Rosetta Stone

[Dbiggs9]

Anyone try this yet? I started German Lessons about 3-4 days ago. I would have to Say this is Very easy to use and i am learning it well. unlike my English!

[Wile E]

Always wanted to try it for Japanese. keep us posted on how well it works.

[Dbiggs9]

Just updating. First Part of my Core Lesson is done about 25% done with the first CD.
I would have a Rate Rosetta stone a 9.5/10

[Kei]

Originally Posted by Wile E

Always wanted to try it for Japanese. keep us posted on how well it works.

I own that one on a whim walking through the airport one day thinking about a friend. I'm shocked at how good these things are, they're totally worth the money that you pay and the money back guarantee is nice too.

Very different from any other software that I have seen before. It's much like when we were kids learning our first languages. There was no language for anyone to tell you "this" means "that" so....the only way to learn was by associating the words and sounds with pictures so you actually LEARN a word/phrase instead of just learning ringo means apple. Trying to translate a language in your head mid conversation isn't going to help your fluency (sp?) in a language, but if you learn it like you were a child you'll have no problems at all.

There is a ton of lessons for each level (I think there is level 1,2, and 3 for Japanese), and you have a bunch of different ways to do each lesson as well. You can do the lesson first with a spoken and written word where you will choose what picture, then you can do it without the spoken word, or you can do it without the written word and hear only spoken. After that you can do it so that there is spoken word and you have to type the word, or you can do it so that there is no spoken or written and you have to type the word that goes with whatever picture. There is also voice recognition software to help with pronounciation which I've seen help people get over the fear of sounding stupid when saying a word for the first time (it comes with a mic/headset). There are other ways to take the lessons as well, and like I said there area lot of lessons...and they're not just a single word and picture (full sentences etc.).

I recomend that if you want to get one of these programs, to also buy a $7 grammar book which will help you out IMMENSELY to learn any language. I make all my friends who are interested in learning, buy a $6.95 US grammar book by Barron's. That way you will learn the vowels/constanants, pronounciation of those, and other important (easy to learn) rules. That coupled with the Rossetta Stone software is a very very powerful tool. The book can be found in any Barnes & Noble book store.

Rating: 9.5/10

Kei

lol, I was actually going through Pittsburgh airport on the way to LA when I had that random thought and I bought a friend a grammar book from the Barnes & Noble in Philadelphia, PA

[Dbiggs9]

Originally Posted by Kei

I recomend that if you want to get one of these programs, to also buy a $7 grammar book which will help you out IMMENSELY to learn any language. I make all my friends who are interested in learning, buy a $6.95 US grammar book by Barron's. That way you will learn the vowels/constanants, pronounciation of those, and other important (easy to learn) rules. That coupled with the Rossetta Stone software is a very very powerful tool. The book can be found in any Barnes & Noble book store.

Rating: 9.5/10

Kei

lol, I was actually going through Pittsburgh airport on the way to LA when I had that random thought and I bought a friend a grammar book from the Barnes & Noble in Philadelphia, PA

My wife speaks German.. So she is my grammar book!!

[Kei]

lol, in house tutoring is awesome but only available in selected areas.

Kei

[lemode]

Rosetta Stone is by far the best do it yourself learning program.

A few years ago my wife actually took interest in learning a new language. She hears me speak Russian and wanted to understand (I am sure she was just paranoid that I was always talking trash about/to her). Russian is a 3 part learning process and she could speak it pretty well after a while. She has a complete American accent when she speaks it but it was worth the money.

I want to learn Portuguese.

[majestic12]

I've got the whole Japanese set. I was a bit lazy in doing it but it's a really good program. I also got a set of Prinsleur stuff to go with it. They're both a lot better than the classes I took where nobody spoke any English at all. Rosetta Stone's first lesson in Japanese: Hikooki=plane, booru=ball, etc. It builds up quickly but isn't too overwhelming. It's worth the price if you need to learn for work or have enough interest. I needed to learn so I could talk with my wife's family...

[Dbiggs9]

Originally Posted by lemode

Russian is a 3 part learning process and she could speak it pretty well after a while. She has a complete American accent when she speaks it but it was worth the money.

Did your wife finish all 3 parts, Also at what part in the lessons was she able to start speaking to you?

[Polaris573]

I want to get the German one so I don't forget all the German it took me two years to learn. Maybe when I get a job.

[Wile E]

I think this has about convinced me. Question, if you buy the Japanese kit, and have the program, do they give you discounts on additional languages? Can you download language packs or what have you?

[Kei]

It's been a while since I bought one, but I do believe you get a discount for buying. As for downloading language packs no, each program is disc based (to prevent pirating) so you need the actual disc to run it.

If you go to their site you can try out the demos they have online (about 10 languages...no Japanese is not one of them lol), and see how the program roughly works. I just went to the site to check it out before I sent you there, please note that the demos don't quite show you 100% what the program will be like. The actual program does not come with the ladies voice telling you to do this or do that like in the demo, also from the programs that I've used they do not list two pictures with words as reference then ask you to choose whatever answer they ask you. I'm sure there is some sort of setting that you could get something fairly similar to that, but the core program IS NOT setup that way which is a good thing.

I've attatched some screenshots with overlaying text to help you see what the Japanese program actually looks like. If you need any further explanation of the layout or the options (A,B,C,D, and E) I'm more than happy to help you.

If you're really trying to learn a language, Rosetta stone is a fantastic way to do it. It costs less than if you were to go to a campus and take classes, you can do it as long or as quickly as you wish, it's on your computer so any help you need is nothing more than a few clicks away. Also the site now talks about a portable audio media that you will also get when you buy one of the Levels so you can keep learning on the go. They did not have this product when I bought the program a few years back, but it's a great addition. Look around on the internet to see what deals are available for less than what the main site gives if you're looking to save a little money. Even if you buy it from the main site it's still WAY cheaper than buying classes, and it totally worth it anyway.

Kei