About a month and a half ago I got my copy of Rosetta Stone Spanish levels 1-5. I have been diligently using it since then, and I feel that I’ve gotten a good enough feel for the program to give a decent review and explain how the software does it’s job. In short, I absolutely love it.
Before I go any further I should not that if you have a very rules based, linear, academic learning style, this will probably not work as well for you as it did for me. If, however, you have little patience for lists of conjugations, and prefer to come to an understanding yourself rather than memorize the right answers, this is probably great for you. Having a good visual and/or auditory memory will help (generally this kind of memorization ability will make it infinitely easier to learn a language). In case you’re not familiar with learning styles, having a visual memory means you can memorize things be seeing them, for instance reading the word on a page, or can easily recall a diagram or image. If you have an auditory memory you easily recall things you hear. This can make it easier to remember words in another language, especially since the pronunciation won’t be what you’re used to. Personal learning style differences are the main reason the Rosetta Stone method does not work for everyone.
For me, the Rosetta Stone method has been massively effective. I started with a basic knowledge of Spanish pronunciation and a selection of words and phrases I had picked up from my previous efforts. I did not have any understanding of the structure or grammar of the language, which will become important in a moment. The program, at first glance, is focused almost entirely on understanding vocabulary. It is, however, an immersion method and gives no English translations. So, how does one pick up the words? Words are taught through association with images. For instance, if I learn that “una mujer” means woman and “un hombre” means man, and then in the next screen it shows me “una mujer come pan” (a woman eats bread) and “un hombre come peces” (a man eats fish), accompanied by images depicting the meaning. From the picture, it’s easy to understand that the words that are different mean “bread” and “fish”, and the other unknown word must be some form of “to eat”.
This is great, but what about all the other important skills? Writing, speaking, grammar, and so on? Once you have a basic vocabulary, the program begins mixing it up. The program provides various phrases which make you aware of different conjugations of various words. For instance, using the same example, while “una mujer” is accompanied by “come”, “Ellos” (they) must be followed by “comen” in order to express the same idea. It also introduces you to the masculine and feminine forms, and how you match up the forms to create a grammatically correct sentence (ie. “una bicicleta” [a bicycle] is “roja” [red] and “un abrigo” [a coat] is “rojo” [also red]). Grammar lessons quiz you on how well you have understood the minute details based on whether or not you can choose the correct forms and words to complete sentences correctly. There are also pronunciation and reading lessons, in which you are forced to recognize the minute differences in the way words sound, and how the syllables are pronounced. The software also does voice recognition, and you are often asked to read words and phrases out in order to answer questions, show how well you can read in the language, or master new nuances in pronunciation. Additionally, writing lessons test you on your spelling and ability to translate words from the spoken word to the page.
At the end of each unit there is a “Milestone” test, which is a scenario that plays out with different characters. You, as your character, have to speak, answer and ask questions. It is entirely done vocally so you have to think on your feet and be able to translate all your lessons into split-second decisions about grammar, tense, and sentence structure. Surprisingly, though the scenarios are quite difficult, I have found that, by the time I’ve reached them, the program has given me the tools to do well.
The program is also accompanied by “Studio” lessons with a native speaker tutoring you and several others by guiding you to speak and discuss using the words you have used. There are also games you can play, either alone or with other learners, and stories you can read or hear that use the vocabulary you have, while also using a few new words. I found the live lessons to be extremely helpful and confidence boosting. I was also pleasantly surprised to find the tutors didn’t pander completely to the level of learning those in the session were at. Questions asked sometimes used new words, or constructions not introduced in the lessons, that were nonetheless easily understandable with the help of the tutor. I don’t play the game much, but that’s largely because I haven’t found that I need the additional practice, and don’t really have time. I like the stories because they are a good way to test your own understanding.
All in all, I have found the program engaging and incredibly effective at teaching the nuances of a new language. It is, for me, miles ahead of the other methods I have tried. I have not had any trouble picking up the nuances and grammar. My pronunciation has also improves so dramatically that I can feel a large difference in how easily I form the words every few weeks. The program works perfectly for me and I wholeheartedly recommend it, even at the steep price tag. It is well worth the money.
Copyright 2012 Emily Strempler