентября тоже важный день. Они фотографируют детей, волнуются и иногда вспоминают, как сами когда-то ходили в школу.

Translation:

September first in Russia is called the Day of Knowledge. It is the first day of the new school year. On this day, schoolchildren go to school after summer vacation. Many children come in nice clothes: boys often wear shirts, and girls wear dresses or blouses. Teachers also prepare for this day in advance.

In many schools, there is a formal assembly in the morning. Students stand in the schoolyard and listen to the principal, teachers, and music. First-graders often come with big bouquets of flowers. For them, this is a very important day, because they are going to school for the first time.

After the assembly, the first lesson usually begins. Often it is not a regular math or Russian language lesson, but a conversation about school, friendship, plans, and the future. For parents, September first is also an important day. They take pictures of their children, feel nervous, and sometimes remember how they themselves once went to school.

⸻

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Slow Russian Podcast Transcript and audio download for $20 – https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/courses/slowrussian

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UNDERSTANDING RUSSIA (new cultural course, no knowledge of Russian language required) –

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Daria Molchanova’s Slow Russian offers a patient, accessible path to understanding spoken Russian. As an experienced teacher, Daria structures each episode around clear, deliberately paced conversation, removing the common hurdle of native speed that can overwhelm learners. The core of this podcast is its namesake pace: spoken Russian delivered slowly enough to follow, yet naturally enough to feel authentic. Each segment typically includes a vocabulary breakdown, where key words and phrases are explained in context, turning listening practice into a direct lesson. Beyond grammar and pronunciation, Daria weaves in observations on Russian culture, traditions, and the nuances of daily life, providing the contextual glue that makes language stick. It’s designed for those who want to move beyond textbooks and engage with the rhythm and substance of the language in a manageable way. The result is a learning tool that feels less like a lecture and more like a guided tour of the Russian language, building comprehension and confidence with each slow-spoken episode. You can find more resources and episodes on the podcast’s main website.
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