Customer Reviews

Rosetta Stone: Chinese Explorer

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This software is intended to be an explorer of The Rosetta Stone Chinese *Level 1*. Great emphasis should be put on the word EXPLORER as this software should not be mistaken for a complete learning program.

The Explorer contains the first 22 lessons of Level 1 but it does not ship with a text. The biggest thing missing is the text!

I have found the Rosetta Stone teaching method, where pictures are used to convey the meaning of spoken words to be fun. However, without a text to guide you though complicated phrases and grammar the software is not very effective. I have found it difficult to follow beyond lesson 8.

You should not expect to learn much Chinese from the Explorer, you should rather view it as a sample for evaluating the effectiveness of the Rosetta Stone method before spending $...+ on the Level 1 software.

What a great program!! You can choose Pin Yin, Simplified Characters, or Complex Characters. There is plenty of variety: you can read, write (pin yin), speak, listen, take tests, or use a tutor. You can have the native speakers say a phrase over and over or slow their voices down. The pictures are great and the feedback instantaneous. It is easy to spend hours at a time using this program. I find it helpful to have a pin yin dictionary handy every once in a while to occasionally look up a vocabulary word. I've seen remarkable progress in a very short time. The CD has 22 lessons with over 200 more available from the manufacturer. Great product. Good price.

The pictures are very nice and the software provides a fun way to learn some basic words and phrases. It's a good basic introduction to the language. If you really want to learn how to read Chinese, though, or even understand how the characters work, you'll need a good textbook and possibly a Chinese reading & reference software program like Clavis Sinica.

if you really, really like to learn mandarin, don't waist your money,this program have many beatifull picture,but no have a book to fallow, you my think that you learn to say HOUSE went they mean something out...also chinese explore don't teach you the 4 diferent tone for speak mandarin , better buy any book with tape record in any bookstore.

This product is so old the box was yellow. System compatibility on the box was win 3.1,98 and NT... So I think that it is older than ME or 2000 (8 to 10 years old). It wouldnt install on my XP notebook. :-(

Super CDs. Got them for my twenty-year-old son. It's amazing how much and quickly he is learning. What a great product.