Customer Reviews

Rosetta Stone V3: French, Level 1 & 2

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Two months ago, I bought V3 French Level 1&2 following positive experiences with V2 German and V2 Italian. Thus far, my wife has been the primary user and is enjoying it very much.

My problem is with the license restrictions. With V2, we could each install the basic application on our own computers and then exchange the CDROM that has the actual language content. With V3, you no longer need the language CDROM to run the application, but the license is for one computer only. Supposedly you can never move it back after transferring it to a different computer.

To use V3, I will need to borrow my wife's computer. She will become annoyed when she wants to check her email or browse the web. We can't travel with Rosetta Stone on a laptop if we have it installed on a desktop. If Rosetta Stone is so distrustful of its customers, please just give us a hardware dongle to prevent multiple simultaneous users.

BACKGROUND
Using Rosetta Stone French (v.3) on a Mac iBook G4 (10.3.9). Using home school addition. Have used it for last 6 weeks.

SUMMARY
In spite of the cost, the awkward port from Windows and difficult network set up, it's still best of class for learning a foreign language.

REVIEW
Powerful, detailed and complicated: those are the adjectives I would use to describe this program. If you want to learn the language, then this program systemically teaches it to you. It keeps record of your progress, gives tests and records your grades. It treats you as if you are a student in a classroom. Additional workbook, study guide and included microphone headset supplement the visual and audio CD disk. But having said all this, there are some things I wish as a Mac user that I would have known.

The set-up of the program is SO non-intuitive and non-mac like. This includes installation of the application and its MANY helper files needed to run in the background with the main program disk. In my former life, I was an Apple System engineer, so I am no stranger to the Mac and networks setups. But even this installation caused me to eventually have to call Rosetta's technical support for instruction. This is partially due to my complicated home network set up (I've got multiple Macs with multiple (non-Mac) Routers that work as Access Points and bridges), and partially because of the complexity of installation of the program itself. This is definitely NOT a "drag-and-drop", or "double click to un- compress" or even "double click and follow the step by step instruction" type of experience. It is "multi-step, enter by hand, enter in data and information" type of installation process.

That is what is most disappointing to me. This is a BAD PORT of a PC program. They did nothing to make the program conform to Apple program standards. This means there are many helper files (20 something??!!!) in various folders. There is a network component that HAS TO run in the background for the main language program to run. This means you have to always first launch this secondary program (or leaving it running all the time). If you run on a network (like I do), you have to assign the computer's IP address that the program is running on (can't use the default, non-network IP given by the setup program). If your computer ever is assigned a different IP address locally by your router (power goes out, etc), then you will have to make some changes or this network helper file will not launch, and therefore, the language program will not either.

Getting to the place to even begin to first use the program is a tedious and complicated process. Another helper program that keeps track of the students progress must also first be set up. The "teacher's" name, access settings, the "student's" name(s) and their access privileges must first be established. ALL THIS IS DONE AWKWARDLY AND IN AN IBM 90'S INTERFACE. Constant referring to the user guide is necessary. There is no way some one could figure out what to do by only looking at the screens.

And this is the main criticism of the program, this clunky interface, non-intuitive layout of material is the same throughout the entire presentation of the language program. The program's strengh--the detailed comprehensive, multi-media presentation of material--is also it's greatest weakness. It's hard to follow where you are, where to go, what stage you are in, how much further you have to go on any given unit, lesson or session. The implementation of more than one user account and switching between the two is counter intuitive as well.

My 16 year old daughter, is now working her way through the program and has used it enough now to understand how to advance though it. But it was a slow start. She is enjoying the program and is learning the language of her love, and I have no doubt this program is a great help, I just wish more effort and forethought was given to making it more elegant in its presentation. Basically this looks to me like a 90's program in desperate need of a face lift. While calling the toll-free tech support and talking with a couple of different individuals, you quickly come to understand these people don't fully understand the Mac. The first individual had to pass me on once he discovered my Mac issues. The second was very polite and patient and we finally got my set up to work. But it wasn't easy for them since I was on a Mac. And I bet if you call you will get the same two people, They are, after all, not a help desk, but a language learning software company.

