This is a big one for me.
If you’re learning Russian because you want to have everyday conversations, think about the questions someone is actually likely to ask you.
What’s your name?
Where are you from?
Where do you live?
What do you do?
Why are you learning Russian?
How long have you been learning?
Do you have children?
What do you like to do?
Where have you traveled?
What are you doing this weekend?
These aren’t random vocabulary words.
They’re your conversations.
Practice your answers until the core phrases become automatic.
For example:
Почему ты учишь русский язык?
pa-chee-MÚ ty Ú-cheesh RÚS-kee ya-ZYK?
Why are you learning Russian?
Have an answer ready.
Not because you want to memorize a script forever.
Because familiar answers give you a foundation.
Once the beginning comes automatically, you can start adding more.