Is Rosetta Stone worth it?

Question

Rosetta Stone is so expensive, but I'd like to improve on my french and spanish speaking and reading skills. If it is worth it, let me know and I'll probably buy it, but if you all have any other suggestions for less expensive alternatives - please let me know!

Thanks in advance!!!

Answer 1

Yeah I'd say so.........

They have a 6 month, money back guarantee!!!!!!

Answer 2

In my personal opinion, only get rosetta stone if you want to review the basics of the language. Ive looked at the program myself to see what the hype was all about and frankly, it was c**p. I mean its good if you want to learn some basic things if your vacationing in a foreign country or review simple things, but if you want to extend your knowledge of the language further and more in depth don't get it.

Answer 3

Well, there is a variety of software for that....

There is also the Tell Me More program which I believe is more highly ranked than the Rosetta Stone one. Actually, there are ways of ''downloading'' those programs off the net, but I will not comment on that.

Also, don't limit yourself to just those programs, go on the wikipedia and see their wikibooks which are OK. Get some French and Spanish grammar texts from library, etc... Expand as much as possible.

Cheers.

Answer 4

Yes! it is worth it! I use it for my Spanish! (that reminds me I need to used it Monday for school) anyways yes you should totally buy it ^_^

Answer 5

I've heard it's really good. Don't trust it until you do enough research on it. I have found that if you try to learn a language through a program or different books...they have different meanings and it only confuses you. You should try it out though it's had a lot of positive feedback!

Answer 6

Rosetta Stone is well worth the money.

Goes In depth

Answer 7

livemocha.com is free and works the same way!

I don't think rosetta stone would be ideal for improving a language since it's a whole new way of learning compared to classes or tapes. I think that once you started learning a language in a certain way, you should stick with it. I tried to improve my japanese with livemocha but sometimes it was too easy and sometimes it was too hard. I'm learning mandarin on livemocha fresh though and so far it is going well. :)

Answer 8

Yes.  It is a good program.

But don't use it alone.  You must go out and communicate with others who speak the language.  Native speakers who are bilingual are the best bet.

Unlike most other software based language learning systems, Rosetta Stone goes after all aspects of learning the language.  You learn to speak, understand, and read the language.  These are three separate skills.

I'm learning spanish and one of the first things I started was to start going to Laundromats to listen to the Latinos talk.  They assumed I could not understand them, so they didn't mind talking near me.  When they used words I did not know, I would try to write down how they used the word and look it up later.

Answer 9

No!

I've seen the software firsthand and I think it is ridiculously simplistic and hellishly overpriced.

If you want to learn a language properly, you need a teacher.  RS is 3 "chapters" to get you through what 1 semester at your local community college teaches, but each chapter is about $150.  I guarantee you can find a local college with a good teacher teaching a language class that is less than $450, and your experience with real people will be so much more challenging (and rewarding!).