Rosetta Stone?

ree-Xi · #1 10-10-2011, 10:31 AM

I'd love to hear from anyone who has used Rosetta Stone to learn a new language. I wish to further my rudimentary Italian (took it in college - can read it, but have issues speaking/writing it, thanks to four years of Spanish and 2 years of Latin jumbling up my brain!). Like any language program, you need to keep with it, and have an outlet to use the language.

I also understand the methodology (teaching the way that children learn language), and it's similar to some of the methods used when I studied language in the past, so I understand that concern. I am also an excellent self-learner (so motivation isn't an issue), and have family who speak fluently and can practice with them.

I'd love to hear thoughts on the program that don't necessarily have to do with not having access to fluent speakers with whom to practice. What did you like or not like about the program?

I feel strongly that this is the program I want to use, but I want to hear from others (versus just looking for online reviews where I don't know the agenda of the reviewers). I'm also looking at ways to cut costs on the program. I looked on eBay for deals but with one exception, I didn't find much of a savings, and for something like this, I don't know if buying used is a big deal.

So in addition, if anyone has suggestions regarding retailers, discounts, etc., I'd love to hear from you.

Thanks so much in advance!

carnation · #2 10-10-2011, 10:45 AM

Okay, I teach Spanish as well as ESOL. We had the program at school for our ESOL kids. It is very, very good and they learned a lot but you have to be committed. I know so many people who have put big bucks out for this and then quit using it after a month or so.

I always tell adults that they may get better results taking a course from a college because they usually feel like if they paid for the course, they'd better attend the class. Nobody's making anybody attend Rosetta Stone.

There are several universities (use a brick-and-mortar one) that offer Italian online.

agzg · #3 10-10-2011, 10:45 AM

I have not used the program myself, but a couple people I know have and they liked it quite a bit. I don't think it'll get you fluent though.

My boyfriend's company uses it sometimes when they're sending people places for long stays. I'm not sure how successful it's been.

DubaiSis · #4 10-10-2011, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agzg

I have not used the program myself, but a couple people I know have and they liked it quite a bit. I don't think it'll get you fluent though.

Nothing gets you fluent except immersion, but I think this is probably as good an at-home option as you can get. I haven't used it either. I would say (did I tell you I'm a travel agent?) that you should buy the program and book a trip to Italy. It will give you motivation. Even if your family is Italian and native speakers, you may have trouble getting them to play along well enough to be much help. But the good news is you know how the words should SOUND, and that helps a ton.

As a side note, I went to Greece years ago with a gal who was Greek. She never studied Greek, was never taught it because her grandparents used it to fight (I think that's hysterical). In 1 week she was conversational just from talking to people in stores and restaurants. You'd be surprised how much you have absorbed over the years.

AlphaFrog · #5 10-10-2011, 11:12 AM

I'm already relatively fluent in Spanish, but I watched my dad using the Spanish version to get ready for our trip to Mexico. I didn't like how they jumbled concepts in each unit. You may have one question where you conjugate a verb, then the next question is noun-adjective agreement, then the next question is gender/number matching. It all seemed so random.

ree-Xi · #6 10-10-2011, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carnation

Okay, I teach Spanish as well as ESOL. We had the program at school for our ESOL kids. It is very, very good and they learned a lot but you have to be committed. I know so many people who have put big bucks out for this and then quit using it after a month or so.

I always tell adults that they may get better results taking a course from a college because they usually feel like if they paid for the course, they'd better attend the class. Nobody's making anybody attend Rosetta Stone.

There are several universities (use a brick-and-mortar one) that offer Italian online.

I did study Italian at my college for two semesters, so I have those basics - grammar, structure, pronunciation, etc. So I'm not starting at zero. I thankfully still have my very detailed notebook from my classes, where I took impeccable notes, wrote out pages of vocabulary and conjugated verbs, etc. (My Latin is a huge help in understanding conjugation.)

My current state of health (aside from being sick frequently, I have a chronic cough that can be very disruptive), and side effects of some of my medications (blurry eyes, fatigue) can get in the way of being able to commit to GETTING TO class, attending class, being in a good enough condition to go to every class, and get out of them what I need to in the brief time the class meets.

