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Rating:  - Best learning course
I found this French course interesting and fun to use ... and not as hard as i would have thought . Having the pictures of items and then being taught the word makes it easy and i find i retain it better . Worth every penny , Steven Robertson
Rating: - Rosetta Stone rocks!
I was leery about the advertising for Rosetta Stone, which makes it sound like a painless, fast way to learn a language. I bought it for my partner, who loves the flexibility of studying whenever he wants. And his French has gotten a lot better, even after just a few lessons!
Rating: - French Newbie
I have recently decided to learn French, and at 50 years old it's harder to learn new things. But, with Rosetta Stone's easy to use program, I've found it works quickly. I especially like the sound review, it's quite helpful in learning the pronunciation of the words.
Rating: - Rosetta Stone V3: French, Level 1, 2 & 3
I had an extensive previous knowledge of French but had not used it in many years. I plan to travel to France this summer. I have found using Rosetta Stone quite enjoyable. I am about half way through level 2 and about 95% has been review. The method of instruction is excellent as it involves hearing, speaking, seeing and writing. The voice recognition software is very good. After completing level 3 I plan to go back and redo the pronunciation and speaking sections with a higher level speaking criticality. The levels range from 1 through 5 with 3 being "normal." I am currently using "3".
I will probably use Rosetta Stone to learn a language that I don't already know. I think it will be fun as well as effective.
Rating:  - Great if you learn this way
This is terrific software, and truly immerses you into the French language. It is easy to use, and the graphics well done.
The most important thing to keep in mind, though, is that this software will only work if you personally learn using an immersion system. As a neuropsychologist who specializes in learning theory, I can clearly state that the immersion method does not work with everyone. You should try the free lessons Rosetta Stone offers on their website before purchasing.
Some people learn faster, and retain their knowledge better if they use the standard rote memorization system (such as the Living Language system). Others learn better using the immersion method.
Some caveats to keep in mind after having worked through about 10 lessons (I already speak fluent French, but wanted to know why my partner was having such a hard time with this software):
- The lessons are boring -- it repeats sets of 4 words over and over. They system only works if you use all of the modules for each lesson -- read, recall, write. This is extremely tedious.The more tedious it gets, the easier it is to "cheat" i.e. just quickly look at the first photo that you know matches and click - no real learning is happening then.
- None of the language that you learn in the first level will be anything you really use in real-life in France -- sure, it is developing concepts, teaching you sounds and cadence, numbers and colors -- but there are very few people who will ever have to say "the horse jumps" or "the boy is under the airplane", or "the man fell off the horse"
-The basic lessons do not teach you any day to day conversational french, nor how to say hello, goodbye, or order anything on a menu
-Finally - there is nothing here to take with you -- everything is dependent on the software, there are no printed lessons, translations, or lists to put in your pocket and review for memorization purposes. You better buy a good French Dictionary while using this system, since you WILL need to look up some of the words -- not all of the photos are intuitive enough to tell you what they are talking about.
The lessons DO help you to "think" in limited French -- it will not help you listen and understand others without substantial additional work using other materials.
Overall, these are great very basic French lessons -- but many users will be better off with a standard text book.
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