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Rosetta Stone Review

Rating: 9.9 / 10 (Excellent)
22 Customer Reviews - see all comments
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Rosetta Stone is known to be one of the most effective Language learning courses on the market. It's used by branches of the US military, government agencies, learning institutions and top businesses around the world to help bridge language barriers.
 
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Rosetta Stone offers 30 different language courses including:

  • French
  • Italian
  • German
  • Spanish

What’s Included?

Rosetta Stone utilizes technology to complement its pattern-based learning method to enhance the learning process.

Learning is divided into 5 levels which determine the content of each package

This includes:

  • Voice Recognition Software
  • Online Coaches
  • Mobile Apps (that provide students a wider choice of media to learn from)

The complete course is available as a digital download. It comes with a headset, microphone and voice recognition software that adds that extra touch to help polish your speech.

Live Conversation sessions with native speakers help you refine your conversation skills.

The course is available online through a subscription with its TOTALe offer. It includes interactive software similar to those found in CDs. Online-only features include group/ solo games and the ability to learn with others.

It is supported in major computer operating formats (Windows, Mac) and comes with a free App (iPhone, Android) for online subscribers.

Courses

  • Courses are divided into 5 levels
  • Up to Level 3 only available for:
    • Arabic
    • Dutch
    • Filipino
    • Greek
    • Hebrew
    • Hindi
    • Japanese
    • Korean
    • Persian
    • Polish
    • Portugese
    • Swedish
    • Turkish
    • Vietnamese
  • Courses are available for Business, Personal, Public Sector, Education, Homeschooling

Format

  • Online support/ coaches
  • Software
  • Mobile App
  • Voice Recognition (Mic and headset)

How Does It Work?

Rosetta Stone’s language learning course mainly focuses on the connection between images and language.

Unlike other language learning courses, Rosetta Stone is ideal for entry-level or people who don’t have prior experience with the language. Learning is achieved through a steady stream of images, games, and flashcards.  

Rosetta Stone’s methodology allows you to discover patterns. It starts by building a simple vocabulary that progress into phrases. The course feels light and easy with learning heavily reinforced by images. But it is highly structured and is designed to teach through a pattern of learning.    

There are five levels of learning. Level 1 contains basic conversational skills such as greetings and how to go around a new city. Your communication skills steadily progress until you reach Level 5 which by then has given you enough skills to reach a native-speaker level and even live comfortably abroad. 

Costs

Some may say that Rosetta Stone is pricier compared to other products. But some packages allow the program to be installed on two computers and access to 5 users.

Rosetta Stone offers users a 30-day no-risk money back guarantee. This gives you a great overview of what the learning programs are all about and determine if this would work for you.  

  • $179 for level 1 and $299 for the complete set (level 1 to 5) 
  • TOTALe Online 36 month subscription ($499), 12 month subscription ($299), 6 month subscription ($239)

Bottom Line

Rosetta Stone is a language course that continues to deliver a simple yet effective way of teaching foreign languages for those with little or no prior experience.

It is widely used by government agencies, educational institutions and large corporations for training. The method uses great use of images and interactive learning exercises that are so effective that could even be used to teach children.

Some critics might contend that this learning approach is too rudimentary and basic that it is more attuned for teaching children. But this is exactly how learning a new language should be approached whether it is a child or an adult.

For more seasoned or those with a working knowledge of the language, Rosetta Stone does offer advanced levels to help reinforce and fine-tune their skills. 

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  • Trusted by major companies, institutions & government agencies
  • Highly flexible, pattern-based learning
  • Specialized language courses to meet individual needs
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Latest Rosetta Stone Reviews

R
REGINA W

6/25/2018
I purchased the program early on and am disappointed to find out that I can no longer use the program because the software has been updated. At least the company could offer an upgrade for a reduced price or let their customers know this is not a program that can be used indefinitely.

B
b

1/30/2018
beware of rosetta stone charging for auto renewed subscription when you haven't signed up for it. I made that mistake and was too late is seeing it on my credit card statement. I called them and they refused to refund. Not good

Sidney P

2/19/2018
This course is very expensive. You pay for the program then have to pay for a monthly fee on top of the high cost of the program. It is probably less than going to the local community college but not much and you don't have a live teacher face to face. The pricing on the "subscription" is designed to make you pay for the 36 month subscription or you have to pay more for less, clearly more into making money than teaching a language. Not impressed with the trial package. No thanks.

C
Carolyn

3/8/2017
Set up is only for those with advanced computer skills. Wouldn't accept my built in microphone. Required additional purchase of head set, and it still didn't work. 3 days and at least 8 person hours (between 2 people) and I QUIT . I was warned and didn't listen. Waste of time, effort ,and money .

H
Hannah

12/10/2017
Hate it I would not recommend it.

