Seven reasons why I would not use Rosetta Stone.

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Let me begin my saying that I have never used Rosetta Stone. My son, Mark, played professional hockey in Japan for a few years. His team gave him Rosetta Stone to learn Japanese. He tried it and found that it was boring and did not get him very far.

I decided to do some research on the net. Most reviews that I found seemed to have been done by people connected with Rosetta Stone. I am not surprised. Rosetta Stone are excellent marketers for which I salute them. They are not only promoting their product, they are promoting an awareness that people can learn languages on their own.

The best summary of the Rosetta Stone method I found was the following.

The most important component of the Rosetta Stone software-based method is what I call "a four squares screen". The user is presented with a page that shows four pictures of various objects or entities. A prerecorded phrase or word is played back and the user must click on the square that contains a visual answer to the question or best illustrates the concept. If the user answers correctly a little "ding" is heard, a check-mark appears on the screen and the program advances. That's all folks!

So, why does the Rosetta Stone method work? At the very center of the Rosetta Stone approach is the idea of constant encouragement. Every step of the way the user receives positive feedback from the program. Rosetta Stone takes you through a rapid succession of multiple choice questions. Given that there are only four options per question it is not difficult to answer every question even if you don't get it right away. This process turns into a series of gratifying experiences.

This was contrasted with the usual language learning experience where the reviewer felt that we do not know how we are doing.

As a result we have uncertainty, perception of poor performance and general lack of success. A user is much more likely to quit such a course, and it should be known that not quitting is probably the single most important requirement when learning a foreign language

My reaction to the reviews that I read was that I do not think I would want to use Rosetta Stone. Here are seven reasons.

1)  I do not like answering multiple choice questions at the computer. It is not communicating. I might do it once or twice but would not continue. I would not do it daily. I need to connect with a language I am learning daily, in order to learn.

2) Most of my learning activity takes place during dead time. I mostly listen while running, driving, doing the dishes, waiting line etc.. I also read while waiting or as a relaxing activity.  If I had to sit at the computer in order to learn I would not do a lot of studying. I just do not have the dedicated time.

3) I do not believe that I can permanently learn words, whether using pictures or other techniques. I know I am going to forget them. In a way I am not interested in learning the word for "red" or "house". I know that I have to be exposed to so much language content, in audio and text, that gradually it all starts to have meaning. I am not conscious of learning and forgetting specific words, but I know I am doing it. I know I have learned words because I can understand more and more. I know I am forgetting because I am constantly unable to remember the most elementary words.

4) I find it difficult to learn words and phrases that are divorced from a larger story or context. Isolated words and phrases do not connect with my brain. I remember words and expressions as part of larger stories that I remember. I often remember when and where I was listening to many of these stories.

5) When I start learning a language, the gratification that I experience comes from the fact that  I start to be able to tell when words begin and end, and then soon after start to make sense of short episodes that used to be just noise for me. That is all the feedback that I need. I do not find the uncertainty a problem. It is the feeling of the "fog lifting", the uncertainty turning into more and more clarity, that is so satisfying in the study of another language.

6) I learn languages with the goal of being able to communicate, to understand what is said, and to be able to express myself. That is a long road. I have the impression that Rosettta Stone only takes you a very short way. I do not see it as a useful or necessary step.

7) I feel that a lot of listening to interesting content is a better start than doing multiple choice questions. I am in a hurry to engage with the language, real language situations, and to let my brain get used to it.

What has been the experience of others? I know that I am not impartial, but I have tried to be honest. I do recommend the "Teach Yourself" series and the "Colloquial" series. I would not recommend Rosetta Stone.

Comments

[chris sarda]

Rosetta Stone is cute... I think the biggest deal is that you can't very far in it and it's price. People will give whole other lists about it but that's what it comes down to. It's cute to practice some basic phrases... but is it worth 250 dollars? NO... Will you be able to even read a newspaper after you've finished 2 levels... NO...

