Hey all,
So there’s a one-day special on Amazon that has Rosetta Stone Levels 1-5 and a 6 in HD Kindle on sale for $200, but it is ONLY good for today. That means that the Rosetta Stone content is basically being sold for about $150. I’ve been looking at it for awhile, but there is often not a sale on it, and it never seems to be a big enough discount. I know RS has sold for as high as $500 in the past. The Kindle would be a Christmas present for my sister.
ETA: the cheapest I’m finding it anywhere else right now is $200 for RS only.
I had 4 years of Spanish in high school and 2 in college, but, well, you know what happens if you don’t use it… :rolleyes: The thing is that I’m going to volunteer at a women’s shelter in PDX, and being able to speak at least some Spanish would be the most useful thing-- they’re actually asking for volunteers with some knowledge.
Thoughts? Advice? Opinions? Only eight hours left!!
Rosetta Stone has a very specific philosophy and they stick to it religiously. They don’t teach grammar or spelling, but rather attempt to teach language by associating words and phrases with images on the screen. The idea is that you learn a language gradually through repetition and association, like a child does, rather than through formal instruction.
The problem with this approach is that all children eventually go to school to receive formal instruction in their native language, and small children only learn languages the way they do because they have to. An adult already has a native language and can use it to explain rules and features of a new language.
I’ve done two levels of Rosetta Stone German and I find this approach about equally compelling and infuriating. I recommend picking up some supplementary materials if you’re serious about learning a language; I think Rosetta can be an excellent tool but it’s not good enough to stand on its own as a curriculum.
Also get a microphone for your computer if you don’t have one already. The speech training exercises are helpful.
ETA: My goal is to finish German Level 5 by April. We’ll see how it goes.
RS is a ripoff, just a lot of pretty pictures, no substance. Don’'t waste your money or your time (it’s very time-consuming, while you learn very little). I wouldn’t even pay $2 for it.
A free online course (I highly recommend Duolingo https://www.duolingo.com/) is a much better way to learn and won’t cost you a dime.
I’m trying to register/login for Duolingo but having some issues. the FB signin flashes on the screen and then disappears. Google asks to dl an app, but doesn’t seem to do anything once it’s downloaded. Any tips there?
And please, everybody, more ideas on courses would be greatly appreciated!
I first registered with their smartphone app, then migrated to their website and used my login info to get in. Sorry your’re having trouble…hope this might help?
Duoling is basically the exact same content as Rosetta Stone, and has the advantage of being free. It is really, really similar. At the very least, spend some time with it to get to know the teaching method. I take well to that particular philosphy, but I found the Rosetta Stone lessons too boring to stick with.
I also highly suggest the CatAcademy Cat Spanish App. It’s actually very good.
Rosetta Stone goes on sale all the time, so don’t worry about missing this opportunity.
This is an obvious scam–the Rosetta Stone is in the British Museum! No one is going to sell you a world famous, unique, priceless historical artifact! Someone is just–
I respectfully disagree that they are the same content. Totally different IMHO. Duolingo doesn’t just show you a bunch of pretty pictures and leave you guessing. It actually teaches you, rewards you with goals, and just has a much better interface.
I travel extensively, and have found that my fellow travellers in other countries have nothing but disdain and roll-eyes for Rosetta Stone. The fact that they hawk it in airports to stressed travelers just shows how they are marketing a slickly packaged, overpriced product to uninformed consumers.
the FB signin flashes on the screen and then disappears. Google asks to dl an app, but doesn’t seem to do anything once it’s downloaded. Any tips there?