Language learning software, what do you recommend?

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.

 

Do a quick search, Rosetta Stone will pop up as well as others.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Ohhh gotcha, I'm sorry. I search Google by default and tend to skip on the forum searches. Thanks.

 

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.

 

It's called Playaway...here's the link for the French lessons. I do suggest that you also get a couple of books so you get used to how French looks when it's written, as it uses a lot of contractions and the sounds are run together when you speak it...
http://audiobook.playawaydigital.com/titles/40-leons-pour-parler-anglais

bon chance

 

Fixed thread title, as "learnign" = "learning"

*snicker*

 

Edumacation. You can't beat it.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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."

 

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

 

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.