[generalmar]

I'm looking to adopt a child from the Urkaine. Is it better to learn Russian or Ukrainian? Can anyone recommend a set of tapes to listen to in order to learn the language?

Any input would be appreciated!

[I need Alex]

I don't know which is better to learn, but I have had good results learning Russian from "PIMSLER's RUSSIAN" CD's easy to learn, I used them in the car on the way to and from wok 30 minutes a day and I feel comfortable learning Russian... on to level 2!!!

( I purchased them from AMAZON.COM) about $30

[stellaran]

Hello, I'd like to post my opinion in regard of Russian or Ukranian language to study prior/during adoption of a child from Ukraine. If the kid is from Kiev or any other big city, he/she would speak and understand Russian; if the child is from a rural area or some small town, he/she would rather grown in Ukranian language environment.
About the way of study Russian or any other foreign language, I believe it's great to have a native speaking person next to you; maybe even some foreigners will "barter" their language services in exchange of speaking English - because many of us are willing to improve our skills, too.

[Max'smom]

You may want to learn Ukrainian. Your documents will be in Ukrainian and the court proceedings will be, too. Many children in Ukraine's orphanages now are Ukrainian speaking. Since independent nearly all preschools and elementary schools in cities are in Ukrainian (with the exception of parts of Crimea and Donetsk). Also, there are many cities in Western and Central Ukraine where Ukrainian has always been spoken widely, particularly since people are no longer afraid to lose their jobs if they speak their native language.

There are resources for learning Ukrainian:
http://www.yevshan.com/main.asp?cid=5

[Maryna28]

I am 28 years old, and I lived at Ukraine 27 from them.
If your baby is not from Western Ukraine - study Russian. Ukraine is divided very much, especcialy now to Western part (Lvov is center) , where most people speak Ukrainian, and Eastern part, where most people speak Russian.