When viewing programs to learn German, Rosetta Stone’s review for learning German is one you’re bound to search in your research. Rosetta Stone is one of the biggest brands in language learning. Since launching in 1992, they’ve helped millions of people around the world learn new languages through their immersion-based software.
Rosetta Stone’s courses use a method called Dynamic Immersion where students learn through images, text, audio, and speech recognition technology – without any translation. The goal is to build an intuition for the language by associating words directly with meaning.
In this comprehensive Rosetta Stone German review, we’ll cover:
Table of Contents
After 30 years in business and continuous improvements to their products, Rosetta Stone remains a popular choice, especially for beginners looking to build a foundation in a new language.
But it also receives mixed reviews from some customers regarding pricing, educational effectiveness, and the outdated CD-ROM format.
How Rosetta Stone’s German Language Learning Method Works
Rosetta Stone’s approach to teaching languages is based on immersion – learning by associating words and phrases directly with meaning, without any translation.
Some key aspects of how their program works:
No translation
Students learn new words and grammar concepts by seeing images, hearing audio, and reading context clues. There is no translation or explanation in English.
Focus on conversational skills
The courses emphasize building practical conversational abilities like shopping, ordering food, making small talk, etc.
Adaptive speech recognition technology
Their TruAccent speech engine provides feedback on pronunciation and accent to help students speak more naturally.
Mobile app for practice
Learners can access lessons and practice activities via iOS and Android apps to reinforce skills on the go.
Progress dashboard
The student dashboard tracks your progress, areas needing improvement, lessons completed, and more.
Structured learning paths
Courses are organized into themed levels focused on topics like food, family, travel, business, etc. Difficulty gradually increases.
Covers all core skills
Lessons aim to build well-rounded proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
This immersion-based system aims to mimic how we learned our first language naturally as children, by associating meanings with words directly. Students can build an intuition for the language.
However, Rosetta Stone’s lack of grammar explanations is one downside some learners note. But overall, many find the immersion approach effective, especially when paired with other resources.
The Pros of Learning German Language with Rosetta Stone
Rosetta Stone has earned its strong reputation and popularity over the past 30 years for several key reasons:
Effective immersion method
For many learners, Rosetta Stone’s immersion approach helps them grasp patterns and build an intuitive feel for the language by associating words directly with meaning.
Speech recognition for pronunciation
Their TruAccent speech recognition engine listens to you speak and provides instant feedback on pronunciation. This helps improve accent and speaking skills.
Good for beginners
The structured, gradual levels make Rosetta Stone a solid foundation for people starting totally from scratch with no prior experience.
Anytime, anywhere practice
The mobile app enables you to reinforce skills during spare moments of your day while on-the-go. Review lessons, play games, complete activities, and track progress.
Simple, clean interface
The software provides a streamlined user experience that is intuitive and easy to navigate.
Covers all German language skills
Lessons build well-rounded proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and listening – not just conversational abilities.
For those seeking an interactive, multimedia german language program with speech recognition, Rosetta Stone delivers an immersive experience focused on building instinctive skills.
The Cons of Learning German with Rosetta Stone
However, Rosetta Stone also receives its fair share of criticism over the years, including:
Can be boring
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Lacks grammar explanations
There are no explanations about grammar rules and structures, just pattern recognition.
Difficulty spikes
The difficulty curve may get frustratingly steep in later levels as sentences become more complex.
Pricing is expensive
Compared to app-based programs like Duolingo, Rosetta Stone is a pricier investment.
Speech recognition isn’t perfect
The speech analysis technology can be glitchy at times and doesn’t replace human feedback.
While immersion is effective for many, some learners are left wanting more context and grammar support. Next we’ll look at Rosetta Stone’s pricing and packages.
Rosetta Stone Pricing Plans and Subscriptions
Rosetta Stone offers a few different pricing options:
- 3 month subscription – €15.99 per month (€47.97 One time payment)
- 12 month subscription – €6.99 per month (€83.88 One time payment)
- Lifetime subscription – €199.50 One time payment
The longer your subscription, the lower your effective monthly rate. They frequently offer 50%+ limited-time discounts, so don’t pay full price.
Rosetta Stone pricing is considered expensive compared to apps like Duolingo. But their frequent special offers make it more affordable.
Rosetta Stone German Review Scores and Ratings
On Facebook, Rosetta Stone has over 2.5 Million followers, indicating strong brand recognition and popularity.
On Trustpilot, they have a 3.4 out of 5 star rating based on over 6500+ reviews. Positive reviews praise the immersive method where you can immerse in the culture of the language you are learning. Negative focus on cost and lack of support.
They have a A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. 80% of consumer reviews on ConsumerAffairs recommend Rosetta Stone.
So while reviews are mixed, overall Rosetta Stone maintains largely positive ratings, especially among beginners looking for an interactive foundation.
Top Alternatives to Rosetta Stone
Some top alternatives to consider include:
Pimsleur
Pimsleur also uses an audio-based immersion approach with 30-minute daily lessons. It offers courses in German.
Fluenz
Fluenz uses contextual learning and native speaker audio in their German course. Includes video lessons and feedback.
Duolingo
Duolingo provides bite-sized, game-like German lessons. Very affordable but less in-depth.
Babbel
Babbel has short German lessons focused on conversational language with grammar support.
Verbling
Verbling is an online tutoring platform with affordable German classes and native teachers.
Goethe-Institut
The Goethe-Institut offers in-person and online group German classes at various proficiency levels.
Local german language classes
Look for group classes at universities or german language-learning meetups.
Conclusion: Is Rosetta Stone Worth the Investment in 2024?
Rosetta Stone remains one of the most well-known and trusted language learning programs, especially for beginners looking to build a solid foundation.
The immersion method is effective for many, providing interactive multimedia lessons across reading, writing, speaking, and listening. While not the most cost-effective option, discounts make Rosetta Stone more affordable.
Look to supplemental resources or tutoring for more context, grammar explanations, and conversational practice once you’ve built up core proficiency.
Overall, Rosetta Stone is best suited for dedicated beginners who can take advantage of their frequent 50% off sales. But combination programs may be more well-rounded.
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