Because of these obstacles, and the fact that I am well-motivated to do the work on my own, I'm not too worried about that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

Nothing gets you fluent except immersion, but I think this is probably as good an at-home option as you can get. I haven't used it either. I would say (did I tell you I'm a travel agent?) that you should buy the program and book a trip to Italy. It will give you motivation. Even if your family is Italian and native speakers, you may have trouble getting them to play along well enough to be much help. But the good news is you know how the words should SOUND, and that helps a ton.

>> Yes! My dad is "off the boat" so I grew up hearing it all around me. My mom didn't allow us to learn because she tried it once (she's not Italian) and a family members laughed at her, so she prohibited speaking Italian in the house, so I just went next door to my gramma's to hear it spoken.

As a side note, I went to Greece years ago with a gal who was Greek. She never studied Greek, was never taught it because her grandparents used it to fight (I think that's hysterical). In 1 week she was conversational just from talking to people in stores and restaurants. You'd be surprised how much you have absorbed over the years.

I totally agree. Having that underlying understanding, even if it's not dictionary-exact, goes a long way in helping sharpen your language skills.

Thank you for the suggestions and considerations!

ree-Xi · #7 10-10-2011, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

I'm already relatively fluent in Spanish, but I watched my dad using the Spanish version to get ready for our trip to Mexico. I didn't like how they jumbled concepts in each unit. You may have one question where you conjugate a verb, then the next question is noun-adjective agreement, then the next question is gender/number matching. It all seemed so random.

AF, if he had knowledge (as in, he knew the conjugation of the verbs) and understanding of conjugated verbs, as well as understood noun/adj aggreement, gender/number matching, etc., would it have helped? I already have many conjugated verbs committed to memory, and understand the other issues (thanks to 4 years' Spanish, 2 years' Latin, and 1 year of Italian).

FSUZeta · #8 10-10-2011, 12:29 PM

with your background, i think you will be fine with rosetta stone. i have the german program and found it helpful in preparing me for my two semesters of college german i took last year. as carnation said, motivation is key, which is why i think you will be great!

ree-Xi · #9 10-10-2011, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FSUZeta

with your background, i think you will be fine with rosetta stone. i have the german program and found it helpful in preparing me for my two semesters of college german i took last year. as carnation said, motivation is key, which is why i think you will be great!

Thank you for all of your help, everyone!

Now I am on the hunt for the best price.

crosscaravan · #10 10-10-2011, 06:40 PM

I'm not sure if they do it where you are, but I know last year the bookstores around here had a really phenomenal deal for all four levels packaged together for the holiday season. Sometimes you could find really good prices online, too. With November and December coming up, you may be able to find something much cheaper than usual.

DeltaBetaBaby · #11 10-10-2011, 07:06 PM

I used RS for about a month to get comfortable with French before going to France. I liked it a lot, especially the parts where you have to pronounce things into the microphone and let it grade you.

Then I tried Spanish level 3, because I had Spanish in high school. I thought it moved much too slowly. It's like, the more you know of a language, the more quickly you can learn even more, and I don't feel like the higher levels adjust for that.

Overall, I liked it, but I think it's better if you are just starting out with a new language.

ETA: Any chance your library has it? You may be able to try it out a bit before committing the cash.

FSUZeta · #12 10-10-2011, 08:04 PM

oooh, great suggestion!

you used to be able to purchase it online, for "x" amount of months. at least we were able to do that a couple of years ago, when my daughter thought about learning french.

LikeASista · #13 10-11-2011, 11:44 PM

Oooooh, I'm loving this thread! Thank you for starting it, ree-Xi ...

I purchased Rosetta Stone's Latin American Spanish software from Ebay about two years ago. I got all Levels 1 through 5 in a set, for only a little over $200. (I was lucky, I know ...

) And I bought the headset with mic separately for $25 (also from Ebay). Anyway ...

I took four years of French (two years in high school, and two years in college). Because I sing (and study) opera, which requires me to have a general understanding of the German, French, Italian and Latin languages, it occured to me that Spanish was one language I'd had NO experience with whatsoever.

So, needless to say, I enjoyed the Rosetta Stone software right away. However, I only used the program for about a month. So, yes, ... diligent, motivated consistency is imminent when studying any language in order to, at least, be able to "get by". As some have already said here, I had no one to practice with either, which would've made motivation all the more difficult.

Let us know how you make out in your research on price, ree-Xi. I'm considering purchasing another set for either French or Italian. But I must have the same deal I had with the Latin American Spanish one first.