Language learning software, what do you recommend? | FerrariChat
Buy

Language learning software, what do you recommend?

Discussion in 'Other Off Topic Forum' started by kovachian, Nov 30, 2008.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. kovachian

    kovachian Karting

    Jun 27, 2006
    228
    central Indiana
    Full Name:
    Ron
    #1 kovachian, Nov 30, 2008
    Last edited: Nov 30, 2008
    In hopes of one day going overseas as part of my future IT career I want to learn a foreign language, French in my case. But before I can register for any language classes next year, I figured I'd go ahead and get a head start on it now. I know there's Rosetta Stone and I'd prefer to buy multiple levels at once but for $550? Software is rarely cheap to make, this I know, but five fifty sure is a hefty price for just clicking on picture screens repetitiously.

    I've Googled this and have found other software but I don't know what's good and what's not, so has anyone tried something other than Rosetta Stone?

    Yes, I know the best route is to go to the country where the language is spoke...that is not an option for me yet, so I need the next best thing for the time being.
     
  2. 62 250 GTO

    62 250 GTO F1 Veteran

    Jan 9, 2004
    7,765
    Nova Scotia Canada
    Full Name:
    Neil
    #2 62 250 GTO, Nov 30, 2008
    Do a quick search, Rosetta Stone will pop up as well as others.
     
  3. kovachian

    kovachian Karting

    Jun 27, 2006
    228
    central Indiana
    Full Name:
    Ron
    #3 kovachian, Nov 30, 2008
    I already did a search and have found several - Transparent, Tell Me More, Fluenz and others. I'm just curious about anyone's opinions about various programs other than Rosetta Stone.
     
  4. 62 250 GTO

    62 250 GTO F1 Veteran

    Jan 9, 2004
    7,765
    Nova Scotia Canada
    Full Name:
    Neil
    #4 62 250 GTO, Nov 30, 2008
    I meant a search on FC.

    http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=195579&highlight=language
    http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=191599&highlight=rosetta+stone
    http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=173973&highlight=rosetta+stone
    http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=133836&highlight=rosetta+stone
    http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=96923&highlight=rosetta+stone
    http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=100976&highlight=rosetta+stone
    http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=83406&highlight=rosetta+stone
    http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19120&highlight=rosetta+stone

    There are several mentioned in the links above. When you see the others, just type them in and search them by name.
     
  5. kovachian

    kovachian Karting

    Jun 27, 2006
    228
    central Indiana
    Full Name:
    Ron
    #5 kovachian, Nov 30, 2008
    Ohhh gotcha, I'm sorry. I search Google by default and tend to skip on the forum searches. Thanks.
     
  6. js430

    js430 Formula Junior

    Mar 9, 2005
    373
    Seattle
    Full Name:
    Jerry Kahane
    #6 js430, Dec 1, 2008
    I use an mp3-type thing with basic controls called talkabout or talkalong...something like that. It has about 140 different lessons, each with vocab sets and phrases, and my goal is to do at least 1 lesson a day. Sometimes I get through more. After a month I felt comfortable in Spanish. I picked mine up at a Barnes and Noble bookstore.

    Rosetta Stone is way overpriced. You're better off buying some books and buckling down.
     
  7. js430

    js430 Formula Junior

    Mar 9, 2005
    373
    Seattle
    Full Name:
    Jerry Kahane
    #7 js430, Dec 1, 2008
  8. wax

    wax Five Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jul 20, 2003
    52,410
    SFPD
    Full Name:
    Dirty Harry
    #8 wax, Dec 1, 2008
    Fixed thread title, as "learnign" = "learning"

    *snicker*
     
  9. js430

    js430 Formula Junior

    Mar 9, 2005
    373
    Seattle
    Full Name:
    Jerry Kahane
    #9 js430, Dec 1, 2008
    Edumacation. You can't beat it.
     
  10. kovachian

    kovachian Karting

    Jun 27, 2006
    228
    central Indiana
    Full Name:
    Ron
    #10 kovachian, Dec 1, 2008
    Alrite alrite so I'm careless with the typing! Thanks for the correction, I noticed it but didn't care since I couldn't change it anyway.

    I found http://www.fluenz.com/ and it looks really good. At $323 on Amazon it's not too bad I guess, and it should keep me tied over at least until I'm eligible to sign up for language electives next year. Don't suppose anyone here has tried Fluenz huh? And I can never have too much material anyway, so I might check out the Playaway stuff.
     
  11. Gilles27

    Gilles27 F1 World Champ

    Mar 16, 2002
    13,337
    Ex-Urbia
    Full Name:
    Jack
    #11 Gilles27, Dec 1, 2008
    If you don't want to spend big bucks on software, look into textbooks. Not as schnazzy as interactive computer-ware, but still a good primer.
     
  12. wax

    wax Five Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jul 20, 2003
    52,410
    SFPD
    Full Name:
    Dirty Harry
    #12 wax, Dec 1, 2008
    Actually, best thing to do is get a French Girlfriend to um, practice with.

    As that goes, find the film "Better Off Dead" - amongst other things, you'll learn so much about speaking French in that fine, fine, film.
     
  13. kovachian

    kovachian Karting

    Jun 27, 2006
    228
    central Indiana
    Full Name:
    Ron
    #13 kovachian, Dec 1, 2008
    LoL I saw that when I was a wee lil tyke!

    "He keeps putting his testicles all over me."
    "Excuse me?"
    "You know, like octopus? Testicles?"
    "Ohhhh. Tentacles. N-T. Big Difference."
     
  14. wax

    wax Five Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jul 20, 2003
    52,410
    SFPD
    Full Name:
    Dirty Harry
    #14 wax, Dec 2, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Watch it again! There are so many wonderful characters in that movie...

    <Ricky's Mom>They're speaking The International Language, isn't that right, Ricky? hnyuh, hnyuh, hnyuh</Ricky's Mom>
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  15. Ferraribot

    Ferraribot F1 Veteran

    Jul 14, 2008
    7,992
    Atlantis, under the sea...
    #15 Ferraribot, Dec 2, 2008
    Are there any language classes in your area that aren't school-related? When I was in Florida my friend was going to take a Spanish class for around $200. I studied French in school and a big part of it for me was hearing it and pronouncing it. When I took it later in college it was much more difficult because it was practically all textbook.
     

Share This Page