Has anyone here used 'RosettaStone' language software?

[_testify_]

I want to learn Chinese but I'm wary of online courses and educational software. I have heard this software mentioned before but I am curious to see if anyone here has used it.

[spinbaby]

1. I have for Japanese

It's mildly amusing but also repetitive and I bored quickly. I think the basic introductory package is cheap enough to make it worthwhile, though. Try it and then get the full set if it floats your boat. IMHO, nothing beats a real live teacher.

[_testify_]

2. their website wants nearly $200 for the first lesson

I think I will see if the local community college offers language courses for audit...

[spinbaby]

3. They used to have an introductory version

I got Rosetta Stone Japanese Explorer for under $20 on Amazon. But I notice they don't have that introductory version anymore. For $20 it's worth trying out to see if you like it. At $200, I'd skip it. Of the various language lessons I've tried, a series of CDs called "Learn in your Car" have been the most useful. Give them a try.

[_testify_]

4. Thanks for the advice! n/t

[Left_Winger]

5. Nothing beats a real teacher... so true

About fifteen years ago I needed to learn Polish. I found a series of books Teach Yourself Polish (or German, Spanish, etc.) and they worked quite well in learning how to read the language. Learning how to speak the language was a entirely different matter. I was lucky to find a Polish family who let me hang out with them. Especially helpful was time spent in the kitchen with the mother of the family as she prepared the meals and cared for the children. That is where I actually learned how to speak the language before departing for Warsaw.

These books are less expensive than software; and if they do not work, then you have not wasted that much money. You might even be able to find them at your local library.

[_testify_]

6. Polish is a beautiful language (to my ears anyway)

I wish we were given other choices in HS besides french, spanish and italian...

[Left_Winger]

7. Bardzo dziekuje

In my school we offer the traditional spate of languages: Spanish, French and German; and I'm the German teacher.

Although I do speak a variety of languages to my students to expose them to as much as possible.

Czesc pana.

On edit: my Polish diacritical marks are not appearing on the post.
:argh: