Best language-teaching software?
February 11th, 2010 | 
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karka asked:
Rosetta Stone seems to be what all the cool kids are doing, but I checked out some reviews on Amazon and they weren’t so hot. Are there any other language-teaching programs out there on par with RS, or is it just better to spend that $400+ on a class or tutor?
Rosetta Stone seems to be what all the cool kids are doing, but I checked out some reviews on Amazon and they weren’t so hot. Are there any other language-teaching programs out there on par with RS, or is it just better to spend that $400+ on a class or tutor?
Unfortunately, taking a class at the local college is out of the question because they simply don’t offer the language I want to learn (Spanish). So this is why I’m checking out software as an alternative.
Easiest Way To Learn Spanish
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I don’t know if this will help but why do you want Rosetta Stone specifically? As a beginner, learning vocabulary is not the best approach. Rosetta Stone, like other flashcard based methods, helps expand your vocabulary base but they will not teach you the core of the language and conversational skills. Knowing many words doesn’t mean you can speak the language. I usually recommend Pimsleur to beginner students. If you want a method that focuses on conversational and reading skills, Pimsleur is the reference imo. It’s a real confidence builder, which is essential for new students. You will learn to train your ear to understand natives (an essential part of early learning often overlooked by other methods), develop very good pronunciation and acquire the core structures and grammar of your new language (Exactly what RS fails to do.) It’s also almost half the price of RS (check Amazon) and has been around for much longer than Rosetta. They don’ have the constant mind-numbing infomercials like Rosetta but I firmly believe that it’s a far better product for any beginner. Good luck.