| Rosetta Stone Version 3: German Level 1, 2 & 3 Set with Audio Companion | 
 enlarge | From: Rosetta Stone
Category: Software
List Price: $549.00
Buy New: $494.10
You Save: $54.90 (10%)
Avg. Customer Rating:  35 reviews
Sales Rank: 112
Format: Cd-rom
Platforms: Windows Vista, Windows 2000, Windows Xp, Mac Os X
Media: CD-ROM
Edition: Level 1, 2 & 3
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.9
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 6.5 x 3
Model: 20585
UPC: 794678205859
EAN: 0794678205859
ASIN: B001AFFRM0
Release Date: June 16, 2008
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Customer Reviews:
 Very, very good but also expensive November 21, 2008
My previous German language experience came from an eight week German reading course I took about 5 years ago. The emphasis was not on speaking, but rather to give us the basic tools in order to begin the process of deciphering German texts. I've had a few other language classes since then, establishing me if not as a thorough polyglot at least as a someone well versed in language training from a variety of different teaching styles, approaches, and contexts.
I've tried to keep up with a number of these languages I've studied, with various success, and with various software help. Mostly the inexpensive kind. I've picked up the Instant Immersion disks (a great, inexpensive, entirely un-thorough approach), the Learn to Speak series (about the same, though with a lot more content).
Recently, to learn German for my studies I looked at more thorough programs and two stood out. The Rosetta Stone series and the Tell Me More. I noticed Tell Me More was getting great reviews and was less than half the price. Being a little financially strapped I skipped the trend and bought Tell Me More. And I'm very glad I did. It's an effective program that has pushed me quite along in learning the language.
Still, there was a tickle in my brain. Is Rosetta Stone really better?
Now, with Rosetta Stone German and Tell Me More German in hand I have an answer.
And yes, Rosetta Stone is the better program.
In some ways.
Really, I'd have to say these are quite different programs, rather than one being substantially better.
Tell Me More is a like a class in a box. There is a mix of exercises that help to build vocabulary, sentence structure, writing, pronunciation, and other aspects. Each section has a large mix of short lessons that reinforce the learning without becoming dull or tedious. Save yourself taking language classes by using Tell Me More.
Rosetta Stone is a lot less like taking a class. It's more like finding yourself on an island with a group of people who all only speak another shared language. And if you want to learn how to thrive on this island, then you follow their patient, but focused, teaching. The lessons advance by building on previous lessons, adding grammar and vocabulary in small increments without being separate focus. Rosetta Stone goes for whole learning, approaching the language as a whole rather than in separate topics. Also, there is a tracking system so that after a certain amount of days a review lesson pops up that makes sure what was learned a couple of weeks ago is still there. Good confidence boost too.
This approach sticks, and it is effective.
My only quibble is I'm not sure it's quite worth the amount of money they are asking. Indeed, if money isn't an issue then by all means go with Rosetta Stone. There are qualities that do set it apart, and it helps a person feel much more involved in the language and less like taking a class. I see it also as a continued resource way beyond the initial run through, providing a consistent platform to keep the language sharp.
The island analogy is also appropriate because Rosetta Stone doesn't have nearly the same amount of cultural exposure that Tell Me More does. The Tell Me More program offers more German (as in the country) exposure, along with Austria and Switzerland.
Tell Me More also has a more potent vocabulary push, especially early on. Rosetta Stone takes a long while to build a foundation and with this can become pretty repetitive.
But, if money is an issue Tell Me More is comparable in quality, without being nearly as expensive.
That's not a slam against the product quality of Rosetta Stone at all. It really is an extraordinary software, and revolutionizes language learning.
Better than Pimsleur November 20, 2008
The Rosetta Stone language system, for me at least, is far better than Pimsleur. Pimplseur only teaches oral skills; I need to be able to "see" words and have the visual re-enforce the spoken.
 Good for some November 1, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
This product will allow you to communicate on a basic level in German. After completing the three levels you will still be at a beginner level. Do not buy this product expecting to become fluent in German.
 Simply a Great System - Highly Recommended October 31, 2008
Rosetta Stone - German
I have never used any of Rosetta Stones' products before, but I am familiar with the challenges of learning a new language (having taken Japanese for several years) and I was looking forward to giving this a try.
