Alphabet for Bilinguals
Russian alphabet with pronunciation and exercises
- Free ABCs for children aged 4 and up who are growing up abroad and learning Russian as a second language
Free alphabet for children aged 4 and up, who are growing up abroad and learning Russian as a second language
- All 33 letters with pronunciation through familiar English sounds
- Exercises and games—from «familiar» letters to the most complex
- PDF - easy to save or print
Why is Cyrillic difficult for bilinguals
A lot of parents think: «A child hears Russian spoken at home, so they'll learn the alphabet on their own.».
But Cyrillic is a separate skill, that doesn't appear on its own.
The main trap for bilinguals:
- Half the letters look like Latin letters, but sound different—and that's confusing
- The child can already read in English and confuses «P» and «R», «H» and «N», «B» and «V».»
- Without a system, letters don't combine into syllables – and interest quickly fades
This alphabet is designed specifically for bilinguals: each sound is explained through English – without fear or confusion.
Frequently Asked Questions
From what age can you use the alphabet?
The alphabet book is designed for children aged 4 and up. The exercises progress from simple to complex, making it suitable for very young children just learning their letters, as well as older children who need to reinforce pronunciation.
Will it be okay if the child doesn't speak Russian at all?
Yes, it's designed precisely for children like that. Every sound is explained through familiar English words – the child hears something familiar and stops being afraid of «incomprehensible scribbles.» No prior knowledge of Russian is required.
Cyrillic is more difficult for bilinguals than for children in Russia.
Because a bilingual person already knows how to read in English. They see «Р» and automatically read «P,» they see «Н» and read «H.» This alphabet specifically breaks down these «trick letters» and explains the difference in sounds.
How to study the alphabet at home?
It's better to do 2-3 letters a day, without rushing. First, familiarize yourself with the letter chart, then do the exercises with your child. Praise them for every attempt, even unsuccessful ones. The sessions last 10-15 minutes.
Is it really free?
Yes, the alphabet is available for free in PDF format. You can save it to your device or print it out. The authors recommend hanging the alphabet chart on the refrigerator or near your child's desk.
What to do after a child learns the letters?
Knowing the letters is only the first step. Next come syllables, soft and hard consonants, reading words and sentences. These steps are harder to take at home by yourself – the alphabet has information about a free trial lesson with a teacher.
We'll send the alphabet via messenger and email.