M
Mary F

11/7/2017
I felt something was missing when I began this program—like prior introduction to the vocabulary. Otherwise, you are just guessing at the word that goes with the picture. Fortunately, I had learned vocabulary on Duolingo, so I could use this program to review, as well as add new skills. Learning, for me, should be visual and as errorless as possible. The program you choose depends on knowledge of your learning style. Mothers show the baby what they are talking about. They don’t just say something out of context and have the baby guess.

Husband K

8/8/2017
horrible price, no successful

Tasha A

5/11/2017
don't buy this program if you want to learn on Ipad. you pay for the program then have to pay for a monthly fee on top of the high cost of the program.

S
susan v

4/11/2017
Rosetta Stone stinks for German. I'd like to know who your so-called raters are. It's fine if you want to stay in the present tense, but German has 14 tenses plus the imperative, and they aren't covered at all. Neither are idioms. You can't be counted on.

A
Avani

7/12/2017
This application is a good way for beginners to learn. I am currently starting Spanish and have already learned some good basic stuff. I will say if you want to learn to language, though, you must commit to it, because it will not come right away.

D
Deirdre

8/23/2018
I have been a loyal customer of Rosetta Stone for a few years. My learning has been slow because of personal struggles and not because of the program. I had a three year online subscription that was expiring so I phoned the company in October 2017 to renew the online subscription. The person I spoke with assured me the subscription being purchased would attach to my existing account and continue with the point I had reached in the program. I trusted what he said to be true. I had surgeries and recovery before I was able to go back online. When I attempted to begin the renewed program it would not work. After several conversations with Rosetta Stone representatives I was told I no... Read More

M
Michael

12/20/2016
the language software cost way too much in comparison to what others offer

T
Tony G

12/27/2018
I bought Rosetta Stone to learn French in 4 months before going over to France. There is NO English translation of the words/phrases to be able to completely understand sentence and word organization. It did not help me very much and I became very frustrated with the program and gave up. Spoke to an agent of the company who after some discussion - admitted to me that he couldn't learn from the program either!! That should tell you a lot!! Not Recommended!

J
Jim B

2/15/2019
The product itself is good (Spanish), the support I have received is dreadful. Three contacts, including a lot of detail has not resulted in anything more than an automated ticket being opened. Not a call, nothing. I now have a new product that doesn’t work. It stops recording my voice after a sentence or two practically every time. I spend far more time dealing with technical failures than learning Spanish. My system is substantial and Internet speed far greater than required. I purchased a new headset in case the problem was my hardware but that made no difference. The problem could be on my end, it’s hard to say...particularly when Rosetta Stone doesn’t reply.

patricia n

3/11/2019
Great learning tool but very expensive. I bought level 1 Italian for beginners, now I have to get the all included 5 levels which already includes level 1,,,ouch ! The interactive discussion only seems to last for 1 month , too bad !

J
Jim B

2/15/2019
The product itself is good (Spanish), the support I have received is dreadful. Three contacts, including a lot of detail has not resulted in anything more than an automated ticket being opened. Not a call, nothing. I now have a new product that doesn’t work. It stops recording my voice after a sentence or two practically every time. I spend far more time dealing with technical failures than learning Spanish. I purchased a new headset in case the problem was my hardware but that made no difference. The problem could be on my end, it’s hard to say...particularly when Rosetta Stone doesn’t reply.

J
Jose

1/16/2019
Very poor, rudimentary program. I was not satisfied. I purchased the year package for Spanish and was disappointed. Just pictures with recognition. Nothing more. Not worth the high cost.

M
Monserrath

2/15/2017
This is a good language aplication

T
Toronto O

9/24/2019
Terrible software. Downloaded the Spanish software two years ago. Started it up a year ago and it crashed. Contacted Technical support and they got it up and running... Tried to log onto it again last week abut a year later. Crash! went back to the old email and reloaded it … AGAIN... CRASH. Sent two emails to Rosette Stone for assistance. Crickets! Terrible! DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT!!! Rating it as a 1 star only because there is no zero!

K
Kim D

2/26/2024
I bought the Korean package years ago when the packages were stand-alone. It was really bad, but back then it was about the only option if one didn't have a live teacher and wanted something beyond a book. I asked a Korean friend about the content, and she said many of the sentences were unrealistic. I tried to get my money back (within the allotted time), but to no avail. I plowed on. The program is based on the false assumption that adults learn a new language the same way babies learn their mother tongue. Another problem is that the way RS teaches isn't even the way a child is taught and learns. Interestingly, I spoke with someone who was using RS to learn Portuguese, and he... Read More

jacobson.randycandy

10/25/2023
I advise against the purchase. I bought a lifetime download and when it couldn’t support software changes I was out of luck. Offered an app with level one. So basically money down the drain.

J
James

9/25/2018
Really good for Espanyol especially. Worth it to get the yearly subscription.

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