Rosetta Stone software

[julie in PA]

I'm thinking of giving this software a try to bring my spanish (or lack thereof) up to speed. Can anyone comment on whether or not it is any good or maybe recommend another product?

[battie05]

Originally Posted by julie in PA

I'm thinking of giving this software a try to bring my spanish (or lack thereof) up to speed. Can anyone comment on whether or not it is any good or maybe recommend another product?

I have never heard of this software, but this is what they say on their own website:

Rosetta Stone is the #1 language-learning software in the world, used successfully by millions of people in 150 countries. It’s been adopted by government agencies and corporations—including Deutsche Telekom, IBM, and Lockheed Martin—and thousands of schools and universities around the world. With Rosetta Stone, learning a new language is easier than you ever imagined.

Sounds good to me...

[maestranba]

It's a good program, with videos to watch with native speakers. So in that sense it'll expose you to REAL language. However, I believe it's quite expensive. Not sure how much you're willing to spend. There are other, cheaper programs out there that you can listen to in your car and use on your computer, with workbooks that go along with it for a lot less dinero!

[Beachnutt719]

I have looked at it as well and I think it runs about $200

[julie in PA]

Thanks for the replies. Yes, it is expensive, but if it does what they say it does - it's worth it in my book. I took Spanish in high school and in college - but never really learned to "speak and understand" the language - go figure!

I spoke with a Spanish teacher the other day and apparently "immersion" is all the rage in language teaching and seems to be working. From the Rosetta Stone website it sounds like this is the way their software works and maybe that is why it is so popular.

I am probably going to give it a try.

[Michael]

You could probably try the copy in your local library before you made a decision to buy you own.

[tictoc]

If you decide to buy, you can get a cheaper copy on eBay. You can copy the manuels from the Rosetta Stone website if the eBay seller does not have them available.

[maestranba]

Originally Posted by julie in PA

Thanks for the replies. Yes, it is expensive, but if it does what they say it does - it's worth it in my book. I took Spanish in high school and in college - but never really learned to "speak and understand" the language - go figure!

I spoke with a Spanish teacher the other day and apparently "immersion" is all the rage in language teaching and seems to be working. From the Rosetta Stone website it sounds like this is the way their software works and maybe that is why it is so popular.

I am probably going to give it a try.

Let us know how you make out! Immersion is good to the extent that the students are not completely baffled by what they're hearing. Then they just tune it out. Immersion with comprehesible and interesting input is what I try to provide my students with every single day. That keeps them focused and then I'm able to add more to the mix. It's lots of fun!!

Buena suerte!

[silvergirl]

I searched and researched for so long to find a program I could try and ended up with the downloaded version of "Rocket Spanish". I must say, I really enjoy it and repeat the same lessons over and over until I get it. The website has a few "sample" lessons. www.rocketspanish.com They offer a cd collection and an online downloadable version which is what I chose. I even bought an ipod just for that. Of course you don't have to....you can simply burn them to CD's if you want but the ipod seems easier. Now when I do my long walks I listen to a few lessons. It just makes going to Playa so much more fun to look forward to! They even have an online game to play. PM me if you want any more info. I'd be happy to help.

[Tommygurl]

I just got the program yesterday.... I will let you know how I do....

[julie in PA]

Originally Posted by Tommygurl

I just got the program yesterday.... I will let you know how I do....

I went ahead and ordered Rosetta Stone yesterday - should be here on Monday - maybe we can track our progress together - in spanish of course!

Thanks to everyone for their help.

[_nick_]

I received the German version of this program as a gift about two years ago. Berlitz is the only other language program that I've used, granted it was in the bargain bin in Office Max, however Rosetta Stone wins hands down. There really is no comparison, as it's the closest thing to actual immersion out there.

There are four different ways to complete each exercise. For example, exercise one has pictures, text and speech, where as type four of the exercise just has the text while four different soundbytes are played. There's a lot of variety which keeps it interesting. Some friends of mine in Germany (other exchange students) would be in my flat and ask me if they could play the German language game. Seriously, one can spend hours 'playing.'

That's great you've already ordered it. You won't be disappointed!

[Jazzy Cat]

I received the program for my birthday back in Sept. but I've been too busy to try it out yet. I know it's an excellent program because I used the English version for my ESL students. Next time in Playa I should be fully fluent in Spanish.....ha ha!

[Scotch]

I'm a language teacher. I admit I teach English to French speakers but I do know learning methods. Rosetta Stone has a really good reputation and I have acquired it too for German. The Pimsleur method is also really excellent...lots of repetition and no need to install sofware on your computer...I loaded it all onto my iPod. Learn a language while walking and keeping fit :-) I already had a good working knowledge of Spanish but with the Pimsleur method I became really quite fluent.

[LaGringaFeliz]

I have been using the Spanish Rosetta Stone program for 2 months. I have found it just okay. They start out teaching you language skills the same way as my high school Spanish class did - "The boys are jumping," "The girl is walking," "The man is riding a bike" which I find isn't even close to how I learned English from my parents, etc. (immersion). They should teach how to talk WITH people and not saying things about something a person is doing over there... Kapish? After 2 months I can say "the girl is putting on a red sweater" but not "can you help me find a pharmacy?" or "what are you doing?" After 2 months of using this 4 times + a week that's pretty disappointing. Thank goodness they have a 6 month return policy. $500 is a lot to pay...