Does Anyone Recommend/Not Recommend Rosetta Stone for Learning a Foreign Language??

[Yavin4]

I want to learn both French and German by this time next year? Doable?

[Chan790]

1. Doability is contingent upon you.

I will tell you it's nearly impossible to learn two new languages at-once as an adult. So you'd have to do them consecutively at twice the normal rate and manage to have ongoing immersive experiences so you don't lose fluency almost immediately.

But, yes...it can be done. I don't know how good Rosetta Stone is, I learned Spanish working in the bank...I learned ASL online from Dr. Bill Vicars at Lifeprint (http://www.lifeprint.com/) with immersion from hanging around the area around Gallaudet University. (I can vouch that this is an exceptional rapid-learning program for starting-out learners of ASL though you will need to study/immerse with people in the non-hearing community.)

[KamaAina]

8. Cool!

I knew I liked you! :thumbsup:

[kentauros]

2. I know some people that have used Live Mocha,

although I don't know about learning two languages at once. It's a free service with language-specific forums and their software is supposed to be like Rosetta Stone.

http://www.livemocha.com

[Frank Cannon]

3. Rosetta Stone is, in my opinion, overrated and very expensive.

Although cost-wise, it probably compares favorably with taking two junior college courses in French and German. But nothing beats speaking a language with fluent speakers on a regular (i.e., daily) basis. That's pretty much the gold standard for learning a language as quickly as possible, and that's something that a college can probably set you up with.

Gute Nacht and bonne chance.

[dimbear]

4. You could probably arrive at reading and understanding in that time.

Writing probably not. What are you aiming at?

[RedCloud]

5. Doable if you are about 4 living on their borders.

Some kids living right near Mexico have learned in as little as 1 month! Adults usually take 2.3 plus years depending on the language. They just don't stay focused and waste time translating. Language should be bottom up, not top down.

I do NOT recommend you throw your money at RS which does not provide before and after.

Find foreign radio stations on the Internet, especially with a wide variety of programs then listen, DO NOT WATCH, in the dark. Train your ears to the yargle bargle of each language. Once you can mimic those sounds without knowing what you are saying, you are ready to learn what it is you are saying.

[geardaddy]

6. I sold it for a while, but I was not convinced of its effectiveness

Sure, I learned a bunch of words and simple phrases, but it fill the need for correction and response from a live teacher/tutor.

[Blue_Tires]

7. French AND German?

You might be better off trying to get really good at one and get a basic understanding of the other...

[cyglet]

9. Look locally

for German and French Institutes (locally here we have the Germanic-American Institute and Alliance Francaise). They usually have classes for adults at night. It's about 400 a unit for 18 classes (which doesn't break down to that much).

[Patiod]

10. One of my friends started Hebrew on it

He never went to Hebrew school as a kid, and wanted to catch up with people who had before he actually took classes (and then took a trip to Israel).

The teacher sneered at Rosetta Stone, but he was really glad he used it to get a foundation before braving classes. My friend suggests both - starting with Rosetta Stone, and then adding a conversational class to get feedback.