Rosettas Advantage:
Rosetta uses immersion as it's main method, which basically means that you learn a language in that language, rather than presenting a concept or phrase in English and then providing the foreign language equivalent. I think Rosetta's approach is the right one as it provides a word or phrase with conceptual identifiers (within pictures) that seem (at least to me) to work much better than any other method I have tried.
Rossetta's approach is to start you off immediately in the language you are learning, in this case German, and you immediately start to associate the new words and phrases with their meaning. Rosetta does this in a pretty effective way, using pictures of people in situations where the words are used, allowing you to associate the words and items in your mind.
Where Other systems Fail:
The reason the "presenting a phrase in English / then in another language" approach other systems and college courses use doesn't work well (in my opinion) is that there are many cases where there is no direct foreign equivalent. This is especially true with cultural-centric phrases like greetings and farewells that have developed and contracted over time in such a way that the meaning is much more than the translation. The other problem with teaching a foreign language in English is that you tend to rely on the translation in your head rather than "thinking" in the language you are speaking.
The Challenge:
It is said that Rosetta is addictive, and I couldn't agree more. If you like a challenge (most language learners do), then you will have lots of fun with this. I found that I really didn't want to quit and challenged myself to do better with each lesson. Yes, eventually, your mind gets pretty tired and you will take a break, but I have to say it is really fun and you really feel like you've had a mental workout after (in a good way).
The system comes with audio CD's, which I think is really helpful, but I find I only used them to check them out, not necessarily in the car or at home. I think a great replacement or add-on to this feature would be some kind of iTunes subscription that let's you easily put these on an iPod or MP3 player. I would likely listen to the audio more while working or maybe if I want something in the background to occupy my mind a bit when doing tedious work. I would often do this with a Japanese radio station and found it helped me with picking out words from native speakers and using the language within the correct context.
I installed Rosetta Stone on a Mac with OSX Leopard and I had no problems at all. The only suggestion that I would make is that you be sure to restart after installation, just for safe measure. Since it interacts with hardware (via the included USB headset and mic), and requires activation of the software, it's a practice I have come to trust, regardless of the installation instructions and so far has treated me well.
The system comes with good instructions on installation and use, a headset, the installation CD's and the audio CD's. In fact, the documentation is above par in most respects. Kudos to Rosetta for that. The only issue I had is that the box everything comes in is small, which is great for those of us with environmental concerns, but this means the headset included can get a bit squished. In my case, one of the ear pieces was broken off in the box and didn't work. I found it uncomfortable to hear in only one ear although the mic seemed to work well. Lucky for me I had another around and used is (Creative Fatality Headset (Black) - http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Fatal1ty-Gaming-Headset-Black/dp/B001BDI9SU/ref=pd_bbs_4?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1225474432&sr=8-4 ) and this one worked very well.
Bottom Line: Having taken a few languages, this was, by far, one of the most fun experiences I have had. I find it stimulating and challenging with just the right mix of everything in it to keep everyone happy. For me, it sparked a whole new interest in German from my whole family. We all had fun with it together
Everyone learns differently, and I have spent quite a lot of time learning this in business as well. Methods that work for some, may not work well for others. I think Rosetta has found a "sweet spot" here and would recommend it to anyone except those that like a structured approach based in English.
All of this aside, Rosetta Stone shouldn't be your only tool in learning a language, and it's not intended to be. The culture is a great part of the language, and you should experience the culture at every opportunity to really start to understand how to speak fluently. You will never be "finished" learning a language. You are never done. As my Japanese teacher would say, "This is the beginning of a lifetime of learning". How true.
Armed with Rosetta, I think you'll be pretty well prepared for the lifetime learning a new language will bring. It is a perfect place to start.
Go, Rosetta, Go! October 30, 2008
I have already tried two other Rosetta products and they worked so well, that I also got this German language program although I already know this language at a certain level. As of this time I do not know any other language program that could successfully compete with this one. Except, of course, for learning language abroad. I fully recommend Rosetta's language series for everyone. For more detailed information please refer to my reviews of Rosetta's French and Italian.
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