[Glen]

You hit the nail on the head: Rosetta Stone is boring as hell. Logging on and seeing the photo of the cat with the multiple choices was like a nightmare. To really learn a foreign language you have to start with content that interests you. I think that's why so many people drop out of beginning level foreign language courses. The initial content is usually so dry.

[reineke]

“Let me begin my saying that I have never used Rosetta Stone.”

A mistake.

You’ll always hear in response that you shouldn’t criticize something that you haven’t even tried :) I am now trying to go through as many German courses as I possibly can. I acquired German mostly accidentally through TV and other content and without any sort of formal or organized study. I intend to learn how to communicate. Let's see if these guys can help.

Rosetta I will skip on. I spend a lot of my time at the computer but I dislike the idea of computer-only courses. I also have a large vocabulary and at $450 I believe I'm better served with a $20 visual dictionary. Their boxes are so yellow though that I am often tempted to stop by and simply admire them. They actually look very appetizing!

“a little "ding" is heard”

What, no cookie? This is so anti-Pavlovian!

"At the very center of the Rosetta Stone approach is the idea of constant encouragement".

And not even a lemon bar!

“Rosetta Stone takes you through a rapid succession of multiple choice questions... This process turns into a series of gratifying experiences.”

Do we finally get a cookie? A bone? Is that all? For under $100 you can get a visual dictionary, a grammar drill and a lot of other material. Their complete course is a whopping $450.

I don’t mind studying words. I don't study words very often but if I do I need to own them in book form, another portable format or simply scribbled down somewhere in my own handwriting.

Btw, a Rosetta spokesman would say that you didn’t provide a fair review of their product.

Here it is, on Amazon, also notice the first review.

http://www.amazon.com/Rosetta-Stone-Version-Spanish-Companion/dp/B001AFFZM2/ref=dp_cp_ob_sw_title_0

[Keith]

I just want to say, the first review you will see in the link Reineke provided is written by someone who doesn't understand how languages are learned. But then again, 99 percent of people do not understand how languages are learnt.

[Balint]

I must agree with Steve - I'm up to RS Spanish Level III, but it is boring as hell. But I'm going to finish it once I've started.

I'm using other language learning methods which I find more useful and more effective. RS has a very good marketing, and is a sorry-ass product. That 450 dollars can be spent much better!

[Valina Eckley]

I tried the free sample they had several years ago. It was OK I guess, and I picked up a few little things. I guess If I had to choose between RS and a standard textbook, I would choose RS.

I would never spend that kind of money, but I am sure they would make a killing in Japan (where some people pay nearly $90-$100 an hour to struggle with a conversation with a native speaker at a school)

[Mark]

I tried Rosetta Stone for Japanese a few years ago now and wasn't too impressed either. Can't say I'll be using it again in future.

Steve, you mention that you're a fan of the "Teach Yourself" series, of which I have a couple myself. Recently though as a means of starting out in Russian I picked up the "BBC Talk Russian" book and double-CD set and I feel that it's a really great introduction to the language. I should point out that it is only designed to give the basics of a language and is not by any means a full course. It was well-reviewed on Amazon (UK) but might not be so easily available in the US. Have you had any experience with this series?

I will also say that I joined up to LingQ but found that, as a total complete beginner, it wasn't that useful for me starting out. However once I've completed this BBC book I'm going to take another look, as it looks a great way to pick up vocabulary.

[billthekid]

never tried RS but looks like money wasted IMHO, can work for some people who prefer the multimedia way of learning languages. But im much more of a firm believer the best way to learn a language is go to the country immerse yourself in the culture and practice talking on a daily basis. If you cant go to the country, the next best thing is listening to podcasts.

cheers bill@

[Neil]

I've never used Rosetta Stone; but I have used interactive software for Cantonese. Early on I bought the Euro Talk discs and later I bought the Arizona State University's Critical Language series.

Euro Talk was amusing but next to useless for learning the language. The Arizona materials I've found useful, mainly because they have quite good video/audio dialogues. The multi choice, fill in the blanks and other interactive stuff I don't find that helpful at all and never use. You can't download the audio off the discs, so you have to sit in front of the computer to listen, which I find annoying and therefore a limiting factor in the usefulness of such language software.

