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Rosetta Stone? Good or not?
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Posted by: eddie465

Hello all,

I am curious if anyone on this forum has used Rosetta Stone to learn Russian? If so would you consider it good, bad or so so?

Would a moderator please move this to "Russian Language, Translation, Russian Alphabet (Cyrillic), Russifying Computers, etc.", as it would be most appropriate there, but as my third post I don't think I can post there myself, YET

. Also please feel free to delete this paragraph.

Posted by: BluesTraveler

Rosetta Stone is good. However you need the self discipline to do at least 1 hour a day. At least 4 or 5 times a week. Just be aware that the program doesn't explain any of the grammar rules. So you will most likely need to get a supplemental book that explains some of the basic grammar rules, to help make sense of things.

Also in studying Russian if you have studied any other foreign languages like French, German, Spanish, etc... it will help.

My advice is to search the web and find some little programs that will help you master the alphabet first, before starting Rosetta Stone. You will move much quicker through the program if you do that.

Posted by: GoingToRussia

Hi Eddie, I moved your thread.

Definetely learn how to pronounce the letters first. When my fiancee doesn't know an English word, I look it up in my dictionary and say it in Russian, then she understands ... most of the time!

Posted by: JohnnyLaRue

Its a good program (I used it for Japanese) but as I found out from teaching in Japan and residing over there a short time the program fails to go over slang, current words, regional dialects, ...etc It seems to focus on formal instead of informal.

I would purchase kids study books while I was in Japan and asked grade schools if they had any workbooks I could purchase off them. Not sure if that helps you any though...

Posted by: Raspberry

I've been using it.....but it seems strong in building vocabulary, and not really helping much in getting conversation phrases.

Posted by: BluesTraveler

Pimseuler (sp?) is better for building conversations, but weak on building vocabulary.

Posted by: subcom117

I have the Rosetta Stone and it is helpful, but it's no silver bullet. It is good to pick up vocabulary and some phrases, but I find immersion is not the best way to pick up to grammar rules. For me, it is faster to get a book so I can read the verb conjugation rules and the case endings for nouns and adjective endings. They all change for each case and person!!??!!

Then, back in Rosetta Stone I can understand why the adjective ends sometimes in -ая and sometimes -ое.
I used Idiot's Guide to Learning Russian.

Posted by: Jerico

I recommend looking into your adult schools and community college programs.
I have been taking a class at an adult education school at night.
It cost me 20 dollars a quarter and has helped 100 percent.
We learn Russian, play games, sing Russian songs ,hehe.
When i start to sing a Russian song they are amazed i even know it.

Never would i have learned as much as I have without this class.
Not saying i am great at Russian ,LOL but I have learned to write, speak and read russian. Fairly.
My problem is i am lazy at studying. If I studied more i would be better , of course!!
Jerry

Posted by: OzGuyLooking

Rosetta Stone and Pimsleur are vocab builders for tourists, if you want to know how to ask for something they are what you should use. If you want a deep and meaningful go to a language school, or for Russian check out the Master Russian Website and Google "Golosa". Golosa has audio files you can download for free to help you learn pronunciation etc.

Posted by: eddie465

Thank you GTR for moving the thread and thanks to everyone for the advice.