CONCLUSION
OK, so that's it. I hope this review was helpful. I've tried to share my experience for other Mac users so they know more of what to expect before they buy the program. A program that has (from my research) no other comparison as far as best in class for learning a foreign language, but a program that--in it's implementation and presentation as far as on Macintosh computers is concerned--leaves a lot to me desired.

Tom

I bought French Level 1&2, and I went through Level 1 so far. For someone like me, with zero background in French and no time for going to language classes, the software does a very good job. If you have realistic expectations and don't think you should be fluent in French after Level 1, the progress is truly amazing. I like the combination of audio, visual aids, spelling and pronunciation drills- add numerous repetitions to the mix, and you will be surprised how much you can learn. I would recommend buying a separate grammar reference book though, as sometimes intuitive learning is not sufficient, and being able to see the whole structure helps a lot. I have tried some other language self-study courses before, and I can say that Rosetta is the most effective one.
Also, I am a Mac user, and I did not have any issues with the software installation (and I am not a tech savvy person!). I think that the problems described in some previous reviews may only relate to network settings, on a single computer the software works just fine.

Though I have had courses in the French language over my lifetime, I find that this one tends to be an easier way to learning the language. To a new learner, pictures of items and rote learning helps immensely. To someone who does know the languge, it is a very good refresher and aids in remembering the way the language is constructed. This is rote learning, plain and simple. Repeat things over that you get wrong until you get them right.
However, without a dictionary or a text, the construction of sentences , verb forms, etc can be confusing to a beginner. It is memorize how it is written or said but without a reason for its being written or said in that manner.
In fairness, I have not completely used the total level 1 & 2. There may be an explanation or raison d'etre for how thw languge is presented in the Rosetta Stone series. Unfortunately, I have not come in on the ground floor for this language, so my thoughts may be biased.

My husband and I have made a commitment to learn French. We are going to France this summer and have been there twice already. We want to be better able to communicate. We received Rosetta Stone about a month ago and have both been impressed with the program. You must wear the headphone which is synced to your individual voice. You listen to the
pronounciation throughout the lessons and then must repeat words and sentences. It has sound indicators to tell you whether you are pronouncing correctly. The program leads you through pictures where you match words or sentences. There are vocabulary, grammar, speaking, and writing lessons. There are also review sections to keep reinforcing the material. It is like playing a game and becomes quite a challenge!
For home based learning without an instructor, we think it is GREAT!
Donna and Ben Lanza

It is mostly my wife studying French with this for a planned trip to France this summer. She has been very pleased. Rosetta's technique is more of an emersion in the language than the old rote memorization ways we were taught languages in school. (This is a 1969 HS graduate talking.) Highly recommended, but not cheap!

I bought the french version for my girlfriend this christmas. Some friends had recommended Rosetta Stone and it is indeed great. Very fun to use, and it seems to be working though my girlfriend only went through the first part of the first lesson so far. You need to be able to at least set aside 1 hour of uninterrupted time to really follow the chunks of the lessons.
I will try to update the review in a few months, once we use it more.

The software itself is fair enough (albeit for a price)!

The main problems are with customer support and more importantly licensing rules.

Customer support have not been easy to get replies from (I have tried 6 times now with email)! But the problem of licensing 'seats' is this:

You are allowed 2 'seats' for your program to run with.....so, you can install and use it on 2 computers and that is it. If you want to install on more than 2 it won't work. If one of your computer hard drive fails you cannot install again on another computer! If you want to study with a few friends on other computers you can't!

Be warned people - only 2 seats -

I wish I had this software when I was learning English (my second language) at 12 years old. Now at 42 and this software I can learn any language without fear, as the way children learn. I was speaking French in 15 min, without having to memorize words in a traditional way. An amazing way of learning languages. In the first chapter, in 15 min, I was able to say it in French when the software shows me a picture of a woman swiming.

Bought this from Amazon for my wife. It ran for two months then complained it was not activated.
Same machine, same user.
IMPOSSIBLE to speak to a support rep.
Might be OK software, I don't use it, but I'm stuck trying to talk to jackasses who don't answer their phones.