Rosetta Stone users

[RickinNYC]

If you've ever used the Rosetta Stone language learning system, mind giving me some insight? Particularly if you've used the Japanese one (but any will do). I'm considering purchasing this ASAP so that we can get a little prepared for our trip this July. It's $500, a pretty steep investment, but I'm willing to make the purchase if it's recommended. I'm checking out other websites and due to the system's approach, I'm not sure it's a good fit for me.

I speak just a little, really not enough to get buy all that great. Joe knows what I've taught him, which is barely any. We'll be with Mom most of the time and she'll serve as translator, but I had a couple of thoughts. One of which is that it'd be nice to finally really be able to communicate with my relatives, almost all of whom don't speak a word of English. The other is that Joe and I would like to spend a few days in Tokyo and Mom doesn't want to go. I know that we can get by, but it'd still be pretty handy to at least know the basics.

In any case, if you have any insight or can suggest an effective program with proven results, please let me know!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I don't know.

My dd has wanted it as well and when she finally looked at it up close, it really didn't hold up to her expectations either.

Can your mom teach you with a basic book? Having someone speak it to you and correct you is vital.

I do know that people get skype and learn that way. Like someone wants to learn english and someone wants to learn Japanese and you "talk" via the internet.

I am sure I was no help... 500 bills is just to steep for a 1 time trip for me.

 

[RickinNYC]

If Mom lived closer, I would definitely pester her. Unfortunately, the folks are 150 miles away in upstate NY.

As far as being a one time thing, actually I know Mom would be over the moon if I could actually talk to her in Japanese. She has an excellent grasp of the English language but I've no doubt she'd love to have the option of speaking her native language with one of her kids.

Plus, if I were able to speak Japanese, I'd be much more inclined to travel freely around Japan. And we'd go more than the one time.

 

[lovetoscrap]

I haven't used it but before you buy, check with the libraries. Around here we can access Rosetta Stone online at home through our library for free, and I know that many libraries around the country offer it.

 

[Uuaww]

You can try libraries. My job gave me Rosetta Stone b/c it is "highly recommended" that I learn a foreign language. Either French, Spanish or Arabic. I have started the French lesson and it is great at getting you into it right away. It takes time though and I have gone over some lessons again. You will not become fluent with Rosetta Stone, but what it will do is give you tools and vocabulary to become fluent once you are immersed in the language and culture. You will also be able to get by in a pinch.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

If Mom lived closer, I would definitely pester her. Unfortunately, the folks are 150 miles away in upstate NY.

As far as being a one time thing, actually I know Mom would be over the moon if I could actually talk to her in Japanese. She has an excellent grasp of the English language but I've no doubt she'd love to have the option of speaking her native language with one of her kids.

Plus, if I were able to speak Japanese, I'd be much more inclined to travel freely around Japan. And we'd go more than the one time.

Well, try it out and then get back with me....

 

[RickinNYC]

You can try libraries. My job gave me Rosetta Stone b/c it is "highly recommended" that I learn a foreign language. Either French, Spanish or Arabic. I have started the French lesson and it is great at getting you into it right away. It takes time though and I have gone over some lessons again. You will not become fluent with Rosetta Stone, but what it will do is give you tools and vocabulary to become fluent once you are immersed in the language and culture. You will also be able to get by in a pinch.

Thanks for the input!

 

[Briarmom]

Rick, we have French and Arabic Rosetta Stone. I think if we'd used them more, the kids would have a great vocabulary in both by now. I got bored easily with French because I knew almost all of it already, and then didn't push it with the kids.

That said, it starts off on weird things (I'm sure there is a reason). I can tell you 'the boy is under the airplane' in Arabic, but it didn't teach please/thank you/hi....maybe it does several chapters in?

I say get it. Learning a new language is always a great thing, and WHY didn't your mom teach you Japanese?!

 

[RickinNYC]

Rick, we have French and Arabic Rosetta Stone. I think if we'd used them more, the kids would have a great vocabulary in both by now. I got bored easily with French because I knew almost all of it already, and then didn't push it with the kids.

That said, it starts off on weird things (I'm sure there is a reason). I can tell you 'the boy is under the airplane' in Arabic, but it didn't teach please/thank you/hi....maybe it does several chapters in?

