Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I have been looking at self study language courses and came across RS. I would urge you to check out its website, because there you can get free sample lessons. There are also different options for the length of courses, and whether you want it online or CD rom.
I find this program quite sneaky and clever - it'll get you to recognise and build upon what you know through recognition and interactive software, so that you will learn just as kids do, figuring out the rules by yourself. I'm personally interested in how my mind puts it all together. Here are some thoughts (and gripes) I have about the RS course:
1. They seem to have one module and translate it into many different languages, forgetting that kangaroos are probably more useful in some countries and non-existent in others.
2. You would probably learn faster if you complemented with another more grammer based course. I am a bit dubious about completely buying the 'learning just like a child learns language' theory. As adults we have the benefit of transfering ideas of abstract rules to help us with our 2nd (or 3rd, etc) language.
3. It isn't totally clear from the picture sometimes what the sentance is saying, but I could 'get the right answer' through elimination even if I didn't totally get what was being said. I solved this by downloading the manual for the "English" RS course, which told me exactly what the equivalent sentance was supposed to be.
4. There is more emphasis on recognition than production, which can be a useful first step. However, this is not the quickest way to learn. I found Pimsleur tapes more useful for breaking down the sounds of the words and really making me think of the sentances and words in context. Here you just have a bunch of pictures. However, compared to the Pimsleur for the same amount of money (that is, if you choose the right type of RS course) you get larger range of volcab. In a nutshell: Pimsleur will teach you to speak. RS will teach you to recognise.
5. It may get tedious after a while because it is structured in the same way. But if you are really interested in learning the language it's in small digestable modules. My strategy is: in one day I will preview lesson 3, do the listen/read test from lesson 2, and the listening test from lesson 1. The next day I will preview lesson 4, listen/read 3, and listen for 2.
6. It is no subsititue for speaking with a native speaker and going there, because the phrases in the modules are still really limited.
7. The writing exercise I find a bit naff and is about sorting out a sentance anagram. Theoretically it has a speech recognition so that you can test your accent, but like the writing because it has limited computer intelligence it can't correct you in a useful manner.
Having said that, I think it is a really decent component for a cram course - which is what I need before I go to Poland - and I think it really helps my volcab. It does mean sitting in front of a computer for many hours. Good luck.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Rosetta Stone: Polish Explorer
Now you can learn a new language with the award-winning method used by the U.S. State Department to train diplomats. Proven effective by NASA astronauts, Peace Corps volunteers, and millions of students worldwide, the Rosetta Stone Language Library teaches new languages faster and easier than ever before.
We all learn our childhood language by associating new words and phrases with the world around us. The Rosetta Stone method replicates this process by presenting vivid, real-life images to convey the meaning of each new phrase. Instead of translating, memorizing, and studying rules of grammar, you actually learn to think in the new language. Vocabulary and grammar are integrated systematically, leading to everyday proficiency. It's the natural way to learn.
The Rosetta Stone Explorer contains 22 lessons for beginning learners with nearly 900 real-life images and phrases spoken by native speakers. It develops all key language skills--listening comprehension, reading, speaking, and writing--while its systematic structure teaches vocabulary and grammar naturally, without lists and drills. Includes previews, exercises, and tests for every lesson, with automated tutorials throughout the program. (Ages 6 and older)
Click here for more information about Rosetta Stone: Polish Explorer
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