Rosetta Stone

[corky441]

Just wondering if anyone has attempted to learn the language of the country you traveled to?

I'm thinking of doing the Viva Italia tour next year and I'm thinking of getting the Rosetta Stone program to learn some Italian.

Considering the free time in the various cities, I was wondering if anyone felt hindered if they didn't speak the language and/or didn't understand signs?

I doubt that I'd get fluent, but thought it would be a nice gesture to try to converse a bit in the native tongue at least...

Any thoughts would be most appreciated

 

[Chropistopy]

I've been wondering the same thing. I have hopes to do the Knights & Lights tour next year. I've been eyeing the Rosetta Stone: French Edition. I agree that it would be nice to be able to at least attempt to converse in the native language.

 

[sayhello]

I agree with Christy. Locals always seem to appreciate it if you at least attempt to communicate with them in their own language.

I know it would have helped me if I'd known Italian when I got lost in Florence...

Sayhello

 

[gem21]

We've used RS in our school to help the kids learn French...

I think it's a great program, but I could see it being a bit boring, honestly for adults. Like the concept is good and condusive to learning, but it's very repetitive (I know it's good for learning languages, but I wish there was more variety). I know the first couple of lessons were simple words/verbs (girl/boy, man/woman, eating, drinking, swimming, walking etc...)

However, the programs are VERY expensive, close to 500$ for the program (a few levels, just one level by itself is close to 200$), so honestly I don't think it's worth it for that much money if it's just you/your family going to use it.

 

[kjd469]

I would say that if you are just wanting to purchase the RS to learn a few words to use on your Italy trip - no..not worth it. RS is expensive and to be honest, when travelling to Italy or France for that matter, you really only need to know the basics..hello, goodbye, please, thank-you etc. English is spoken in abundance in most of the major tourist areas...and even if you attempt your "newfound language" 99% of the time, the waiters, shopkeepers, etc. will speak or reply to you in English.

If you truly want to learn Italian, or another language, yes, RS is helpful but will take time and more than one level to achieve any kind of fluency...which as another poster said can be upwards of $500.

I purchased RS when we moved to Mexico, to learn Spanish...the problem with these types of language learning systems is they are very broad - dialects are different as are meanings of words...The type of Spanish I need to function and navigate my city are different than the general terms I was taught on RS. I learned far more by attending a Spanish language school here in our city, learning the Spanish that is spoken here.

Lonely Planet makes a series of pocket-sized language books which are, IMHO, really great and useful for a traveller to a foreign country...all the basics of asking for directions, food, money, etc. geared toward the country you are visiting. Honestly, this would be much more useful to you.

Have a wonderful time planning your trip

 

[LTFrench]

We used One Day Italian, $9.99 from Barnes and Noble, advertised as speak Italian in just 50 words. Worth every penny for the 30 or so words we learned, we used maybe 20 of them on the Viva Italy trip, LOL! It was kind of kitschy, but fun leading up to our trip. I put it on our ipods in addition to listening to in the car.

I would not invest in RS, did that in the past and it wasn't worth the money, well unless you are supplementing a higher education language course, then maybe...

 

[Pakey]

My husband and I did 16 days in Italy on our own (went to Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome, Amalfi coast) and only knew a handful of Italian words (carried a pocket size Italian dictionary that was helpful in restaurants).

With the exception of Milan, we found the language barrier to be workable, especially in Florence and Rome where it seemed everyone spoke decent English.

I tried the RS program before going but it bored me to tears.

 

[LTFrench]

Well, One Day Italian, is funny, at least!
And yes a pocket/purse dictionary is a must. We like the....... one I can not think of, or find, right now........ But it is divided up by eating, drinking, shopping, getting around.....

 

[Diskidatheart]

I was going to do RS before our Italy trip as I was able to obtain it for free from work, and I can tell you I got through 2 days....more like 2 hours. It was not what I needed to get around. Instead I bought a 99 cent app for my iphone and it had all the basic travel words, sentences, etc. that you need. Definitely not worth the money since they speak a lot of English in Italy. It is good to know the basics though...they do appreciate it.

 

[Millie12591]

I homeschool my dd11 and I'm wondering if it's worth it to buy the first lesson of french on RS for a years worth of homeschooling? I know nothing about it and can't seem to find reviews for the homeschooling aspect of it.