I say get it. Learning a new language is always a great thing, and WHY didn't your mom teach you Japanese?!

Beyond the fact that she was pretty darn busy raising three boys, and with the officers' wives' club, the Japanese wives' club, etc... I have no clue. Guess she was too pooped.

 

[Briarmom]

Beyond the fact that she was pretty darn busy raising three boys, and with the officers' wives' club, the Japanese wives' club, etc... I have no clue. Guess she was too pooped.

I didn't mean it that way. I'm just always sad when someone grows up in a bilingual family and only learns one of the languages. I love love love language, so I guess that's why. I'm Geeky McGeekerson that way.

Get the Rosetta Stone. I think you and Joe will enjoy it.

 

[almacdonald]

I found that because it uses pictures to teach you words, the program doesn't really cover abstract things or teach you how to properly conjugate verbs. It's a good start though!

 

[RickinNYC]

I didn't mean it that way. I'm just always sad when someone grows up in a bilingual family and only learns one of the languages. I love love love language, so I guess that's why. I'm Geeky McGeekerson that way.

Get the Rosetta Stone. I think you and Joe will enjoy it.

Swee'pea. I know you. That's not the only reason why you are Geeky McGeekerson.

 

[RickinNYC]

I found that because it uses pictures to teach you words, the program doesn't really cover abstract things or teach you how to properly conjugate verbs. It's a good start though!

Actually, that's exactly why I thought it might be tough to use. But it's better than nothing.

Since you've used it, I have one more question. I see that the Japanese program comes in three sections. The entire set costs $500. But just the first two sections are about $350. You think a normal user of reasonable intelligence can get through all three by July? If not, then I'll stick to just the first two and see how it goes.

 

[Handbag Lady]

Try ebay!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Rosetta-Stone-J...4|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318|301:1|293:1|294:50

I see some on there for less than $500.


Regardless, you SHOULD least try to learn. How cool would that be for your mom? I've wanted to learn Spanish for the longest time. I'm looking for a really, really discounted Spanish one.

 

[Castlebound]

You may want to look at ioffer.com or craigslist for Rosetta Stone. I got Spanish for my kids from ioffer for under $50.

 

[Cool-Beans]

A friend of mine just moved to Europe and the company gave them Rosetta Stone to learn the language. She says she likes it, but she wonders if there isn't something better out there. She's going to local schools to ask them if there isn't something better.

Good luck!!

 

[mom2rb]

My boys have been using the Japanese Rosetta Stone for a year and a half. They are not even 1/2 way through the first section. They only do it three times a week but those sections are long. I wouldn't buy the $500 set. I paid $200 for the first set.

My boys love it. They also do the Spanish Rosetta Stone. I paid for private Spanish lessons for 4 years. My boys have learned more in a year with Rosetta Stone then they did with a tutor.

 

[LilBlackSheep]

It's $500 for all three levels.

I would think that Level 1 ($259) would be suffecient enough to get you to the point that you could understand what the other person is saying.

July will be here before you know it and learning all three levels before then might be pushing it.

 

[almacdonald]

I have only used the first level of the Italian package. It's fairly intuitive for me since I also speak French and the languages have similar sentence structure and some route words. I find myself getting a bit frustrated waiting for the answer to pop-up or to be able to click on the answer. There's also A LOT of repetition. granted, repetition is what makes the new material stick! The program is set up to have you repeat lessons several times before moving on to the next. You could easily spend a couple hours/night, a couple nights/week and get through all 3. Now, whether you retain any of it or not is another matter!

If it were me, i'd probably go with the first 2 levels. As long as you know how to find a washroom, avoid eating any questionable foods, ask for directions (and follow them) and count your money, you've got a decent start! Heck, if you're keen and finish the first 2 levels, there's nothing stopping you from tackling the 3rd! My gut instinct is that Japanese will be much more difficult to learn than Italian though, since the alphabet is different.

 

[Briarmom]

Hey Rick! You can enter code emc128 and save $50 on a Level 1, $80 on a Level 1&2 Set, or $100 of a Level 1,2&3 Set + FREE Ground Shipping.