After having got past the beginner phase, I find listening to mp3s of monologues, dialogues, radio podcasts etc most effective for me.

[dillemme]

I don't want to use Rosetta Stone. It is like a kind of exam. Yes, you are rignt, Mr. Kauffemann. When reading first reason, I laughed a lot.

[Si]

I agree that Rosetta Stone is boring. Having said that I can still remember much of the vocabulary it remorselessly drilled into my head. However I soon gave up because it became like a chore and I had to force myself to do it.

I think Steve's methods for learning a language are entirely correct and I find them very useful for language learning. However I cannot help feeling that because it is against the grain of school language learning people may find it difficult to make that leap of faith that it will work and pay off. I think LingQ is the sort of thing that a lot of people will unfortunately come to belatedly once they realise the problem isn't the learning the language but the language learning methods. That's if they manage to persist.

I remember Steve wrote about SRS systems a while back and said he would have a look. I was wondering whether he had had any further thoughts? Whilst I think Rosetta Stone is godawful, I have found Anki really useful.

[Tyler]

I've used Rosetta Stone and worked up to Unit 3 of the Latin course, so I do have some experience with it. I think the biggest asset of the program is the variability of it. I don't have to stick the 4 pictures and select the right one mode. I can alter it. I can switch to typing out words and learn correct spelling for words, or switch to an auditory-only mode, or text-only, too. I can also use the vocalization mode which I have not yet tried due to an uncooperative microphone.

I have found that the vocabulary I have learned so far is there to stay. Sheer repetition is a sure way to build a good vocabulary. Nonetheless, I have not managed to quite surpass the present point. I switched to a number of different methods, including a textbook written by a modern languages professor named Adler in combination with an online course called Latinum, as well as daily YouTube viewing of people speaking in Latin, and in general a simple immersion in the language, gathering it everywhere I can.

I do wish the pictures portrayed something related to the language I was learning, as they appear to be designed to fit every language they sell. I also wish they did more to vary the activities to increase attention span, though the other options are there for the user. All in all, I think it's a good program but I do have my doubts as to whether I can have a complete comprehension, or even a basic one, of the Latin language.

[Molendinarius]

Hello Si,
So, I see you've discovered Latinum. http://latinum.mypodcast.com Latinum works, simply because it can be used in 'dead time'. The Adler book falls down, in not having a lot of narrative - it is, after all, a book for conversation - but the podcast makes up with this with a plethora of other resources - the Comenius material, and the amusing dialogues of Corderius.
So far, Latinum offers over 1000 episodes - and all available for free. The textbook is also free - unless you want to print it up, but that still comes out cheaply.
What latinum also offers, is a community, where you can use your Latin, once you have it - the growing band of Latin scholars on schola, http://schola.ning.com who chat daily on the chatroom, or write letters to each other. Many of these people, after only two years of study using modern language methods, are able to engage in real time chat in Latin - so, the system works----obviously, full fluency will take a few more years, that is the case with any language.

The great advantage of Latinum, is that it is designed specifically with the ipod in mind, the goal is to make language study portable....so that learning can take place in what would otherwise be wasted learning time - walking to work, car trips, subway journeys, walks in the park....

Keep up the work. If you do, you'll soon be there, and will be able to read fluently.

[Angela Weston]

This is my first time on your blog, hi.You think Rosetta Stones marketing is good, well I ´ve been in the teaching business /Europe) for 25 years and I have never heard of Rosette Stone, but as you say it sounds awful.Definitely not the way to learn a language.
You sound like the perfect husband,you do the dishes (whilst listening to a foreign language)Do you iron too?
A very good "dead" time to language learn. If you had liked the Brazilian drink you had with your friends the other evening that in itself would have "anchored" the name of the drink.You say you like reading and listening so I am asking you to look at my blog and please give me a comment.http://thinair1.blogspot.com/
Thank you, sorry about RS.