 

[corky441]

The price of the program is what Was putting me off at first, but after these responses I think I'm going to check for some iPhone apps and/or language learning podcasts.
That will leave more $$$ for shopping in Italy

 

[pjacobi]

If you attempt to speak the local language in a major European city to a native, they will probably roll thier eyes, sigh, and speak to you in perfect English!

Europeans do not appreciate your mispronunciation of their beautiful language.

In tourist areas, you will probably hear more English and Japanese rather than Italian.

It is helpful to learn the numbers, simple questions and polite phrases. Europeans do appreciate the effort, but do not want to listen to you struggle with their language.

Tours often isolate you from the locals, limiting contact.

For better interaction with locals, plan your own your tour of Europe ala Rick Steves.


-Paul

 

[bytheblood]

Rosetta Stone is a great application and well worth the cost.

 

[Principessa]

The price of the program is what Was putting me off at first, but after these responses I think I'm going to check for some iPhone apps and/or language learning podcasts.
That will leave more $$$ for shopping in Italy

Another free option is to go to www.about.com, search french or italian language and sign up for their travel french/italian email newsletter. This site has lots of options for starting to learn either language.

www.wordreference.com is a resource for looking up individual words
in many languages. You can click on the word and hear it pronounced, a fun feature. They also have forums where you can ask about words or phrases and native speakers and other learners may post answers.

In my experience Europeans have often been kind and appreciative of my efforts when I spoke with them, in English or their language. Not everyone in Europe is an impatient eye roller. I've found that people who have trained to work in the travel industry like to practice using their English, which may be a reason they answer you in English.

Learning a few phrases for your trip is a great idea...good luck!

 

[ILoveMyGirls]

We are using it to teach our girls Spanish. IMO, it is a great investment. It is a heck of a lot better than the Spanish classes they have been in within the school system.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Learning a little of the language can be helpful and fun. I would start with Fodor's Living language, It comes with a phrasebook and CD.The Pimscleur method is also pretty good. If you progress further and want to learn more, the RS program is great. It has helped me quite a bit.

Just a couple of suggestions, practice speaking (the language) at least 10 minutes a day and have a little fun with it. Don't be afraid to make mistakes...the locals will appreciate your effort.

 

[healthrn]

Just wondering if anyone has attempted to learn the language of the country you traveled to?

I'm thinking of doing the Viva Italia tour next year and I'm thinking of getting the Rosetta Stone program to learn some Italian.

Considering the free time in the various cities, I was wondering if anyone felt hindered if they didn't speak the language and/or didn't understand signs?

I doubt that I'd get fluent, but thought it would be a nice gesture to try to converse a bit in the native tongue at least...

Any thoughts would be most appreciated

Hi Corky441 I am going to Germany real soon and I purchased Rosetta Stone earlier this year. I really like it to help say the essentials. I have often read that if you attempt to speak their language they will appreciate it and then speak english. I had purchased Levels 1,2,and 3. That was too much. I haven't been able to get to level 3 yet and won't because of time. I think, if anything, it will show I tried to learn and it has been fun! Hope this helps

 

[corky441]

I think it all boils down to respect for the people of the country you're visiting.
I want to be able to show them that I at least took the
time to speak with them.
The term "ugly American" isn't bantered about as much any longer, thankfully.
I think it would be just plain rude to point at pictures, maps, food and words in a phrase book and not at least attempt to vocalize my wishes. That's just good manners and being respectful

 

[amcnj]

I have to say that I found that in some countires the people seem to enjoy trying to converse with you in English and almost are proud to show they know some English. France was an exception, where most seemed to appreciate any effort you made to speak French.

There used to be relatively inexpensive ($25 or less) self taught cassettes (now I assume cd's) that you could use to learn a langauge. I actually purchased a set to learn some French, and found hearing the words and phrases and repeating them back while commuting did give me at least a small comfort level with the language, and some idea of the flow of the language and how to put a sentence together.

 

[tmmalave]

I have been following this thread with interest. Do you know any Spanish? The languages (as with all romance languages) is very similar. I would try to learn the basics. If you know some Spanish, you will be surprised at how much you understand.