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Rosetta Stone Spanish (Latin America) Level 1-5 Set
by Rosetta Stone
Software SummaryManufacturer: Rosetta Stone
Brand: Rosetta Stone
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: CD-ROM
Release Date: 2010-09-14
Platform: Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger, Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP
Model: 27875
Product features: - Interactive language software with proprietary speech-recognition technology
- Develop your command of the language--read, write, speak, and understand
- Build vocabulary; negotiate complex situations; share ideas and opinions
- Audio Companion for CD or MP3 player; learning application for iPhone or iPod Touch device
- Language-enhancing games; live online lessons; includes headset with microphone
Software Reviews of Rosetta Stone Spanish (Latin America) Level 1-5 SetCustomer Review: A good solid start to becoming fluent in Spanish
Summary: 5 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
Having tried a few other language courses in addition to this one, I haven't found one yet that will make you fluent using only the materials provided. But I believe some are much better than others at giving you a good solid basis on which to build toward fluency and Rosetta Stone is one of those programs. It works by showing you pictures of situations and activity, hearing an explanation in Spanish by a native speaker, and then clicking on the picture that is associated with the spoken phrase. It becomes kind of like a game which makes it fun to use. The thing I like the best about Rosetta Stone V4 TOTALe: Spanish is that it teaches by immersing you in the language, similar to the way you might learn by being in a Spanish speaking country. It is a more natural way of learning than reading a text book or memorizing phrases. It tunes your ears to the correct usage of grammar without having to memorize a bunch of rules. After a while, a sentence just "sounds right" or "sounds wrong." I find that I often hear and understand the sentences or phrases right away rather than translating them in my mind first. You are also asked to repeat phrases or words, using a supplied microphone and the speech recognition software built into the program that will tell you whether your pronunciation is right or wrong.
That said, there are a few things that I thought could be better in helping me to learn. The way the program works is by introducing words and actions through pictures depicting the activity or circumstance. For example, you might see a boy running, a woman running and a man running. You see and hear the phrase, (In Spanish) "The boy is running." You have to click on the correct picture that shows a boy running. Now at first, since there isn't any English at all, you aren't sure if the person is saying, "The boy runs", "The boy is running", or maybe "The boy is jogging." Of course, each lesson builds on prior lessons, so eventually you become clear on the exact meaning of the words. But I think a few English descriptions would be helpful, especially at the start. Occasionally I wasn't sure what the program wanted me to do, but that was mostly in the beginning and became evident after a while.
Another thing I think could be improved on is the CD review discs that you can use in the car or load onto your mp3 player for practice when you aren't sitting at the computer. The words and phrases that you listen to and repeat are only repeated once. Very often, especially when listening in the car where there is often traffic noise, it's hard to hear the correct pronunciation of the word. And when listening to sentences it can become even more difficult. The noise from a treadmill or other exercise equipment can also make it hard to hear. I would like to see at least the essential or newly introduced phrases repeated a second time. On the other hand the actual core program that you use on the computer repeats everything or you can click as many times as you desire on a sentence or phrase to hear it again. Words are also repeated in other sentences and situations many times and part of the way you learn is by repetition.
The program's voice recognition can also be a problem. It's hard to know sometimes if I'm just pronouncing the word correctly or if the recognition software is quirky. On long words I can see where my pronunciation may not be correct but on a simple word like "pan" it sometimes gives me an incorrect tone when I'm sure I've pronounced it correctly. Other times I repeat the word once and the "incorrect" tone will sound half a dozen times. Now some of this could have to do with my computer not picking up my voice correctly. When it keeps happening I write it off to "just plain weirdness" and go on to the next word.
One of the functions of the program is the online activity, both playing games and speaking to native Spanish speakers and non-native speakers that are also learning the language. This can go a long way in learning by practicing speaking in somewhat normal situations. And the games have you learning while playing. The only problem with this is that the online access expires 15 months after you register it, and you have to register in order to use it. Also, only one person in the family can use the online access, so if you have more than one family member who wants to learn, they'll be limited to the core lessons and audio companion discs.
So how does Rosetta Stone compare to other language programs? It seems like I've used hundreds of different language tapes and CD's over the years, and after a lesson or two, I start to miss words that I can't quite hear or understand and get lost and the CD's end up in a drawer somewhere gathering dust. The only other language course I've used successfully is Pimsleur French, levels I, II and III. That course was all audio, that you listen to in the car or on an mp3 player. In some ways it was more accessible since I do a lot of driving for my work and just on errands, so I used it every time I was in the car. But being all audio with the exception of a short word list with each lesson, I had to do a lot of reading on my own in order to be able to read the language. I would say that I'm conversant in French, but not fluent. With Rosetta Stone, because I'm seeing the word written and hearing it at the same time, I think I do less translating in my mind and I understand more quickly. Now part of that may be because Spanish is more phonetic than French. I would say that Rosetta Stone and Pimsleur are the only two language courses out there that are worth investing in. Both are quite expensive, but this is one of those times where you get what you pay for. I think I may buy a couple of the later levels of Rosetta Stone French, just because of the ability to see at the same time I'm hearing French spoken and to have access to French speakers with the online activities.
