'Pimsleur vs Rosetta Stone' Language Learning Programs

[Joppy]

Anyone tried these programs for learning languages? Are they as effective as advertised? From what I read they don't go into grammars, so I suppose I would need supplement from elsewhere if I want to advance to a higher level. Could those programs offer at least a head start in learning a new language?

[Tokenconservative]

Anyone tried these programs for learning languages? Are they as effective as advertised? From what I read they don't go into grammars, so I suppose I would need supplement from elsewhere if I want to advance to a higher level. Could those programs offer at least a head start in learning a new language?

No replies.

Too bad, I'd like to know, as well.

Tokie

[Ryokan]

I haven't tried Pimsleur, but I'm currently trying to learn Turkish with Rosetta Stone. I haven't gotten very far yet, but the words seem to stick in my head without much conscious effort.

[Flesh]

I've used both of them among many other language programs.

Pimsleur is my favorite of all the programs I've used. This is because they actually explain certain things about the language. For example when I took the Japanese lessons it explained how some words in Japanese are assumed, like the words "I" and "You". Instead of saying "I understand" you would just say the word "Understand". It also explained how you can add "ka" on to the end of a word like "Understand" and it turns it into a question.

I used Rosetta Stone also when I first started learning Japanese. It is a nice program but it just wasn't meant for me. It actually got on my nerves because it doesn't really explain anything.

When it comes to learning some of the grammar of a language I used BYKI. You can find it at BYKI.com. I used it for Japanese as well as Finnish and it works really nicely for teaching you how to spell words and sentences and making them stick in your mind. It's also cheap which is always a plus. :)

I hope this helps.

~Flesh

[Joppy]

Thanks for the replies. I was feeling a bit lonely here. :)

I've used both of them among many other language programs.

Pimsleur is my favorite of all the programs I've used. This is because they actually explain certain things about the language. For example when I took the Japanese lessons it explained how some words in Japanese are assumed, like the words "I" and "You". Instead of saying "I understand" you would just say the word "Understand". It also explained how you can add "ka" on to the end of a word like "Understand" and it turns it into a question.

I used Rosetta Stone also when I first started learning Japanese. It is a nice program but it just wasn't meant for me. It actually got on my nerves because it doesn't really explain anything.

When it comes to learning some of the grammar of a language I used BYKI. You can find it at BYKI.com. I used it for Japanese as well as Finnish and it works really nicely for teaching you how to spell words and sentences and making them stick in your mind. It's also cheap which is always a plus. :)

I hope this helps.

~Flesh

From what you said, I am leaning more toward pimsleur. I am learning French btw. Grammar wise, I have a book that does a good job of explanation. But a book can't teach listening and speaking so that is my main goal for these programs.

I'll try out the free version of BYKI first and see.

[Antranik1]

I have tried both Pimsleur and Rosetta for french. Pimsleur is a lot more awesome. I use the cd's in the car and it explains everything decently and fills your head up with the language so you get used to it in conversation.

Rosetta on the other was just as Flesh said...

I used Rosetta Stone also when I first started learning Japanese. It is a nice program but it just wasn't meant for me. It actually got on my nerves because it doesn't really explain anything.

Yeah, no explanation, just word then picture, picture then word kinda game. I preferred Pimsleur.

[balrog666]

Anyone tried these programs for learning languages? Are they as effective as advertised? From what I read they don't go into grammars, so I suppose I would need supplement from elsewhere if I want to advance to a higher level. Could those programs offer at least a head start in learning a new language?

I've used Pimsleur for several languages - they are aimed at the conversational level rather than rigorous literary study. And they work very well for that purpose.

Even after the first course, while you may not be able to follow every word in a foreign movie, but you can get the gist and tell when the subtitlers were sloppy.

Also great for foreign travel. You should be able to have a simple conversation and order dinner - but understanding a tour guide might be a different matter.

And they have advanced courses that build on what you have already learned.

[GreNME]

Wow, I hadn't heard of Pimsleur before, though I have used the Rosetta Stone and BYKI software. I've learned best so far from buying books on the languages I want to learn, and haven't had as much success with the software side. I think I'll check out Pimsleur, though, because I like its approach.

[Normal Dude]

I have used Rosetta Stone for German, although I was using it in conjunction with other venues (penpals, etc), and I already knew some German. I enjoyed it very much. I have not used Pimsleur, so I can't comment on it.

[Ribbitalu]

I was not very keen on Rosetta Stone - I received the Hindi edition as a gift (so I can speak with my mom-in-law). I was quite frustrated because it was more of a "here are a bunch of words" program. Perhaps if I had a workbook to actually learn how to construct sentences, I would have enjoyed it more.