Anyone Rosetta Stone?

[GilaMinumBeer]

Well, do ya'?

Did it help or, did it just empty your wallet.

 

[3 Dog Brew]

Hey, I was thinking exactly the same thing. Not sure if their "program" can work as well as they say it does.

 

[hukdizzle]

Immerse your self in the language as much as you can and you'll learn it faster than anything. Any local classes or groups at the local JC dedicated to the language?

 

[DavidSteel]

It's probably the best, but way too expensive. It would probably help if you dedicated 2 hours a day to it but it's kinda slow moving and you can't really do it if you get left behind in a language class as it is a completely different style or teaching which builds on what it teaches you, so it won't help in that aspect.. Good if you don't want to take classes and teach yourself OR if you want to learn as much as possible before going in to a language class to ensure a good grade. TL;DR: it's the best, but way too expensive.

 

[jamesnsw]

I agree- immersion is the best way. I SUCK at learning in class- I think I dropped out of 4 language classes in my school career. But I spent 6 months in the DR and Honduras, and was awful at communicating at first. But by the time I left, I was pretty decent.

 

[jkarp]

I like Pimsleur better. Their CDs are cumulative and listening to the first couple in the "Quick and Simple" series is enough to muddle through a vacation visit somewhere.

 

[Homercidal]

I got a free copy for German once and I don't think it worked as well as the commercials say it does. I agree that learning with a natural speaker is the best. Immersion even better.

 

[babalu87]

 

[azscoob]

I have the rosetta stone software with 32 different languages, needed to do a build in Thailand for some non english speaking customers, they backed down from the project when the coup messed up travel there, it seems to work pretty well if you devote the time each day to actually do it. I now have a half-assed grip on Italian, German, and barely any Thai. when I get more free time I will complete the lessons

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

I have been married to a Malay girl for 11 years now. While I have been "immersed" in the culture, she is more intent on improving her english skills than she is on teaching me any Malay.

In 11 years of marriage, I can barely formulate a inteliigible sentence that I could speak to any family on her side. and yet, they try their damndest to speak to me every chance they get.

The closest Rosetta has is Indonesian but, it's close enough.

 

[Baja_Brewer]

I've given it a shot. I have a 'free' copy of the spanish, it worked pretty well. I don't have time to commit to it.

But +1 on classes/ immersion. I took 4 years of French in HS then lived in Belgium for a year after I graduated. Belgium was the best year of my life, and my French improved too!

 

[bad coffee]

I have the Japanese disk. I find it's tough, not knowing exactly what I'm reading. The hearing/speaking is okay, but I want to read it as well.

I might take a basic course somewhere and then go back to the RS. I think it will help me do better with the software.

B

 

[TexLaw]

I've used both Pimsleur and Rosetta Stone. Both are good, and both are expensive. They take different approaches, and different folks react in different ways to those approaches. Pimsleur is nearly all audio (with some reading). Rosetta Stone is almost like an interactive Sesame Street or Electric Company.

I like how Rosetta Stone evaluates what you say, although I wish I could get a little more feedback. I also like how Rosetta Stone uses more than one speaker for each gender, and the speakers do not all sound the same (as is the case in the real world). Rosetta Stone also is a bit easier to pick up and put down, but the Pimsleur lessons are only 30 minutes, anyhow.

I've enjoyed them both, and I cannot really say which I prefer. Both kick the hell out of any classes I've ever taken.


TL

 

[Dalarast]

Through military recommendation (ordered) I had to take some Arabic and later on Farsi via Rosetta Stone. I thought it was really slow at first but stuck with it and then when deployed and being around the culture I really developed my language skills. Wife hates it though when I go off in foreign tongue; but since her mother is Thai and I'm used to it there I say payback is a bitch

I also like Itunes language courses for just learning basic dialect/phrases. Forgot what it was but basically free one minute language courses (i.e. one minute Irish/French/etc..). Fun to be able to ask where the bathroom is and how to get a drink

 

[mrtrav]

I tried Pimsleur, Rosetta, Classes, and immersion into the culture. Of them all, I think classes was the least helpful. In the end though, the only thing that matters is how much effort you put into it.

 

[oldschool]

the stone really sucks...such a waste of money. I translate for the iphone works way better and is free

 

[skeeordye11]

I know I'm digging up an old one here, but it's been over a year so I figured I'd see if anyone else had an opinion since this threads inception?

 

[motobrewer]

I have the Japanese disk. I find it's tough, not knowing exactly what I'm reading. The hearing/speaking is okay, but I want to read it as well.

I might take a basic course somewhere and then go back to the RS. I think it will help me do better with the software.

B

i took 3 years of collegiate japanese. class was daily. i could speak pretty darn good, but even after 3 years, I could barely read.

the only way to ingrain that many symbols is to grow up there.

 

[A4J]

I thought I responded to this thread before, but I guess not.

I have RS Japanese and I thought it was great. My only critique with RS is that I think there really needs to be and english translation. There were quite a few time when I thought I was saying one thing but it actually meant something else.