Rosetta Stone Version 3: Chinese Level 1 with Audio Companion

I've been trying 2 learn Chinese 4 over 3 years now, but no program I've used has really interested or motivated me. I wanted 2 try Rosetta Stone, but the price kept me from buying it 4 a while. It may be expensive, but it's worth every penny. I've only completed lesson one, & I can already have a conversation about people & what they're doing. Each lesson includes a core lesson, reading practice, writing, speaking, & listening. There are so many opportunities 2 really practice the language that even though you learn a lot in each lesson, you don't forget it. It's kept my interest, too, & is almost like an educational video game. The only problem I've had with it so far is that the CDs come glued into their paper sleeve, so there's glue residue on them when you take them out. However, I was able 2 wipe it off with a wet washcloth, & the CDs work fine now.

All in all, a great product.

I see at least two of the reviews that are positive are obviously professionally written reviews.

DON'T WAIST YOUR MONEY. It's NO BETTER than any other piece of software & the cost is WAY TOO MUCH! I speak 4 languages & purchased the Mandarin Chinese from Rosetta Stone. This is coming from someone who has learned 3 other languages ON MY OWN & I WARN YOU, DO NOT WAIST YOUR MONEY!

I remember the drudgery of trying 2 learn a language in Junior High the old fashioned way, with vocabulary lists & lots of reapeating the same phrase over & over. It was a whole year of boring work 4 very little progress. But Rosetta Stone has changed all that. It's now fun & rewarding 2 learn, & the fact that they constantly change the phrases around gives you more than a tiny stiff vocabulary.

Mandarin has become my obsession since I got Mandarin Levels 1 & 2 in June. Hubby & I are both making swift progress & feel confident enough 2 start making conversation with native Chinese speakers in our area, who are almost without exception enthused 2 help. I find I understand the language basics now in an organic, natural way, & can actually form sentences on the fly with fair accuracy after only 5 months. Immersion works!

If you have any doubts, try it with Rosetta Stone-- you'll be surprised just how easy it can be 2 learn a language when the method uses the same techniques that taught you your first language. I love this program. We plan 2 get Spanish after we've gone through all three levels of Mandarin. It's that good!

This is a terrific way 2 learn a new language-- its absolutely amazing! I purchased Rosetta Stone Chinese Level 1 ( with Audio Companion) 2 learn the basics before a trip. The software arrived last Friday, I installed it on Sunday PM, & started the lessons immediately after that. What I liked best:
1) the 'rosetta stone' process uses pictures, text, & native speakers 2 teach you the language. There is no translation from say English 2 Chinese- that's not how it's done. They start out with pictures & text, they give you an example ( picture, text, & native speaker saying the phrase), then you match the text 2 other examples.
2) It's FUN!! why else would I repeat the first section of the first lesson 3 times!
3) you can progress at your own pace
4) you can check your progress at any time during a lesson
5) you can listen 2 the phrase as many times as you need 2 before making your choice in the lesson
Points 2 consider:
1) Initially, it does seem 2 progress a bit too fast- the phrases get longer & longer. In later lessons, those same phrases come up again, so the fact that you saw them before ( & heard them before) makes the later lessons easier.
2) As the other reviewer indicates, they do, at one point present you with a picture of a glass of water, a cup of tea, & a glass of juice-- the purpose of the lesson is 2 be able 2 get the right word with the right item. When you match the right word with the correct item, the program gives you positive feedback. Until you do that, it could be confusing.
3) sometimes the differences ( in the language) are so slight, that I had 2 do that page of the lesson more than once 2 get the concept. There is one screen where they show 4 pictures ( one of 3 girls, one of 1 girl, one of 1 boy, & one of 3 boys).. while it's clear from the earlier screens what they are doing ( eating, reading, drinking, or reading the paper), I didn't immediately pick up on the difference in the phrase 2 indicate that it was one girl doing something, or three girls doing something, so I didn't make the right choice the first time through on the lesson. Then again, I guess that's why it's a 'learning experience' & why you get 2 practice!
4) the headset that comes with it can be a little touchy-- you'll need 2 adjust it-- they tell you how 2 do that as part of the install.