Using this program consistently is the best way to learn. I would say at least 4 days out of the week if not daily will keep you progressing without forgetting what you learned in prior lessons. With any language, one of the best things you can do is to start trying to read magazines, books or going to websites that are in your target language. A basic verb book is also a great companion as it a translation dictionary. Rosetta Stone is an excellent way to get a good strong basis in Spanish and it's a fun way to learn. Two thumbs up for this program!
Description of Rosetta Stone Spanish (Latin America) Level 1-5 SetDevelop your command of the language. From the simple to the complex, gain the confidence to share your ideas and opinions. Develop conversational skills to plan adventures, care for your health, and move abroad. Talk about government, work, movies, and citizenship. Discuss family and traditions, and celebrate success.
Develop your command of the language. From the simple to the complex, gain the confidence to share your ideas and opinions in your new language. Develop the conversational skills to plan adventures, care for your health and move abroad. Talk about government, work, movies, family, and more. Includes everything you need to learn at home and on the go. What Will I Learn This level will help you: - Build your vocabulary and language abilities
- Read, write, speak and understand your new language
- Speak without a script
- Retain what you've learned
- Practice unscripted conversations in your new language
- Negotiate complex situations with confidence and accuracy
Sample topics include: - The basics, such as age and family relations
- Questions, greetings, introductions
- Telling time, calendar terms, the weather
- Directions, locations, dining out
- Emotions, opinions, ideas
- Political, media, business terms
- Arranging home repairs
- Planning to move abroad
- Discussing the arts and tourism
- Careers and conducting interviews
- Problem-solving and commercial transactions
What Do I Get? Interactive Software Our award-wining version, complete with proprietary speech recognition technology. Audio Companion For your CD or MP3 player so you can review while on the go. Headset with Microphone For use with our state-of- the-art speech-recognition software. Live Online Lessons  Practice sessions led by native speaking tutors. Games & Community Language-enhancing games move you towards real-world proficiency. Mobile Companion Learning application for your iPhone or iPod Touch device. Our Method Recreate the natural way you learned your first language and reveal skills that you already have using Dynamic Immersion. This award-winning method has been adopted by countless organizations, schools and millions of users around the world. Learn Naturally: Discover how to speak, read, write, and understand--all without translating or memorizing. Our award-winning solution recreates how you learned your first language, unlocking your natural abilities. Speak Confidently: Perfect your pronunciation with speech-recognition technology. Gain the confidence in your new voice as you practice with other learners in our exclusive online community and participate in online sessions coached by native tutors. Immerse Yourself: Be surrounded by your new language. From core lessons to online sessions, Rosetta Stone gets you engaged and interacting with others. Stay Motivated: Experience accomplishment with each moment of achievement; with dedicated success agents you will never lose sight of your language-learning goals. Your Natural Ability. Awakened. Natural Discovery Learning your first language is as natural as smiling. Effortless. Rewarding. Every step in Rosetta Stone feels like that. Clear, compelling images appear precisely, in juxtaposition, conveying meaning. Intuitively, you just know what it means. - Our puzzle-like environments--a systematic presentation of sounds, images, and text--help learners absorb meaning intuitively.
 Rosetta Stone's award-winning software, where you will interact by speaking, clicking, selecting phrases and writing. Speech Activation  Rosetta Stone's proprietary speech-recognition technology provides immediate and ongoing feedback. Build your confidence and polish your pronunciation skills with state-of-the-art speech-recognition technologies and success-filled dialogues. - Our software provides immediate and ongoing assessments of your speech through Actionable Feedback, which helps you pronounce syllables, words and sentences correctly and easily.
- Based on a collection of literally millions of speech samples, our proprietary speech-recognition algorithms and speech models were engineered with a singular purpose--to help you communicate with accuracy, confidence and ease.
Native Socialization  Language-learning games will keep you motivated along the way. Practice with native speakers in our live interactive sessions and our online community. Every conversation gives you the confidence to communicate in your new language. - For many, traditional language-learning fails because it lacks real conversation. With Rosetta Stone you'll play games and chat with native speakers and other learners in our online language community.
- Hundreds of native-speaking tutors trained in the Rosetta Stone method are ready to help reinforce the language you're learning through live, online conversations. From Day One you'll be speaking your new language with confidence and ease.
Education & Reference Software
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