Rosetta Stone?

[RedDogSD]

Has anyone tried it? The stuff costs a fortune, and they have a slick advertising campaign, but I don't want to sink hundreds of dollars into something that doesn't really work.

 

[Conan]

I tried their sample disk. Their system is you look at a picture while reading/saying the word it represents. This might work for some people, but not for me.

It turns out I'm an aural (ear) learner, so I do better with Pimsleur CDs. You're prompted in English to say a phrase ("how are you"), then there's a pause, then you hear a native speaker say the phrase (in Turkish, it sounds like "nussel-sunnus"). You don't see any spelling, and you learn gender, grammar and conjugations in bits and pieces rather than by rule.

It takes me several months to go through a 12 or 16 CD set for a language (I listen in the car driving to/from work), listening to each CD three or four times to get it in my head. With Pimsleur I've been successful asking for directions, shopping, making small talk, etc., in Greek, Turkish, Spanish, Czech and Italian.

//It also takes me about the same number of months to forget everything I used to know of a language.

 

[siesta]

works great, nothing is better. besides moving to the country itself =P

 

[Ridewithme38]

works great, nothing is better. besides moving to the country itself =P

Removedurl.Duh

Torrents are shaddy, your downloading a copy of a disk that is illegal to copy...Ebay an Craigslist are shady also, but atleast while using them...you don't know for sure if your getting an illegal copy or a legit disk, takes the burden off your back...and the prices are rock bottom

 

[pkyorkbeach]

My DD wants the set for Spanish
Each year she asks for it for her birthday or Christmas. Due to price I have yet to purchase it...

Very expensive

Would like to know too if Tugers have bought it and how well they have done.

 

[RedDogSD]

Torrents are shaddy, your downloading a copy of a disk that is illegal to copy...Ebay an Craigslist are shady also, but atleast while using them...you don't know for sure if your getting an illegal copy or a legit disk, takes the burden off your back...and the prices are rock bottom

That's funny because last month everyone was saying how shady your Ebay practices were...and now you are saying that Ebay and Craigslist are shady. You really do just like to stir the pot huh?

 

[RedDogSD]

I have heard very positive reviews of Tell Me More software which has a lot more content than Rosetta Stone. I might try that instead.

 

[caterina25]

http://www.language-learning-advisor.com/tell-me-more-review.html

Might help you decide.

 

[janej]

Our library used to have it online for free. When I looked it up, here is what I found:

Rosetta Stone Language Learning Products

The library receives many questions from patrons who would like us to offer Rosetta Stone products. We do not provide computer software such as the Rosetta Stone CD-ROM's for the public. We were among the first to subscribe when Rosetta Stone made its online product available to libraries. Unfortunately, in early 2008, Rosetta Stone representatives informed public libraries across the United States that the company would discontinue library online access to their product. While we regret this decision, we remain committed to supporting our patrons’ language learning needs.
Mango Languages is an online language learning product that combines audio and written lessons. All courses are self-paced, with the option to repeat difficult portions and to test knowledge gained in each lesson. Choose Mango Complete for in-depth instruction in your choice of nine foreign languages and ESL, or Mango Basic to get you started in any of 22 languages or 14 ESL courses.
The library has a wide range of CD-based language courses from publishers such as Pimsleur, Vocabulearn, and Living Language. The reference librarians at your local branch can help you find the right course for your needs.
ESL students can find further resources on our English as a Second Language page.
Thank you for your understanding.

 

[easyrider]

Has anyone tried it? The stuff costs a fortune, and they have a slick advertising campaign, but I don't want to sink hundreds of dollars into something that doesn't really work.

I bought Rosetta Stone last year and I feel it works. I have three disks and haven't had time to even finish the first disk yet. I also bought sesame street in Spanish. I'm speaking like a 3 year old but was able to pick up some grown up sentences from Spanish speaking friends so sometimes I sound alright.

I bought Sesame Street on Ebay and the Rosetta Stone from some where else.

 

[zinger1457]

I tried because it was available for free where I worked. As was mentioned you are looking at pictures and there is no English translation provided. It works fine when only using a single word but I found it very confusing when they start putting sentences together. It leaves you guessing on exactly what is being said since you can easily interpret the picture in different ways. I would not pay for it.

 

[pkyorkbeach]

My DD told me tonight that she is looking into another program called Fluenz. Anyone heard of this one??????

 

[NWL]

I tried their sample disk. Their system is you look at a picture while reading/saying the word it represents. This might work for some people, but not for me.

It turns out I'm an aural (ear) learner, so I do better with Pimsleur CDs. You're prompted in English to say a phrase ("how are you"), then there's a pause, then you hear a native speaker say the phrase (in Turkish, it sounds like "nussel-sunnus"). You don't see any spelling, and you learn gender, grammar and conjugations in bits and pieces rather than by rule.

It takes me several months to go through a 12 or 16 CD set for a language (I listen in the car driving to/from work), listening to each CD three or four times to get it in my head. With Pimsleur I've been successful asking for directions, shopping, making small talk, etc., in Greek, Turkish, Spanish, Czech and Italian.

//It also takes me about the same number of months to forget everything I used to know of a language.

I borrowed Pimsleur Italian from a friend, in preparation for our trip to Italy 4 years ago. I liked it. I did one 15 minute lesson a day for 2 months prior to our trip. I was able to converse with the local residents in their language to receive the basic services in hotels or restaurants. It worked for me.

Cheers!

 

[Ted]

Spanishdict.com vs Rossetta Stone

I have been using the free online program www.spanishdict.com and am very happy with it. Try it and I am sure that you will learn Spanish very comfortably with it.

Ted :rofl: