Rating Rosetta stone – guide and opinion
The purpose of this post is to objectively look at Rosetta stone reviews. The problem with reviews of any language program like Rosetta stone is the writers are not objective. I hope to not be partial or bias, when I offing my rating of this program.
Who writes opinions of Rosetta stone
There are three types of writers of reviews.
- The first one is those promoting an array of language learning software companies, but does not make their own.
- The second is a competitor of Rosetta Stone languages and trying to compare and contrast their product with the market leader.
- There is a third category of people who are writing a guide of language learning products because they used it and they wanted to be useful to others. However, this category is the rarest.
I am in the second category. However, I am also in the third. I try to remain objective and clear on the pros and cons of this language course as I believe objectivity is the essence of intelligence and honesty is the best policy. If they create a better product, the onus is on me to improve mine rather than knock someone else. Further, at this juncture I do not sell any products yet as mine are being developed.
Pros of Rosetta stone
- Easy to start using – you install and start using. Almost no learning curve to use the program
- Nice visual layout and good choice of colors
- Many level, like for example Rosetta Stone Spanish is a complete language course if you buy all the levels
- I love the visual approach
- The idea is innovative
- Many different OS and devices Rosetta Stone can be use on
- They are always adding more functionality and have recently included mp3 files.
- Clear audio pronunciation of words and phrases with native speakers. Not all language programs use native speakers. For example, Transparent languages, which is a good company, but uses a Czech speaker for their Polish language course.
- 6 month return policy – most people will not do this, but it is nice policy from a respected company
- Large Wall Street company (NYSE) whose ticker symbol is RTS if you want to buy the stock.
Cons of Rosetta Stone
- Main Rosetta Stone review opinion – I have never known one person in my life, including myself that learned to speak or read a language with Rosetta Stone. I have taught languages for many years and know many who use the program, but none who have learned from using it. There might be some, but I have not met any.
- Program teaches no grammar and is confusing
- Meaning of the images are unclear in some lessons but in others they are very interesting to look at
- Written to teach English, not European or Asian languages that have a different grammar system. I tried the Polish course and it was really confusing. Poor design in terms of presenting a foreign translation of grammatical ideas so the learner can benefit.
- I wrote a more complete review of Rosetta Stone here
- Price is ridiculously high, I personally do not have the cash to pay for a the Rolex of language learning especially if I have not personally seen the results
- Pure flashy marketing company with bright colors and eye candy but I doubt you will learn a language from it. They are masters at marketing and getting you to buy on an impulse with their colors. however, I have personally learned languages with flashcards but not with this linguistic software program, except some pronunciation as a very beginner.
Now as a large positive vote for Rosetta Stone languages, my competitor. Learning a foreign language with any program, language course or lessons is very hard work. The reason that Rosetta stone does not work might not be that the program is that bad, but people give up too soon. They pay the price and buy it on emotion but their commitment to learn their target foreign language is fleeting.
For example, my friend George did this. He paid 500 dollars for I think two levels of Spanish, now is not used. That is not Rosetta’s fault, they even offer a money back policy. I think the issue is, once you get past a few concrete nouns, abstract words and verbs really deflate many people’s motivation. Therefore, if you have will power and can afford the price, I think there is reasonable value with using Rosetta stone as long as you have the motivation to follow through and sit with it for an hour a day for six months. That is a very fair evaluation of Rosetta Stone. The free trial is not enough to apprise its effectiveness and make an informed decision, if it works or not.
My point is just do not pay and expect to learn, use it.
Rosetta Stone is rock solid in terms of programming, return policy and visual presentation but lacks in effectiveness - in my personal experience and opinion.
I do not want to end on a negative note. I have to say if you want to try anything by Fairfield Language Technologies here it is, I as a competitor am actually giving their site. I also make no money off of it, I provide it for you if you want to skip the ratings and got to rosettastone.com and reviews and go to their site. I would like to hear your experiences and ratings regarding this software, or any thoughts you might have. All positive feedback is very welcome as I want off this as a balanced analysis.
