Almighty Dad | A stay at home dad blog

Last week I told you all about what a pain in the butt Rosetta Stone software can be and how outrageously overpriced it is.  This week I’m going to tell you why, if you’re really dedicated, Rosetta Stone might just be the method you need.  The bottom line is that Rosetta Stone is doing something that hasn’t been done outside the classroom before.  They are attempting to approximate for you an immersion experience.  They’re building a community of language learners, like you, who can act as pseudo classmates and a mutually cooperative support network.  That interaction alone is a quantum leap forward in home language learning.  What’s more is the recent addition (as part of the Totale package included with version 4) of native speakers who help guide you through the program by way of post-unit, live tutoring sessions.  These sessions serve as milestones and checks on your progress.  If you don’t ace the live session, simply go back, review, and try again later.  Nothing beats living in a place where no other language is spoken except the one you’re learning; however, short of packing up and moving to Germany, Rosetta Stone might be the second best option.  It seems overpriced compared to some other programs; but, for some people, it’s easily worth the investment.  After all, what good is trying to learn a language if you’ll quit after a few weeks out of boredom?     

Live Sessions:     

I skipped the live sessions until last week.  I figured they couldn’t possibly be comprehensive.  I thought they were probably a gimmick.  They aren’t.  I scheduled one for 3:30PM last Friday and made sure to be exactly on time when it started.  I logged into my account and, sure enough, Talii was waiting for me.  She controlled everything.  All I had to do was listen to her and follow her instructions.  It was conducted entirely in German (except for the bits where I accidentally slipped into Spanish when I got confused).  Despite being a German speaking novice I was able to do the entire 50 minutes without ever speaking a word of English.  The sense of accomplishment I got from that experience validated the time I’ve spent studying solo.  Without the interaction of native speakers it’s hard to gauge how far you’ve progressed.  Without an occasional reality check a person might think he’s better than he really is and be discouraged when he finds out he needs improvement.  Or he might not have the confidence to maintain enthusiasm through the course, thinking he isn’t making any progress when, in fact, he’s making big strides.  Totale’s inclusion of the native speaker interface is probably the most important improvement in Rosetta Stone version 4.  If you buy the software and don’t use that feature, you’ll be shortchanging yourself.     

Audio Companion:     

Rosetta Stone Version 4 also comes with audio companion CD’s.  I know, it sounds old school.  But, let me tell you something about learning languages.  When you learn a language you employ all your senses, not just your hearing.  Associating words with physical images is the first step in learning a new language.  At some point, though, you’re going to need to listen to the language with your eyes closed and still be able to recall the images that go with the words.  That’s what the CD’s are for.  After you complete a unit, you should spend time listening to just the CD audio version of your lesson (the CD’s are reviews of the software lessons, not stand alone products).  I was surprised at how much harder it was to follow just the words even though it was the same lesson I had just done the day before with pictures involved.  Thus, if you think the CD’s are an unnecessary component, think again.  Put them in your car and listen to them as you drive.  It’ll make a huge difference.     

Take it Seriously and You’ll Succeed:     

Any person of average intelligence can learn a new language.  What it takes is just a little hard work and persistence.  It’s easy to be convinced, after watching some of the Rosetta Stone advertisements, that learning a new language is going to be simple.  It isn’t simple, and that’s why people quit.  People quit lots of things because they’re either lazy or have really short attention spans, and languages are no different.  Rosetta Stone software has finally evolved to be the all inclusive method they’ve always promised but never, until now, delivered.  The product is way too expensive for anybody who lacks complete dedication.  To get everything out of the software and to get your money’s worth, be prepared to spend at least an hour a day (probably 2) learning.  No amount of fancy advertising is going to make the actual product a breeze, but it’s a hell of a lot smoother than boring yourself with grammar books.       

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