Are the "Rosetta Stone" language CD-ROMs worth buying?

Question

The adverts are all over the newspapers and magazines and seem to have good testimonials, but the software comes at a hefty price (expensive for a student anyway).

If anyone out there has used a Rosetta Stone CD-ROM, can they tell me if it was worth it?

Answer 1

I tried it with German and did not like it. I think that if I had been a beginner and started at the beginning then it would have been fine. It wasn't terrible but I got bored with the vocab I already knew but if I had skipped ahead, then I would have missed some that I didn't know. Nothing beats a live course if you can find one.

Answer 2

i would say "get it shawty" but i don't really think that his album is gonna b dat good. i mean he's no Chris Brown so 2 speak. ne wayz just stop 2 think about it, how much do u like those songz if it's enough 2 buy the CD then do it. i understand there are some albums that i could buy off of 1 song! Another option is to ask the opinion of somebody "smart" enough 2 even buy the CD and if u could maybe borrow it. I do this all the time that's how i found out the Bow Wow's Price of Fame wasn't worth the price.LOL!!!

Answer 3

Check with your library first! Our library (Phoenix Public Library) has online access to Rosetta Stone for free with a valid library card. Doesn't work if you aren't in Phoenix, but I'm guessing they aren't the only ones out there who do this. In most languages, it only goes through level 1 (Spanish is 1 & 2), but it gives you a chance to "try before you buy".

Answer 4

I've not used them myself. I prefer the BBC language courses. I know people who have learned languages with Rosetta Stone and others who don't get on with them.

As with any learning technique, they suit some people and not others. If you're studying languages, you'll probably find them irritating. If you're studying science, you may like them.

Answer 5

I have a question about the Rosetta Stone system. They say they have native speakers, but they offer Latin. How is that possible? I've considered using them myself.

Answer 6

My wife uses it for my son. He seems to like it, but he's been using it as a 9/10 year old. I don't think he's proficient at spanish yet, but the style seems decent.

Unfortunately, I can't compare it to anything else.

I think it's as good as others, maybe better than most, but don't know if it's far superior.

Answer 7

Absolutely, my husband is using it to learn German. My best friend's husband is using it to learn Russian. They are both doing wonderfully and find it enjoyable.