23 responses to Rosetta stone reviews – Notes from a linguist
I would love to hear the person who has ever mastered the foreign languages through Rosetta Stone. I tried this program, and what is missing is the mechanics of the grammar, the pronouns, verbs, etc, Even though you can learn what apple is, and the color, there are words that are not explained. You CANNOT learn from memory in order to construct a full sentence. This program is not good!
Toss your money in the street.
I purchased Rosetta Stone Spanish to pass a college CLEP test. After working with the programs for months, the disks just stopped working. After many months of dealing with RS tech support and returning the original disks and receiving “complimetary” disks, the still did not work. I was finally told that there is a compatibility issues with some CD drives and the RS software. Customer service stated that the version I purchased was incompatible with Vista and refused any reimbursement or replacement versions because it was over 6 months from the date of purchase. This is the worst software company I have ever encountered and the worst investment ever.
I use Rosetta Stone to learn Swedish. I am currently on level 2.
I like it. Being a visual learner, I enjoy the approach and it engages me a lot more than any other programs I have come across.
I studied French for five years and can now say as much in Swedish as I used to be able to in French – because this method of learning works for me more than classroom based learning.
It is true that it cannot be used on its own. I use it in conjunction with a grammar book and the best resource available – the internet.
I agree that the price is too high since it is not advisable to be used as a stand alone product. But using it in conjunction with other things is really effective and rewarding. I watched a Swedish film a while back and noticed where the subtitles were slightly wrong, which astounded me.
If you have the money, other resources and the willpower (and you must have the willpower.) then you will succeed.
I am in Germany and didn’t know German but I’ve been using it and it helps me understand what people are saying. I am using the program as I am using the language and it has help me a lot.
I recently recieved Rosetta stone as a gift. My initial sit down with it was 2 hours and I only got through half of the first unit. It seemed very repetitive but I found myself being able to reiterate phrases afterwards with relative ease due to this repetitiveness. I love how they teach lesson 1 and then incorporate lesson 1 refreshers into lesson 2. It’s great so far, but only time will tell its true effectiveness.
Foreign Service Institute courses are comprehensive, although a bit monotonous, but they are effective. Most people get bored or get overwhelmed, but I find them to really teach everything from the grammar, to the proper pronunciation of the words. Many people don’t like that they seem outdated and lack the bells and whistles of newer courses. However, if you can look through the antiquated look of the course and see the material, I think if a person sticks with it they will prove the most superior method of all, save for going to a university and spending a fortune to learn them.
Greek especially good.
The FSI courses are not bad at all. At one stage I was interested in learning Greek and I found that to my surprise I was making good progress. Unfortunately I was unable to continue as I need to learn Russian but I did take notice of what technique seemed to be the reason for my success, namely, building up phrases word by word.
I am using Rosetta Stone to learn Italian. And I think to really succeed with it you need to live and breath the language. I use the program every day with additional information from grammar books and workbooks bought from the bookstore, as well as the internet. I also make my own flashcards of all vocab learned during each lesson for review.
If you have the newest version, you can sign up for studio sessions where you chat with a group of learners like yourself and a native speaker. It is really encouraging and informative; keeps you motivated and excited to learn the language more.
I do wish there was more information on grammar, but I keep a notepad with me when I do the program and if I see something I don’t understand I look it up after the lesson is done.
I like it because it is a program that keeps me interested and I have fun at the same time. As far as price, it is expensive compared to other programs, but it cost less then talking 1 quarter at a community college just for an introduction to the language.
Garbage.
I borrowed a friends Korean discs and they just loop over and over again. It’s frustrating. I’m glad I know how to say “dog” and “boy” and “man”. But what good are those when in a conversation? I don’t understand anything that I’m saying. “Boy under the plane” or “plane over the boy”. No idea. I’m glad I didn’t buy this garbage or I would be extremely unhappy. I have sense bought 2 books for Korean w/audio CD’s and have two highschool girls from Seoul teaching me Korean and I’ve learned 100 times more from them than this garbage called “learning software”.
