Rosetta Stone and the Benefits of Language Learning
August 7, 2008
3:52 am
Curriculum Reviews, Everything Else
I am a certified Spanish teacher and firmly believe that learning another language helps a child in so many ways! We use Rosetta Stone in our house along with me speaking to my children in Spanish off and on. Although there is no such thing as a perfect program, Rosetta Stone is the best I have seen for homeschoolers. I love the method of immersion and natural language learning. Rosetta Stone is a computer program in which the student is shown several pictures and then has to figure out which picture is being talked about. The student must then pick the correct picture. Students are also asked to type what they hear in the language about the picture they see. Written quizzes and tests (in book form) are a part of the program also. There is also a part of the computer program in which the student tries to mimic a native speakers voice.
Here are some ways that learning a language can benefit children:
*They become less ethnocentric.
*They learn parts of speech better when another language is studied.
*Their vocabulary is greatly increased (especially if they learn a Latin-based language: Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese or a Germanic language).
*They have a marketable skill when they enter the work force.
*Their brains make more connections which will enable them later in life to learn a third or fourth language with greater ease if the need should arise.
*They can improve their knowledge of geography.
*They earn higher SAT and ACT scores, especially in the verbal part.
*They have better language skills in their own language.
Cran :
Date: August 7, 2008 @ 5:22 am
It is interesting to hear your thoughts on Rosetta Stone. I have looked at what they do and like the speed at which you can learn different vocabulary.
However, to actually learn sentences and cultural context where you can apply the language you have learnt, I think it really lacks.
As you mention, there is no such thing as a perfect program, but I think when you are spending 200USD or more for a limited program, you are missing out.
Not only does Rosetta Stone have limited “real” language learning, but it also lacks mobility in the sense that you can continue to learn away from the computer (on your iPod, on your mobile phone or just on paper).
There are a number of other quality web 2.0. Spanish providers to consider including live mocha.com, http://spanishpod.com, notes on spanish and more..Within these types of programs you are sure to find a solution that provides more than what Rosetta Stone charges you an arm and a leg for.
Sarah :
Date: August 7, 2008 @ 2:19 pm
I love Rosetta Stone. I have used the Greek program and my children have learned a lot in a short time. My children are using Greek conversationally so it is working for them.
Alexis :
Date: August 7, 2008 @ 8:00 pm
I completely agree with you on how learning another language benefits our children. I especially agree that it is a great asset to have when entering the workforce! It’s such a blessing to be able to teach a foreign language to our children when they’re young and can easily learn it! Thanks for this post.
John :
Date: August 7, 2008 @ 9:26 pm
It costs money, but you can use free language software from http://www.valodas.com
Max :
Date: December 13, 2008 @ 4:53 am
@Cran
I agree, Rosetta stone is great for learning some basic vocab, and defiantly makes remembering the vocab easier, since you are exposed to both an audio and visual examples, but very much lacks in the technicality side of things. I think they did this for a reason, it is much easier for a person to grasp the technical parts of a language than it is for one to grasp the vocab and speaking aspect. So the demand is for a product that can teach this harder side in a better way. Im currently using the program to help me with French, which I plan on taking classes through high school and college, in order to grasp everything about the language.
But the only way to be completely fluent in a language, is to live in a country where the majority of the language is the one you’re learning for 2-3 years.