Customer Reviews

Rosetta Stone V3: Spanish (Latin America) Level 1-3 Set [OLD VERSION]

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(14)

 

 

I've tried out a variety of language software, and frankly, for the money, Rosetta Stone sucks.

In terms of teaching approach and ease of use, it's pretty comparable to the software available from Transparent Language... but it costs about 4-5 times as much.

Aside from expense, my biggest beef against the Rosetta Stone software is: it's BORING. It presents sets of four words or phrases at a time (occasionally more) - and then quizzes you on them before presenting the next set. But then it continues to repeat the previous words, at various intervals, without any variation in the teaching style.

Not only that; the pictures are the same across a lot of different language groups, so they're not culturally relevant. While this isn't an absolute must, I think it's easier to internalize the word for "girl" if the matching picture includes some aspect of the culture. For example: When I'm studying French and see a photo of a Chinese girl, it's not helpful, really... if anything, it's a distraction.

I highly recommend the Pimsleur audio courses in all languages. They're expensive to buy, but if you live in a city, they're probably available at your local library. I'd also say the Transparent Language software is a viable (and more fun) alternative and it's a lot cheaper. Eurotalk also offers video courses, some of which are fairly challenging. And if your computer is tolerant of older software, you might try Learn to Speak Spanish by the Learning Company (re-released by eLearning - I think). The Rocket language courses online aren't bad, either. But I think the myth should be dispelled that Rosetta Stone is some magical approach to learning languages, because it's not even as good as some courses which are significantly cheaper as well.

Buena suerte!

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

Rosetta Stone is not compatible with Vista, despite claims to the contrary on their website. After spending hundreds of dollars on their software, I received it only to find that I couldn't activate the product. Apparently though the program itself is compatible, the program they use for activation is not. If you read on their website in the "system requirements page" they clearly state that they disclaim any warranties related to their product's performance with Vista.

The other big problem is their customer service. Unlike most companies, which have 24/7 support, theirs is only open from 9am-8pm M-F. If you work as much as I do, these hours pretty much mean that there is no chance you'll be able to talk to them. Once I did talk to them right before closing, the person put me back into the phone system after they had closed, forcing me to leave a message.

As a result, it took me over a month to talk to them to try and resolve my problem. Eventually, they pointed out that their product is not compatible with Vista and that the only workaround was to do a phone activation. Unfortunately, their phone activation hours are only slightly better, adding a few hours on Saturday.

For a product this expensive, I expect quality customer service rather customer service that makes you change your life to get their help. I also expect honest disclosure about their compatibility with Vista. Don't say something is Vista Compatible when it actually isn't.

Rosetta Stone, treat your high paying customers better.

In lesson 1-9 and so far enjoying it. I find that I have to disengage my brain a little bit after the lessons to think back in English. I have found it helpful already not to read as the words are being spoken but close my eyes and then try to associate the phrase with the picture.

Also, before you purchase this, check with your local library. I am using this free right now with my library's online system.

Unlike M. Walters, I have had no problems installing, launching or running Rosetta Stone V.3 on my Dell Inspiron 1720 notebook with the Vista Home Premium operating system. I simply opened the box, read the directions, followed them and I was using the program ten minutes later. It has given me no trouble whatever and I am entirely satisfied. It is possible that M. Walters got a bum disc perhaps, or is having some other individual problem; but I don't think that staying away from this excellent software because you are using Vista is necessarily good advice for everyone.

After many years of trying to re-learn Spanish after high school, I finally brought home the Rosetta Stone sessions. I really enjoy the way this program works. It's easy! The interactive user interface and voice recall method, makes this a great way to learn.
Enjoy learning at your own pace and being able to redo anything for refresher. Each section gradually gets harder, so by the end of the first session I saw a real improvement. I would recommend this program to anyone.
Sincerely,
Never thought I'd make it.

great product have tried many language learning systems, this one is by far the best for learning for older people. Yes I am older than dirt.

Just installed this product on Vista and it worked like a charm, no problems at all. No crazy configuration, just clicked, installed, and activated with my serial number.

I just finished the first lesson and loved the immersion approach. Still early but I can already tell it's much higher quality than any other "Learn Spanish" software I've used in the past.

Hola! You truly can become fluent Spanish with this product, and in relatively very little time. They have made learning a new language by yourself as fun and easy as it can possibly be. Instead of just rote memorization, they've turned it into sort of a game, and they very cleverly use heavy repetition in a way that doesn't seem repetitious at all because the images and situations are always different. For example, you have a lesson which focuses on pronunciation in which you speak into a microphone and it judges your accent, then there's a lesson that focuses on writing in which you write down what you see (image of an apple: right down "una manzana"), etc. Each little lesson builds on the last, so you don't just forget everything after you complete a lesson and take a few days off. There is a huge amount of information that is poured down on you, but it's done in a very manageable way that allows you to actually LEARN the material instead of just memorizing it for the purposes of completing each lesson. If you have taken Spanish in high school then you will have an easier time, but even if you don't have a background in Spanish, if you're willing to work hard at this and have fun with it and look forward to doing it every day, then you will learn Spanish fast.

I took a star off because of the price. Get it used if you can, because honestly it's not worth the price for an average student. If you are a person who gets paid by the hour, then it probably is worth the price because it'll save you a lot of valuable time in learning a new language.

i purchased levels 1-3. the level 1 beginners, is very very beginner. if you know any spanish at all, bypass level 1 completely. also alot of time the voice recognition does not accept what i say and i have to say it the exact same way 3-4 times. other than that it is an ok product