I’ve also found that using “instant immersion” or “pimsleur” software is the better way to go. You know exactly what you are studying in each little category at a tenth of the price. Rosetta Stone (shiver) no thank you. Never again.
Don’t think people master languages through Rosetta Stone? Tell that the the United States Special Forces.
If it works to learn a language than use it. I think that every thing helps. If Rosetta Stone got a contract with the military, super for them. That is a nice contract. But that does not say anything about language learning in reality.
Look if you sit with iron will with a dictionary you can make process. I was doing this for a while.
However, I am not against Rosetta Stone at all. My philosphy with language learning is do what works for you. If you have good results personally and it has brought you to fluency or convesational level use the program and recommend it and write a review here for others.
The purpose of having a post about Rosetta Stone review is so other can share their personal experiences good or bad and people can make more informed choices about the product. It is an evolving product.
I just wanted to create a page of where people can exchange information one a site not related to the company.
I’ve been using the Russian program and really enjoy it. Absolutely it is NOT a “Russian For Travelers” or “Russian In a Hurry”-type course, and I agree that at this point, I feel like I know several dozen words but lack the ability to have anything more than a rudimentary conversation. It’s kind of a “Wax On, Wax Off” method of teaching; you might not understand why you’re being taught this way, but I think you have to trust the method.
Each day, things come more and more into focus and I’m often surprised that I recognize a written word or phrase based on its “shape” (exactly how we read in English) as opposed to individual letters , and have had several “a-ha” moments.
The statement that it does not teach grammar is simply untrue; there is a grammar section in each lesson and as you go along, you notice that a word you had learned before now appears in another tense but you recognize it and thus another bit of grammar gets seamlessly put into your vocabulary.
Anyway, I think that you have to REALLY want to learn a language if you choose Rosetta Stone, and be prepared to put some serious time and effort into it but I’m confident the results will be worth it.
I’ll post again in a few months and let you know how it went!
Shape learning languages?
Sorry, I can’t agree. We don’t learn to read by recognizing the shape of words; we read by the letters in them. That’s how I learnt to read English, same with Russian. From what I understand the learn-by-shape approach to reading has resulted in widespread illiteracy. Time to go back to what we know works.
Is there ONE person out there who has learned to speak French (or, indeed any other language using Rosetta Stone? I will bet real money that the answer is no. By “speaking” I mean talking as well as a 5-year old kid who is able say such things as, “Can we stop at the restaurant that we stopped at when we went to Maine last year?” Or, how about “I didn’t get to stay up last night to watch TV, so can I stay up tomorrow night?
Two months ago, I bought Rosetta Stone Spanish levels 1-5. The program has worked better in some ways than others. I am currently on level 3 and find that I can read and understand a fair amount and uderstand a little bit less of spoken Spanish. I have the same problem with grammar that has been brought up. I have a really hard time with choosing the correct pronouns and conjugating verbs. The writer is very accurate in saying that you get discouraged at this point in the process. I took the same approach as the other poster and have used workbooks and a couple of grammar texts and keeping notes while I take the course. Having no previous language learning experience its hard for me to judge where I am in this process. The program isn’t a silver bullet, but I feel satisfied in purchasing it and using it with other study aids. I will be working in South America in six months or so and hoping it will give me a solid base to build upon with some more formal classes when I get there. One aspect I really think are helpfull that was also mentioned are the studio sessions with native speakers and the online games you can play with other learners, those have helped quite a bit especially with conjugating verbs.
By far, this is the most unbiased, accurate review I’ve read on Rosetta Stone (RS). I had nine months of formal Swedish grammar training and have been speaking it ever since (10 years). I wrongly assumed that(RS) Swedish III would take my skills to the next level; this will not happen. Revisiting the fundamentals in Swedish III is great b/c this is something I lacked during most of my Swedish language acquisition (speaking). While (RS) may be a useful supplemental tool, it does not come close to total immersion. BTW, just b/c Swedes speak English well, they frown upon those who live in their country and don’t bother to learn Swedish.
