Best learning language software?

[AnthroAndStargate]

I am trying to relearn Chinese (I have taken in in uni - but got lazy with it and would rather do it at my own pace)... was wondering if you guys have used any good lang. software?

I just checked out Rosetta Stone , but it seems like crap. Although I torrented it so it may be that I dont have all the manuals I need.. I dono.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

[Journer]

i tried rosetta too...i didnt like it very much either...
primsular (major SP) makes a bunch of audio based learning crap...

honestly..its best to take it in a classroom/tutoring envrionment, IMHO...

i tried forever to learn japaneese w/ roessta stone, prims, and other crap, but as soon as i starter taking this tutoring with a jap teacher my understanding and ability of the language went way up

 

[AnthroAndStargate]

Originally posted by: Journer
i tried rosetta too...i didnt like it very much either...
primsular (major SP) makes a bunch of audio based learning crap...

honestly..its best to take it in a classroom/tutoring envrionment, IMHO...

i tried forever to learn japaneese w/ roessta stone, prims, and other crap, but as soon as i starter taking this tutoring with a jap teacher my understanding and ability of the language went way up

For Rosetta did it come with textbooks in English for the Japanese stuff? The Chinese stuff I downloaded is all in traditional character and pinyin - and doesnt have any english guidance, just the written word(s), a picture, and a soundclip in Chinese. It's ok for a bit but then when it gets harder and I dont know the words im lost.

 

[akshatp]

Move to China and live in a community where you don't know anyone and where nobody speaks any English. I am betting you will pick it up fastest this way.

 

[DaWhim]

Originally posted by: AnthroAndStargate

Originally posted by: Journer
i tried rosetta too...i didnt like it very much either...
primsular (major SP) makes a bunch of audio based learning crap...

honestly..its best to take it in a classroom/tutoring envrionment, IMHO...

i tried forever to learn japaneese w/ roessta stone, prims, and other crap, but as soon as i starter taking this tutoring with a jap teacher my understanding and ability of the language went way up

For Rosetta did it come with textbooks in English for the Japanese stuff? The Chinese stuff I downloaded is all in traditional character and pinyin - and doesnt have any english guidance, just the written word(s), a picture, and a soundclip in Chinese. It's ok for a bit but then when it gets harder and I dont know the words im lost.

I actually think TRS is the best software to learn language out there, if and only if you have the determination to get through with the program. I learned a bit of korean(a few lesson) 3 months ago, I still retain alot of it in my brain.

the way the program designed is they teach you as if you are a 3 years old learning a langauge. that's why if the program is in chinese, everything is in chinese. it works.

 

[maddogchen]

I'm trying the Rosetta stone now...haven't gotten past lesson 6 in part 1 yet...so not much progress.

 

[eleison]

Originally posted by: AnthroAndStargate


For Rosetta did it come with textbooks in English for the Japanese stuff? The Chinese stuff I downloaded is all in traditional character and pinyin - and doesnt have any english guidance, just the written word(s), a picture, and a soundclip in Chinese. It's ok for a bit but then when it gets harder and I dont know the words im lost.

I brought the legal version of the Rosetta stone for Thai. There is very little "english guidance" or any text book of any sort .. you are suppose to learn what things means by "deduction" as if you lived in the country.. for instance, whena person points to an object and says a word, you are suppose to try and associate that word with the object; you are NOT trying to associate that object with an "english" word..

If you don't know what the words mean, you should re-do the old exercises.. the lessons build on themselves.. you've seen the words before..

Personally, I like rosetta stone.. my thai's getting better. But to each, his own

 

[lyssword]

Originally posted by: akshatp
Move to China and live in a community where you don't know anyone and where nobody speaks any English. I am betting you will pick it up fastest this way.

actually no that wouldn't be the fastest way, unless you have a lot of dictionaries/translators at your disposal..

 

[uberman]

Rosetta Stone, yes it comes with books, I have russian-english. Dover books, Say It series. Oxford Picture Dictionary, If bilingual version available, better choice.Learning another language is a big job.
[ http://search.store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/n...talog=doverpublications&query=say%20it]
I hope this is the right one. Maybe it should be Chinese/ English.
[http://www.us.oup.com/us/catalog/genera...ictionaries/?view=usa&ci=9780194351898]

 

[AnthroAndStargate]

Thanks for your help!

 

[HN]

i've been listening to these:
http://www.chinesepod.com/