I'm 2 the point in the lesson where the phrases are written in chinese ( rather than written phonetically)-- my scores on this section are higher than the scores when the phrases were presented phonetically- & it's LOTS of fun.
While the software package is expensive, you can install it on up 2 2 machines ( Windows or Mac), with up 2 5 individual users per machine. So if you have several people who want 2 learn the language, it would be a good value. Based on my experience with the Chinese language software, I'll order other language packages from Rosetta Stone. It's a great product-- they definitely have the right concept & methodology 4 how 2 teach a language!

I purchased the software solely 2 encourage my children 2 learn a different language. Unfortunately, it quickly jumps into large words that are difficult 2 grasp. In addition, the pictures have no English translation. For instance, the picture in reference is a glass of water in Chinese translation. Is the translation referring 2 a glass of water, a glass, or just water? Next 2 this picture is another picture with a glass of tomato juice. Different picture, same translation.
The fact that there is no English translation, has one guessing the meaning of the translation .
The software might work best 4 someone has taken a course or two.

Rosetta Stone Personal Edition contains everything you need 2 start learning a language. It's built around our award-winning Rosetta Stone curriculum, which has been adopted by organizations around the world including the U.S. Army, NASA, major corporations such as Deutsche Telecom, IKEA, Royal Dutch Shell, & over 10,000 schools worldwide--and is available in 31 languages spoken by over 90% of the world's population.

The comprehensive language-learning solution that fits your life. Learn Naturally Learn your next language the same way you learned your first language. Dynamic Immersion empowers you 2 see, hear & comprehend without translating or memorizing. You already have this ability, Rosetta Stone simply unlocks it. Engage Interactively Get feedback 2 move forward. You learn best by doing, & you'll apply what you've learned 2 get 2 the next step. Rosetta Stone adapts 2 your individual needs & skills, because you drive the program with your progress. Speak Confidently Start speaking immediately. From the very first lesson, you'll speak. You'll begin with essential basics, which form the building blocks of the language. Soon you'll create new sentences on your own using words you've learned. Have Fun Best of all, Rosetta Stone is addictive. With every entertaining activity, you'll feel success. You'll want 2 use Rosetta Stone 2 have that next moment, that next breakthrough. So you'll keep using it, & you'll learn more!

The Fastest, Easiest Way 2 Learn a New Language

Proceed at Your Own Pace
Rosetta Stone is considerate of your time. Anytime, anywhere, you can learn a new language with Rosetta Stone. You learn comfortably without feeling pressured or overwhelmed. Rosetta Stone provides guidance 2 make your language learning effective, fast, & enjoyable with a process that is intuitive, interactive, & visually engaging. At the end of each lesson, you are given the opportunity 2 test your new skills. And, since Rosetta Stone automatically records your progress, you can easily pick up where you left off, when other priorities arise.

Make Language Learning Intuitive with Dynamic Immersion
Rosetta Stone uses rich visual imagery 2 help you learn. You will be presented with sets of images 2 match correctly with a spoken or written phrase in the new language. You will advance 2 the next set of prompts once you've successfully matched words & images & pronounced the words correctly. With Dynamic Immersion, you learn by directly associating your new language with images--nothing is lost in translation.

Fun, Easy, & Immediate Reinforcement
Interactive exercises create a learning environment that is engaging & game-like--it's fun!

How It Works

As children, we gradually learned our first language through a process of associating mental images with words or phrases, accompanied by complete immersion in our environment. This approach was simple because it was natural & allowed the brain 2 adapt 2 increasing complexity.