I would like to try the program, but do not know if it will be worth it. Does anyone know if the french courses are any good? What happens if your trial expires? What about then?
Rosetta stone Spanish my experience
I purchased 1 through 3 for Spanish. My wife is colombian and though we dated for a year and a half I never learned spanish from her.To sort of honor her after we were married I purchased Rosetta Stone for Spanish. I sat down with it after she and I managed to get it to work in a new laptop(install not easy) and I started lesson one.I t seems that Rosseta Stone thinks buyer know some amount of Spanish because it uses words after a short time and it doesnt warn you that this word is coming up and it doesnt define the new words it throws at you.I have no idea how to explain how hard this system is but after about 5 months of using it an hour a day 6 days a week I speak no spanish what so ever. I know no phrases and I cant say a single sentance. Rosetta is a horrible waste of money and time and I honestly hoped it would work, it does not.
Visual Link Spanish
I hope you got your money back on that Rosetta Stone course. I am not surprised you didn’t learn anything, I had a similar experience with Russian RS. Perhaps I can recommend a course for you: Visual Link Spanish at www.spanishprograms.com. I haven’t bought this course, only tried it out online but I did seem to be getting something from it. If I were to buy a Spanish language CD course I think this is the one I would get.
It's a tool but you have to learn the language
Rosetta Stone is a fast and easy way to learn, but like anything else it should only be regarded as a tool. As the learner, you still must take some initiative to go beyond the program. There is no one simple answer, no matter what language program you use. I would suggest starting out with Rosetta Stone and then buying simple children’s books in the target language, making flash cards, etc. Once you feel comfortable, find someone to converse with. Can you learn a language with just RS? No. But then you can’t with any tool. When you learned English, didn’t you learn from your parents, your school, your friends? As the learner you must do the work.
I got the full italian rosetta stone course from a friend so it cost me nothing. I took italian for 4 years in high school and so far rosetta stone conjugates the words for me and doesn’t really explain it but expects you to figure it out on your own. Now this is only after 1 lesson so I don’t know if maybe they do cover conjugation down the line. I think this program will help me to become fluent in italian because of taking it for 4 years, but so far I definitely agree that this is amazing supplemental material but that’s about it, supplemental material. If you have taken a language in school chances are you have a general understanding but are not fluent, in that situation I do feel that rosetta stone is the perfect way to further your learning. Starting from scratch though? I don’t recommend it.
In response to David about Rosetta stone review
Just a response to David about Rosetta Stone and Special Forces…hah.
You have got to be out of your mind. Special forces do not rely on Rosetta stone. The Rosetta Stone is used only as personal system a credits system (for promotions) for regular service members in the military.
Actual Special Forces and Linguists for the military go to Monterrey, California where they learn the language for possibly up to 2 years, where in reality they are studying the language using Instructors and DLI course material for 8-12hrs a day (the same amount of hours you spend doing a job). During that time they actually have immersion (I mean real immersion as in they are embedded in the languages country and environment not the bull that Rosetta Stone claims is “immersion sitting in front of your PC while English CNN is on in the background” ). The closest thing to this for civilians is are no-english instense language school like Middlebury or courses found overseas (for much cheaper).
No real language careerist I’ve ever met has actually use Rosetta Stone to achieve any level of fluency. The system and design of Rosetta Stone is the limiting factor. Fact of the matter is that RS doesnt work. Real language acquisition is lots of hard work and effort. Not an hour a day playing match games.
Semper Fi!
I think R stone would be the best starter program if they told you what you were saying too instead of just showing you. I think its stupid thay never explaine anything to you and if they did there would be no competition. I still use R stone in conjunction with other things because its fun and easy.
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