Anything comparable to Rosetta Stone, but cheaper?

[MommyBryn]

Does anyone have actual experience with any language programs like Rosetta stone but that are cheaper? I know there are many out there, just don't know anyone who has experience with any. Doesn't have to be a BF sale today or anything....we've just been looking for a Spanish one for quite some time (for homeschool curriculum). Also, if anyone knows of a great ASL program, I'd love a heads up on that, too!

 

[becca-becca]

My son uses duo lingo. I believe it is free but don't know if it is comparable.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Free! http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/ and I've heard great things.

 

[thr33boys]

I've seen Rosetta Stone with Groupon in the past for half price if that's of interest to you. Just keep your eyes on it.

 

[DisHmsklMom]

More DuoLingo people here at my house, nice free program.

 

[ShayBells]

I like Duolingo as well. I have been using it to learn french and it's free so you might as well check it out yourself first other than that haven't tried anything else.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[eliza61]

also if you have a community college, check with them. I took a on line French class last year, it was great. 95 bucks each semester and very very interactive. we meet (virtually) once a week and had "conversations" which help with the "flow" of speaking and learned at our own pace

I really recommend that. Also had a lot of emphasis on reading. all the activities and exercises were on line. I loved it.

 

[xlsm]

I'm also going to suggest duolingo. It is free in the app store or google play store. I love it!

 

[MommyBryn]

Thanks everyone! I signed up for DuoLingo and will check it out! I have seen the RS groupons but it's still been so spendy each time, though when I've seen them we haven't that in the budget at time either. We do have a community college (DH and I actually took language classes there in the past) but I would like a program that can last as long as we need it (for homeschool, and my kids are young ).

 

[sunshinehighway]

Thanks for the recommendation of duolingo. I'm going to Paris next year. I have Rosetta stone but I can't get the app to work. Duolingo seems like it will be more useful some I have access to my phone more often than my computer. Plus, Rosetta Stone makes me want to throw my computer every time I use it.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

I tried livemocha for japanese and absolutely hated it. It makes no sense to me (not the language, the service). I've had mediocre luck with the nintendo ds language "game". Its nice for basic stuff and there's games to help you learn it. I think the language makes a difference too, as far as which program works best. With languages that use different alphabets I sort of doubt you can ever learn it completely through a program, you'd only learn to speak it but not read and write it.

 

[BubMunkeyBles]

Mango and it's usually free through the local library.

 

[MinnieLovesMickey12]

There is nothing comparable to Rosetta Stone which is why it can charge so much. You can find Rosetta Stone pretty cheap on Craigslist and Ebay.

 

[BubMunkeyBles]

There is nothing comparable to Rosetta Stone which is why it can charge so much. You can find Rosetta Stone pretty cheap on Craigslist and Ebay.

I actually prefer Mango. I've used both and lived in both Germany and Italy so relied on them to get me by. The military started offering Mango instead of Rosetta Stone also at a lot of their bases.

 

[tinkmom2]

I have "Instant Immersion Spanish." I bought it off of ebay for around $50.00. It has fun interactive games and you speak into a headset much like Rosetta Stone. My daughter likes to play it too. It's a good introduction to Spanish.

To keep Spanish in my head after taking Spanish 1 I bought Earworms which is Spanish phrases set to music and took conversational and travel Spanish. The text was "Say it Right Spanish." and was around $5.00 and there was a phonetic spelling to help you practice correctly.

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

I am a member of livemocha's free service (don't actually use it though) and they send me emails about every 2 months with Rosetta Stone offers. The one I get the most is $199 for all 5 levels. Still pretty expensive but much better than the $499 they regularly charge.

 

[SandrA9810]

There is nothing comparable to Rosetta Stone which is why it can charge so much. You can find Rosetta Stone pretty cheap on Craigslist and Ebay.

No you can't. Once you purchase the program, it's your forever. You can never resell it. The company is evil. So don't even waste $200 on the stupid thing since all you can do is throw it in the trash if you hate it.

To the OP: For ASL, you can find a handful of books at Barnes and Noble that help teach kids at different age levels. Some might focus on the signs, others might focus on the grammar, but the best thing you can do is find a Deaf group in your area. Even my rinky dink area has a deaf meets once a month. You'll find a variety of people there, some deaf, some hard of hearing, some hearing friends, and some hearing students in ASL class. The best thing to do is to get exposed to it.

 

[sugahjunior]

No you can't. Once you purchase the program, it's your forever. You can never resell it. The company is evil. So don't even waste $200 on the stupid thing since all you can do is throw it in the trash if you hate it.

To the OP: For ASL, you can find a handful of books at Barnes and Noble that help teach kids at different age levels. Some might focus on the signs, others might focus on the grammar, but the best thing you can do is find a Deaf group in your area. Even my rinky dink area has a deaf meets once a month. You'll find a variety of people there, some deaf, some hard of hearing, some hearing friends, and some hearing students in ASL class. The best thing to do is to get exposed to it.

I thought you used to be a reseller of Rosetta Stone products? Curious as to what soured you on the company. As someone who does not have a facility with language, I've been very intrigued as their system seems like something that might work for me.

 

[radmom]

Rosetta Stone online 50% for Cyber Monday!!!

 

[Lintasare]

I thought you used to be a reseller of Rosetta Stone products? Curious as to what soured you on the company. As someone who does not have a facility with language, I've been very intrigued as their system seems like something that might work for me.

You can't resell Rosetta Stone products. She and her boyfriend bought some software from a flea market seller and tried to put them up on Ebay. Rosetta Stone apparently went after them legally. That is why she is saying they are an evil company, she was caught doing something illegal. Or something like that.

This one is a fun read.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2719990