The Best Learning Software
Curious as to some thoughts on the best learning software out there for Spanish. I know Rosetta Stone is one of the most popular, but I have heard many mixed reviews. Some love it, some hate it.
What about you? What do you recommend?
¡Gracias!
9 Answers
I tried a few - including Rosetta Stone which I didn't like. This site which unbelievably free, is better than any software I've found or paid money for.
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I agree with Kerri, I tried it and it was very frustrating. You are essentially playing a guessing game with the pictures. I tried the Spanish and if I had not known a little Spanish already the course would have driven me crazy. I tried the Arabic course and without having any reference to a romance language related alphabet it was hopeless. Or maybe I am just hopeless. In any case, I can get all the Rosetta Stone courses for free so cost was not the issue. In my opinion this site is superior to Rosetta Stone.
Rosetta Stone really sucks. We reviewed some of the features and benefits for a class of mine. First, they give you a picture and then tell you a word. At first, this may not seem too complicated (if they show you a dog and the word is dog). But as the lessons get more advanced, you get a random picture of a day in the park. And then they say something. But you don't know to what they are referring. To assist you in learning Spanish, this website is wonderful. I finished a report on this website a couple of days ago which I will present to my professor today. You cannot go wrong as everything is free.
I recently completed the first three levels of Rosetta Stone, Latin American Spanish, and I liked it. Yes, it was sometimes frustrating to see a picture of something and have to figure out what was going on and how to respond, as mentioned in earlier posts. But it was very good in helping me figure out "the rules" and develop a feel for how the language works. The voice recognition software was also helpful for learning the pronunciation of basic sounds. The big drawback of Rosetta Stone, in my opinion, is the cost. I borrowed the software. I do not plan to buy the next two levels that are available unless I could get them at a significantly lower price.
I found Rosetta Stone rather boring. I mean, it was so schematic, formulaic... and it took me ages to find out with Rosetta what I have learnt here. Now I see that these - very few, luckily - hours spent on learning with the programme was a waste of time. I prefer learning here, I use plenty other resources, books, Spanish podcasts, songs etc. But I guess some people might find the Rosetta´s formula useful and user-friendly.
I recently completed the first three levels of Rosetta Stone, Latin American Spanish, and I liked it. Yes, it was sometimes frustrating to see a picture of something and have to figure out what was going on and how to respond, as mentioned in earlier posts. But it was very good in helping me figure out "the rules" and develop a feel for how the language works. The voice recognition software was also helpful for learning the pronunciation of basic sounds. The big drawback of Rosetta Stone, in my opinion, is the cost. I borrowed the software. I do not plan to buy the next two levels that are available.
This site is great but interactive exercises from software were very helpful to me. I paid only $20 for software at target called Learn to Speak Spanish Deluxe, it was well worth it. Also Berlitz Before you know it and Immersion software are helpful for the learner with basic knownledge already. They are also priced well
this website is really helpful and wonderful. try to complete all the lessons.
