anyone used rosetta stone?
 

Always seeing an Ad on tv for it, says the fbi uses it, plus other government to teach languages.

Curious if anyone here has tried it, and the results.

I was gonna say, the US Army uses it I know that for sure. There I said it!

I have a friend that swears by them, and she speaks 5 languages, so I take that as a good endorsement.

Man.. and I have trouble speaking one language. :disgust

I'd like to learn a second language, and I too saw this ad on TV. It was a very convincing ad. I don't think it'd be any easier getting a job if you knew a second language. Usually you need some kind of second skill to go with it.

i bought the one for spanish a while ago, but lost the CD's :disgust

from what i used of them tho, seemed to be pretty good. I wanted to get russian so i could pick up hot russian chicks... if i ever get to russia

I have used it and it is very, very good. Of course, nothing beats having an actual teacher, but their software is very close.

If you have a mic, you can speak and listen to your pronunciation and even for languages that use different character sets, you can practice typing/spelling with the simulated on-screen keyboard.

It is a different way of learning however: It doesn't start with the ABCs, rather it jumps you right into common objects and sentences. So you have to get into it a bit before you will know some of the most basic conversation. Not ideal, for example, if you need to learn the basics 2 weeks before a trip overseas - It's a full course and designed as such.

Gee, do I sound like an informercial for them?
:)

I heard it is the second best way to learn aside from being dumped into a foreign country that speaks the language you wish to learn.

I'm going to try them out to learn me some mexican.

I've heard it's easier to learn you up some Puerto Rican first, then move to Mexican.

:1orglaugh :1orglaugh!

You should check their online demo, it's awesome :)!

I've used it. It was easier to learn than other language learning programs I've tried and much faster.

It is a good system. Finding the time to dedicate is my hardest problem, although you can really tell that if you were able to spend a half hour or an hour a day on it, everyday, you would go a long way.

I recommend it (I tried the latin american spanish one, and the method they use actually seems to sink the language into your brain better than any other way I've seen)

I used it, and now I'm fluent in British as well as American. Now I can call my mates in England at their flats and have a good old chin wag. Next I'm gonna study Australian.:winkwink:

I have heard that you can pick up a daily translator for Mexican at Home Depot for $25. Better rates if you keep them for longer periods of time.

It sucks as the best way to BEGIN to learn a language as you go straight into vocabulary with very little grammar and zero basic conversation.

So most ppl give up as after 6 months all they know is "the boy is under the table" etc.

Pimsleur is the best IMHO.

Rosetta Stone has a free online version if you are a member of a local library in the USA.

As a way to expand your vocab, I think it's awesome. :2 cents:

Sound advice.

I tried it out and now I speak beaner!