Anyone familiar with Rosetta Stone (language)?

Phantopeth · #1 09-11-2008, 09:32 AM

I'm interested in trying to learning Spanish here and there in what free time I have, and I was wondering if anyone had any experience with that Rosetta Stone software that's being hawked on TV.

Anyone?

pedroims · #2 09-11-2008, 10:16 AM

a friend of mine has one , she is triying to learn Spanish and according with her it is a good method. You can try just be sure to find a way to practice what you are learning. If you do not have friends that speak Spanish then iistening music will be a good tool.

Jeff K · #3 09-11-2008, 10:16 AM

Sorry, I can't help. But I'm curious as well. My son might need to learn Spanish soon, and this might give him a jump start. But it's pretty expensive (I think around $400.00), so I'd like to hear some feedback from "real" people who have used it.

Dr Stankface · #4 09-11-2008, 10:18 AM

I've thought about this as well (German). Would love to hear some real insight.

Atoz · #5 09-11-2008, 11:01 AM

I can get Rosetta Stone training free though work, but I haven't tried it out yet.

Phantopeth · #6 09-11-2008, 11:56 AM

I work around several women of varying hispanic descent that all speak Spanish with each other throughout the day, as well as a good friend of mine is marrying a Mexican lady who is also bilingual, so I will definately have the opportunity to practice / have help from people around me. I'm glad to hear your friend approves of the method, pedroims; I am yet to find a poor review.

jive1 · #7 09-11-2008, 11:59 AM

My wife is using it to learn Spanish, and she really likes it. The great thing about it is that it isn't based on rote memorization, and uses lots of pictures so you can attached words to mental images instead of words you already know. She has good retention because of it. We live in a Hispanic area, so there is plenty of opportunity to practice it.

My wife highly recommends it.

Brad Johnson · #8 09-11-2008, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jive1

My wife is using it to learn Spanish, and she really likes it. The great thing about it is that it isn't based on rote memorization, and uses lots of pictures so you can attached words to mental images instead of words you already know. She has good retention because of it. We live in a Hispanic area, so there is plenty of opportunity to practice it.

My wife highly recommends it.

Hey, burn me a copy, por favor.

DavidJohn · #9 09-11-2008, 12:57 PM

I've tried Rosetta Stone and it is completely over-priced for what you get. (I did Spanish.) Basically it is a lot of money for a pretty quick course that just shows you photo after photo after photo. Fun at first, but it grows old QUICK. My girlfriend had an older version of something called Tell Me More, and it was a THOUSAND times better. Anyway, Rosetta Stone wasn't worth it, at least not for me. Probably should beware.

**MAJOR METAL** · #10 09-11-2008, 03:49 PM

Man I was really suprised how much the program is. At a table in the mall they were going for over $400.

BlacktotheBlind · #11 09-11-2008, 04:54 PM

who says you have to pay for it

**SoComSurfing** · #12 09-11-2008, 05:31 PM

I'm curious about it, too. The only local college that offers Russian only offers it in the middle of the day, and in my line of work, it would be VERY useful. I've thought about Rosetta Stone because I can either write it off as a business expense or ask the company to reimburse me for it.

**Freddels** · #13 09-11-2008, 07:14 PM

Where do you live? Glebe Rd?

Quote:

Originally Posted by jive1

My wife is using it to learn Spanish, and she really likes it. The great thing about it is that it isn't based on rote memorization, and uses lots of pictures so you can attached words to mental images instead of words you already know. She has good retention because of it. We live in a Hispanic area, so there is plenty of opportunity to practice it.

My wife highly recommends it.

Mazatleco17 · #14 09-11-2008, 11:57 PM

I have always wanted to learn Italian

brivello · #15 09-12-2008, 12:20 AM

at first glance i thought you were talking about the actual Rosetta stone, and were asking people if they knew hieroglyphics/Greek

edbutler3 · #16 09-12-2008, 01:08 AM

My library used to offer free online subscriptions to Rosetta stone, and I played with the German one for several hours. Unfortunately, (partially since it was free) I didn't devote enough time to it to finish the 3 courses like I meant to, and then the library dropped the program. That was disappointing...

I thought it was a pretty good program, but I'd have a hard time justifying the $400 price tag. Now, if the $400 got you *every* language they do rather than just one, I would probably go for it.

ZonGuy · #17 09-12-2008, 01:13 AM

See if there is a one-off vendor doing the DLI (Defense Language Institute) method.

Also, learn how to pronounce the sounds correctly first off. There was a CD/booklet series called "How to Pronounce _____ Correctly"

stoob · #18 09-15-2008, 12:47 AM

My wife has the Tell Me More course also and she likes it a lot.

Beast · #19 09-15-2008, 06:38 AM

I own it for German. I tried to use it for learning a bit before school started, and I wasn't very impressed, especially for the price tag. I would go with the "Tell me more" software, which I've heard many a' great things about, and I believe it's cheaper.