[Roberto]

I wish i had know you before. I could have learned much more english. You are perfect, clever and clear! I love you!

[Adam]

RS is a lot more indepth than that. Here is my 2p's worth.

The activites are more than just matching a picture with a phrase. One activity, for example, is it reads three sentences and shows you the related image. It then presents you with a fourth image and you have to piece together the correct sentence using the 3 clues, then speak the sentence into the computer.

New words are learnt by solving puzzles.

The activities themselves are very similar, but because you are learning new words all the time its always interesting.

I understand that I will not become fluent using a single system, I know that RS will get me to "medium" stage.

[Sean Cannon]

I'm using RS to learn both Japanese and to refresh my German (just in case I get time-warped back to 1942, soI can be useful, I guess), and I'm finding it actually very good. I realise I won't be able to write a best-selling novel from what I'm doing, but it's inspiring me in other ways. For instance, I do tend to learn best from writing things down. In German, that's easy. In Japanese, well... lets just say I'm learning a lot more than I expected from separate research, piecing things together in Hiragana and Katakana, etc.

The feeling of realising I'm actually *reading* Hiragana on screen is worth every penny, really, to me. Granted much of that is from the studying I'm doing *outside* RS, but it's RS that's inspiring me to do that study.

Sure, you forget things. But then, when re-exposed to it, you remember them again and the neural pathways are reinforced. It does work, and then there's the interesting other factor: RS doesn't tell you *why* on stuff. While I am interested in linguistics and etymology, having sentence structure rules and tables of conjugations and so on dropped in my lap isn't very interesting.

On the other hand, through practice and a sort of detective work and excercising my own cleverness (which is always satisfying by itself) working out that, for instance, Japanese sentence structure works like "SUBJECT wa OBJECT o VERB" in general is far more fun when you figure it out, instead of just being told to memorise it. Also, you remember it longer and better because you DID work it out. The immersion factor -- the way aside from the control menus *everything* happens in the language, is very effective.

My one complaint is the voice recognition. It's too picky and sort of slow on the uptake. I've foind that waiting an extra heartbeat before repeating something into the mic works a lot better, but even then sometimes the recognition is a bit nar-nar, and I'll admit it's never pleasant to find yourself cussing out your own Macintosh because you *KNOW* you said the word exactly right and you can't hear *any* difference, especially when it suddenly says you got it right and you know that every sound you made the "right" time was *identical* to the other times. (At one point it would only acknowledge that I pronounced "nein" correctly when I said it in a mocking high pitched voice since it was a female speaker I was imitating, and I was surprised that that worked. It's even more annoying when it's a word like "nein" which is pronounced identically to "nine" in English and it's not like I don't know how to count or, worse, "handy" (German for mobile phone) which is in fact an English loanword (if a bit warped in meaning from its etymological source).

So in my opinion, RS is great and works wonderfully, except the stressful parts where you're wishing it taught you curse words so that you could shout at the voice recognition parts in the language they are speaking.

[David Jason Williams]

So far I am really enjoying Rosetta Stone Korean. I have to admit it lacks in some areas. For example I am in Korean One Unit Four. (very basic point in the learning process) and although I feel confident in what I have learned thus far I do still feel like some of the phrases they present I know a few words enough to make a good judgement call answer but still don't know how to "Translate" what was said in a grammatical english sentence. To be quite frank I am not sure whether my english is all that good anyway. So basically using Rosetta stone with a grammar book will probably teach me more about what phrases I am learning to say and recognize as well as the rules of how to understand them translated in english and in korean. A good point is that as a native new yorker my grammar school education is but so high and I mostly know what feels right or wrong when it comes to english. Rosetta Stone can take you that far in Korean I believe so far. And I have fun using it. I am of the computer age and I am also admitting that I use google to spellcheck at times. Rosetta stone is right for me and my generation I believe.

[anglu kalbos kursai]

I like this video. I don't agree with thesis that you can not nail down new words, because in any case you will find those words later in different contents, but you're totally right about boredom. All the artificial content is boring because you can't use those artificial phrases in real world.