Rosetta Stone language software - Yay, nay?

[jrthebassguy]

Does anybody own/use the software and have any opinions on it? Or maybe know a better alternative?

Back in high school I took three years of German. I really enjoyed the classes but never took it further into college, and most of what I learned back then has completely atrophied (a common problem, from what I gather). My interest started to renew after I started listening to some German music from back then (Sportfruende Stiller!) and I realized a decent amount of vocabulary stuck, but my grammar went completely out the window. So I think I want to go back to learning the language.

Of course, I realize any software will have its limits, since contact with a human speaker will certainly be better in practicing conversations and building sentences, but I suppose it's a start?

[Tat2dHeart]

My company provides Rosetta Stone to us for language assistance. I've liked using it for both German and two versions of Spanish, but it starts at the very very basics. The speech is done by nationals of the country that uses the language you're learning, and you have to be able to match inflection and accent. It's easy to use though - but if you've already had a few years of the language, you might be really bored by it. Some libraries now offer it for use or checking out.

[Absentia]

My wife is using them to brush up on her Japanese and seems to like them.

I've got the ISO's of the discs sitting in my root folder, waiting for when I get off my butt but I'l let you know.

[jay loren]

A good alternative could be an audio based program that you can listen to while on the go (in the car, on the dread mill, etc.), e.g. Berlitz Rush Hour German. You can get those cheaply on ebay now.
I had worked on this program and we received quite good reviews from customers. I would definitely recommend this program if you want to brush up your German skills.

[Bongolation]

"Yea or nay."

A thousand TBers spelling it wrong doesn't make it right.

[CapnSev]

I bought an older version of the Latin America Spanish from a buddy of mine that was in the military. He already knew Spanish, so he gave his military-issue one to me (for a small fee).

I like it better than any other Spanish class or program I have used, but I don't think it is worth the $500 or whatever it costs. Not even close.

I will also add that their customer service is terrible. Mine was struggling to install properly on my Mac, and when I called their CS, I was literally yelled at for buying an "illegal copy" of the program. I explained that it was a legit, unopened copy of their software, but I was still lectured on "not buying from an authorized retailer". They actually called me the next day, and demanded I send them my "illegal copy". I told them to come and get themselves, and that was the end of it. Maybe its just me, but a good company should back up their product no matter where it came from.

[MJ5150]

Originally Posted by CapnSev

Maybe its just me, but a good company should back up their product no matter where it came from.

It doesn't sound like what you did was illegal, but it does sound like you had a copy that was not intended for the public. I could see them having an issue with that.

-Mike

[CapnSev]

Originally Posted by MJ5150

It doesn't sound like what you did was illegal, but it does sound like you had a copy that was not intended for the public. I could see them having an issue with that.

-Mike

Maybe, but the software was unopened, and totally legitimate. To me, good customer service is helping the customer with a product regardless of where it came from. If I bought a bass amp second hand, had a problem with it, and called up the company, don't you think the better thing to do would be to help me out instead of yelling at me because I didn't buy it from a retailer?

Rosetta Stone was pissed because they didn't get my money and someone else did.

[MJ5150]

There is also a large market for pirated software as I am sure you know. Requiring you to purchase from an authorized reseller can help control that. You knew your copy was legitimate, but the other person on the phone has no idea if it really is or not. When you call about an old copy that was issued to the military, it makes sense that they were concerned.

Either way, they punked you out which is not cool no matter where you got the software from. I'm with you on that.

-Mike

[CapnSev]

Originally Posted by MJ5150

There is also a large market for pirated software as I am sure you know. Requiring you to purchase from an authorized reseller can help control that. You knew your copy was legitimate, but the other person on the phone has no idea if it really is or not. When you call about an old copy that was issued to the military, it makes sense that they were concerned.

Either way, they punked you out which is not cool no matter where you got the software from. I'm with you on that.

-Mike

I know! That's what I don't get. I had a brand new product with a registration code, proof of purchase and all that stuff, and I got what was probably one of the worst experiences with a company that I've ever had.

[ADbassman]

I translate for a living, so I figured I'd weight in. I've only played with Rosetta Stone briefly, and in my experience it's not terribly comprehensive, nor worth the price they charge for it. The whole bit that "this is the program the military uses to train it's linguists" is a crock of BS. They offer it to military personnel to learn in their free time or pre-deployment, and even then they have their own programs they offer to people who they think need to know a language. Can you learn something from Rosetta Stone? Yeah probably. Will you learn enough to be fluent? Hell to the no.

[Kwesi]

Originally Posted by ADbassman

I translate for a living, so I figured I'd weight in. I've only played with Rosetta Stone briefly, and in my experience it's not terribly comprehensive, nor worth the price they charge for it. The whole bit that "this is the program the military uses to train it's linguists" is a crock of BS. They offer it to military personnel to learn in their free time or pre-deployment, and even then they have their own programs they offer to people who they think need to know a language. Can you learn something from Rosetta Stone? Yeah probably. Will you learn enough to be fluent? Hell to the no.

I was thinking of picking up Rosetta Stone with the intent to become fluent in Japanese. Is there another language software that you would recommend? I used it briefly when I was taking a special course but that was basic stuff.

[smperry]

I was paid to do an evaluation of their Spanish program a couple years ago and I saw significant growth in a relatively short amount of time. I did not compare RS to other packages though.

[jmattbassplaya]

Originally Posted by Kwesi

I was thinking of picking up Rosetta Stone with the intent to become fluent in Japanese. Is there another language software that you would recommend? I used it briefly when I was taking a special course but that was basic stuff.

Have you taken Japanese before? It's definitely not an easy language to learn, and I have my doubts that a computer program would be better than a teacher who's actually fluent in the language.

[RosieB]

I'm in the same boat with German as the OP. Plus have a 12 yr old daughter who's been trying to learn and has TONS of vocab books, but really learns by hearing.

We've tried every audio course our library has, which is limited and with no recognizable brands. Two of them were obviously recorded by Americans with American pronunciations. Bad.

I've been looking into Rosetta Stone for years but haven't been able to afford it yet. From the responses here, it sounds as though it's not the best choice anyway.

From experience, what would you all suggest instead? Thanks!

[L-A]

Originally Posted by Kwesi

I was thinking of picking up Rosetta Stone with the intent to become fluent in Japanese. Is there another language software that you would recommend? I used it briefly when I was taking a special course but that was basic stuff.

You *can* use it to gain basic vocabulary and maybe syntax; I doubt it will make you fluent, though. Considering the price of high-end language software, I would recommend a good teacher if you can get one.

[JPaulGeddy]

As someone who recently moved to Germany, I can tell you no software will make you 'fluent'. It's a great place to start and bolster, but as soon as you're in the real world, whole different ballgame.

In Talkbass terms, it's the practicing in your bedroom vs. playing in a band.

[johndough247]

I'm using Fluenz right now for spanish, this is after trying rosetta stone in spanish and japanese...as many stated before, rosetta doesn't explain enough to make you fluent, it leaves too many questions unanswered IMO (at least up to where I got, can't speak for higher levels)

Fluenz is way more in depth, with a video of a tutor explaining each lesson in great detail (and she's easy on the eyes too lol), check them out.

Also a big +1 to talking with real world people in the language, I learn way more from talking to my gf in 5 mins than I do on the programs.

[hover]

Originally Posted by johndough247

Fluenz is way more in depth, with a video of a tutor explaining each lesson in great detail (and she's easy on the eyes too lol),

SI!


Wow, I'm learning!

[jmattbassplaya]

Originally Posted by hover

SI!


Wow, I'm learning!

Is she real or just a CGI? Hard to tell