Alongside the Russian grammar channel, another Youtube channel I have been regularly ‘tuning into’ (1) is Antonia Romaker’s Russian (and English) online. She recently posted one of the most useful videos I’ve come across: what to say when you don’t know what to say! Those “filler” words, which, although pretty meaningless, do allow native speakers to think for a second before making their next statement.
So.. well.. basically.. anyone who is kind of serious about learning a language needs to be aware of fillers, for real 🙂
I used to share some with my GCSE French and German students, telling them to use some in the oral exams to add an authentic touch to their well prepared spontaneous conversations. I’m going to take my own advice now! I might be rather sparing though with my choice – some of these seem more suited to youth than near-pensioners such as myself…