Fans of Interracial Romance discussion

I know immersion is the best way to learn a foreign language, but has anyone had any success with the rosetta stone software? I mean real success, not just they enjoy using it because it is fun, I mean they are reasonably speaking the language. It is just too much of an investment to play around with. I have yet to read any truly good reviews on the net. is it for real or just another case of great marketing?

I've played around with it some, and it's adequate, but I would say it may be more effective to try real immersion like watching a soap, reading a book in the language, conversing, etc. In effect, anything that involves listening or translating. I would recommend immersion after you've already been taught the alphabet, grammar and some vocabulary and tried some advanced conversation. When I checked it out, it seemed to focus too much on vocab right out of the gate. I would recommend trying one of the old-fashioned manuals (w/ CD) first. Just my suggestion. :) I didn't try the upper levels, which can be bought separately in the event you want to try the program when you're more advanced.

My problem is that I am at that weird beyond beginner stage. I get too frustrate and confused with more advanced stuff and too bored with things that just focus on vocabulary and basic greetings.

Jenn, what language are you trying to learn?

What foreign language did you take in school?

I've taken French, from grade 3-5. I was happy that I didn't have to take it in junior high. Which, I wish that they would have taught Cajun-Creole french in Louisiana. But, Parisian french is good too, but the older Louisiana people don't really speak that language, but they can understand it, yet the Parisian speaking people can't really understand Cajun-Creole french.

In High School, I have taken German I & II by satellite and my professors was a married German couple. I like German. I couldn't hang with a real German in the language, unless I've really hit the language hard. I'm speak it a little now, but could go a step up.

I love learning new languages. I was learning Italian and Spanish. I have to get back to both.

I have bought a dollar foreign language CD at target in 2004. It has sixteen different languages you can learn on it. It's a good program to me. I was surprise to go to languages that I don't know and could pronoun some of their words and phrases. I say the words or phrase and then press to hear how it's suppose to be said and I nail some of it. That's cool to me.

I have downloaded a free language program off the internet. It's cool. There's so many languages you can learn, even African language, but I didn't quite see the option. It might be there now.

African speaks french as well.

I want to learn Canadian french.

Arch wrote: "Jenn, what language are you trying to learn?

What foreign language did you take in school?

I've taken French, from grade 3-5. I was happy that I didn't have to take it in junior high. Which, ..."

I took three years of French and two years of Spanish in high school. I am trying to focus on Spanish then French later. I had wanted to take two immersions trips this year to Puerto Rico or Dominican Republic, but I will not be able to fit it in my schedule. (It is a shame that it is not even February yet and the year is booked.) Someone did recommend Spanish comic books, so I might give it a try. But next year I am definitely freeing up the time whether it be a language immersion trip or a mission trip to work on my Spanish.

Jenn, are you trying to freshen up on your Spanish?

What are you trying to learn?

Ah, I gotcha, Jenn. In that case, I would really recommend watching or reading something in the language. I think it's the most effective if you don't have the option of traveling, and there are a lot more opportunities (e.g. online) than there used to be now.

I might be able to recommend something for you. What do you like to watch or read? Have you read comics before? :)

Jenn, if you have satellite, you can watch the Spanish channels. I have to say, they do speak Spanish fast.

I have satellite.

Arch wrote: "Jenn, are you trying to freshen up on your Spanish?

What are you trying to learn?"

I am trying to get to that next step in conversation beyond the basic greetings. I do not watch much TV, but one thing I was doing was watching my favorite movies on DVD with Spanish dubbing and subtitles.

new_user wrote: "Ah, I gotcha, Jenn. In that case, I would really recommend watching or reading something in the language. I think it's the most effective if you don't have the option of traveling, and there are a ..."

The last comic books I read was Archie. I think pictures and short paragraphs would help a lot. Fortunately, most of my DVDs have the option of Spanish dubbing and subtitles.

Okay Jenn, then try the comic books.

I agree that immersion is the way to go. My Spanish improved remarkably when I had to use it. I'd say get in a program where the instructor does not speak English, but only Spanish. You will learn very fast that way.

Jenn wrote: "I am trying to get to that next step in conversation beyond the basic greetings. I do not watch much TV, but one thing I was doing was watching my favorite movies on DVD with Spanish dubbing and subtitles."

I've never tried Rosetta Stone, but I think watching TV with subtitles is a very good way to go. Most Europeans, especially those from the North, are able to speak very good English because of this. The countries where they dub movies and TV shows have a lower level of English speakers. This works from my own personal experience as well. When I lived in Norway, that's how I came to learn the language. I was shocked by how effective it was. I'd been going to Norwegian classes for about 4 months and wasn't learning much (we had a really bad teacher who was more interested in improving her own English than teaching us Norwegian). When I started watching Norwegian TV (esp the children's programmes where they tend to speak at a slower pace) it came like magic. You'll aslo learn faster if you combine this with classes and day to day conversation. That's how I learnt most of the languages I speak.

The best way to learn a foreign language is to get you a cheap CD/Book and do the exercises, watch the tv shows if you can rent them and read comic books.

When I first learned German, I went to school while in Switzerland, plus everyone was speaking it around me. The books help you understand vocabulary, grammer and words, but you'll go through this period where when you try to speak it your mind just goes blank. When you do get some words out, you sound retarded. But after reading the comic books, you have pictures matching the words, so you learn conversation better. Once I started with the comic books, I found I could speak better, especially by reading them aloud.

My ex husband learned Spanish when he was in Spain by reading these simple Maigret mysteries and Phantom comics. I met other people over in Europe who learned English by reading comic books.

I don't recommend spending a crapload of money on Rosetta stone. You can find cheap CD/Books at Borders or somewhere. Watching TV shows and reading comics or simple novels is the best way to go.

I can speak a little French and Italian like this.

If you can, try to watch Sesame Street or other children's programmes where they tend to speak slower and a bit more exaggerated in the language of your choice. This helps you to hear the spoken words more clearly and to improve your pronounciation and vocabulary. Also speaking to children helps a lot, esp if the child is not familiar with other languages and thus must speak in his or her own tongue. Children are very candid so they'll have no qualms about correcting you when you say something wrong.

Yeah, watching with subtitles helps a lot. It especially helps if as you watch you write down the English translation of the subtitles.

As far as dubs, I know the following soaps are available on Youtube as Spanish dubs, but there are probably more:

El Rostro de Analia
Corazon Salvaje
El Clon

A historical drama with Spanish subs:

Elisa di Rivombrosa (Italian w Spanish subs)
La Figlia di Elisa (sequel)

Comic Strips in Spanish

There are Korean dramas, manga, anime, etc. translated into Spanish too, so it just depends on what you like.

If you want to learn a foreign language, don't download a piece of software because with the new technology, you can do a lot better than just a program like RosettaStone. Read this review of these products. It's fascinating what can be done with the Internet these days.

new_user wrote: "Yeah, watching with subtitles helps a lot. It especially helps if as you watch you write down the English translation of the subtitles.

As far as dubs, I know the following soaps are available on..."

Thanks for the comic strip link!

I personally think that Rosetta Stone is a waste of money. There are so many other apps that are better and a lot cheaper or free. I found Language Throne to have a lot of resources. There are so many, but Language Throne seems to break down a lot of them.