Are the Rosetta Stone Programmes really as effective as they claim to be?

Question

I'm considering trying it out given that I've long completed the Spanishdict learning lessons. It just seems quite pricey and I'm not sure whether it is a good investment to make.

Answer 1

I think it's pretty telling that a Rosetta Stone user had to ask us the difference between lava and lavo. I'm not saying that Rosetta Stone is worthless, but it seems way overpriced to me.

• "Way overpriced" is how I'd put it, too. - --Mariana-- Feb 18, 2011
• I noticed that, too. - dogwood Feb 18, 2011
• Is RS's price not known to anyone at this time, or is it some kind of courtesy not to give out the price? - cristalino Feb 18, 2011
• Look up Rosetta Stone Spanish at Amazon.com. I can't remember the exact prices, but it's like $270 for a single unit or you can get a "discount" by buying all units together for just under $700. - webdunce Feb 18, 2011

Answer 2

There are several threads on this forum about Rosetta and Pimsleur.

I prefer Pimsleur and Learning Spanish Like Crazy, which both can be purchased cheaper or even borrowed for free from the library.

I didn't like Rosetta Stone because it was boring.

Answer 3

Rosetta will likely help, but I don't believe they teach grammar and basic sentence construction. It would probably be good if you supplimented Rosetta with some good grammar textbooks.

I like the videos on this site.

There are several threads on this forum about Rosetta and Pimsleur. You might want to review them before you decide.

Hope that helps!

• Thanks dogwood. I had not thought of checking the threads. Will do. - croberts Feb 18, 2011

Answer 4

It's expensive, it is good, but if you use it, it should only be one of your Spanish learning tools. It's good to have more than one approach and use the ones that are fun.

Other cheaper tools: Work books with answers in the back, Destinos web site, and you can buy good used books and work books for it at Amazon.com, I tunes have several free pod cast that are very good, Spanish young adult books from your library or book store Check out www.meetup.com for a "Spanish inter-combio" in your area. This has world wide listing of groups of people who want to get together on a regular bases to spend one hour speaking English and one hour speaking Spanish.

Answer 5

A teacher at my local community college really endorsed Pimsleur. She had used it in the past and continues to do so with other languages.