This comprehensive foundation textbook is expressly designed for students embarking on a Russian language programme. Accompanied by 5 hours of audio materials, it develops the four key language skills - reading, writing, speaking and listening - and provides all the material required to reach intermediate level either at secondary school or during the first year of university. Highly interactive and activity-based, the course puts students firmly at the centre of the learning process, developing their autonomy as learners. It provides: thorough grounding in the grammar and structures of contemporary Russian; wide-ranging tasks and exercises for both classroom use and self study; informative texts selected to foster cultural awareness; topics including family life, education, history, geography, work and leisure; clear, attractive layout with lively illustrations to reinforce learning ; extensive reference features including a section on basic concepts of grammar; teachers' guidelines to enhance practical application in the classroom; and an on-line answer key.