Language Software

[spyder003]

Does anyone have recommendations for any home use language software / programs? I've seen and heard about Rosetta Stone, and hear it's good. I'm specifically looking to learn German.

I'll be taking a beginner's German course in the next 2-3 months, but for now I'm just looking for something to get me started.

I've been in Germany for a week now and will be here for the next 3-5 years. I'm sure getting out and mingling with the locals will be the best way to learn, but that's easier said that done. For the first time, I am the ignorant foreigner that can't speak language X and let me tell you... it's not a good feeling.

I went to Luxembourg (French speaking) the other night to catch a flick and it sucks when you can't understand someone and can only give back a blank stare and shrug.

Thanks for any recommendations.

~J

[shadowpr]

I know this is an old thread, but was just wondering if you ever did get that Rosetta Stone, and if so, how did you like it?

I'm thinking of trying to teach myself a new language.

[mattaggie]

Ive used Rosetta stone on a few different languages. You will not learn a langauage using it, nothing like the commercial claims. With that said, i still recommend it. It is an innovative way to learn, but I would use it in conjunction with a textbook.

[EzyStvy]

Learning a new language takes some serious dedication – time and effort. Couple hours a day – every day for a few YEARS.

The Rosetta Stone commercials give the impression all you have to do is pop in the cd and boom – you’re done;)

[David M]

I wish Rosetta Stone had Romanian. Oh well. Anyways, I was playing around with someone elses Rosetta Stone in Italian for about an hour. I found myself learning Italian words that I still remember today....just for one hour of messing around with the software.

[Khalil]

Software works OK but the best way to learn a language is to be around people who speak it full time. I am trilingual but I have also picked up other languages rather easily when I was in the countries I was visiting, over time you feel like you forgot the language.
What is funny is that as soon as you are back in that country again all of a sudden all the words and phrases you learned come back real fast.
Interaction is the fastest way to learn a language. Also depending on what your mother tongue is, it will effect how fast and well you can learn other languages.

[shadowpr]

I speak spanish already, but was thinking of trying to learn japanese. I don't know anyone that speaks that, but I do like to watch anime, and they are mostly in japanese I believe, so I think that would help a bit. (And the reason I want to learn it).

[Khalil]

A friend of mine loves Bollywood movies (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDKcevMFUCo) LOL he ended up learning hindi just from watching the movies and singing along.

[shadowpr]

Nice.