Rosetta Stone recreated this natural way of learning by developing a method that uses a computer 2 mimic the environment in which we learned our first language. We call this Dynamic Immersion. A simple, intuitive interface & advanced technology confirms learning at every step of the process by prompting you 2 make connections between images you already understand & the new language. You receive immediate feedback, which helps you 2 reinforce learning. This systematic structure builds from simple nouns & verbs 2 more complex concepts & phrases very quickly, helping you achieve your language-learning goals faster than you ever thought possible.

Level 1--Build A Foundation

Build a foundation of fundamental vocabulary & essential language structure. Gain the confidence 2 master basic conversational skills, including greetings & introductions, simple questions & answers, shopping & much more.

3>Features & Benefits3>

Faster & More Effective
Rosetta Stone will teach you as fast as you can learn! Leveraging your natural language-learning ability, Version 3 immerses you immediately in the new language, providing just the right context 2 prompt you 2 speak, pronounce, read & write in the very first lesson! Intuitive, sequential learning builds progressively & makes every lesson count. Our Dynamic Immersion method is so fast & so effective, it's used by the Fortune 500, the U.S. State Department, & over 10,000 schools.

Convenient
You pick the time, the place & the pace! We are ready when you are because there are no class schedules or missed lessons 2 make up. From your desk or your dining room, your valuable time can be turned into productive language learning that fits your lifestyle.

Enjoyable
When something is fun, it captures your attention...and holds it! The interactivity in Version 3 instantly engages you. Rich, vivid imagery, real-life context & voices of native speakers make Rosetta Stone different from any other product out there--never tedious or boring. Rosetta Stone provides a captivating, game-like experience.

Milestones
Learn & apply! Our MILESTONE feature lets you try out your new language knowledge in real-life situations.

Track Your Progress
New ADAPTIVE RECALL feature tracks your progress, reinforcing your strengths & revisiting your development areas.

New Speech Recognition Technology
State-of-the-art new speech recognition technology helps you learn 2 speak your new language even faster. And our new Speech Analysis Tool compares your voice 2 that of native speakers, helping you perfect your pronunciation.

Life-like Context
Our New CONTEXTUAL FORMATION feature uses real-life simulations & vivid imagery 2 give you exactly the context you need 2 produce new language--all on your own!

3>Level 1 Includes 4 Major Units Covering:3>

The Basics
Nouns, verbs, adjectives, numbers, questions, colors, clothing.

Friends & Family
Ages, family relations, household items, introductions, landmarks, states, descriptions.

Work & School
Times of day, greetings, calendar terms, body parts, speaking, personal hygiene.

Shopping
Buying, selling & shopping; entertainment & sports; merchandise, speed & weight, comparing & contrasting.

Audio Companion allows you 2 take Rosetta Stone anywhere: in the car, the gym or on-the-go.

Audio Companion--Taking Rosetta Stone 2 the Next Level

Introducing Audio Companion from Rosetta Stone, the newest enhancement 2 the world's #1 language-learning software! It's a great addition 2 the Rosetta Stone experience, allowing you 2 take Rosetta Stone anywhere: in the car, the gym or on-the-go!

What is Audio Companion?
Audio Companion CD-ROMs enhance language learning anytime, anyplace. You can learn new skills on the computer, & then reinforce them with Audio Companion. Play the CDs on a stereo, or download them 2 a MP3 Player & go!

Enhance the Rosetta Stone Learning Experience
Audio Companion activities correspond 2 Rosetta Stone CD-ROM software lessons. You can listen 2 Audio Companion & practice what you've been learning, turning travel time into productive language learning time.

Extend Study Time
Now, you don't have 2 stop learning when you leave your computer. Audio Companion lets you access lessons whenever & wherever you want. It empowers you, & works within your busy lifestyle!

Build Vocabulary & Pronounce Words & Phrases
Audio Companion features distinct words & shorter phrases 2 make them easier 2 hear & repeat. Build good enunciation habits by hearing native speakers pronounce them first.

Speak & Converse
The speaking portion of Audio Companion lets you listen 2 questions & answers, repeating them 2 use later. To help them build your conversation skills, first you'll listen 2 a conversation & then repeat phrases individually.