REVIEW: Rosetta Stone

Though expensive, Rosetta Stone is recognised as one of the best products for learning a language. 

Its method is based on associating images with sound and text, meeting the mnemonic criteria set out in our Memorize Languages page.  The Rosetta Stone method is particularly good for vocabulary.

The basic program shows you four images at once while you listen to the pronunciation and pick the right alternative.  There are thousands of pictures in the database and you progress in a carefully-structured manner. 

Confidence and results improve as you move through.  The programme is easy to navigate and engaging to use.

We like Rosetta Stone as a company because they provide testimonials and solid customer service.  It is worth getting in touch with them to check this out for yourself before you purchase. 

They also offer a money back guarantee, an impressive commitment for this type of product.

REVIEW: Linguaphone

Linguaphone offer a range of courses based on their Listen-Understand-Speak methodology. 

Their courses are tailored for different needs so you need to choose the one that meets your goal.  They seem to specialise particularly in the tourism and home user markets.

Most courses are multimedia and offer background info on the country.  Whilst their courses appear to target less advanced users, pricing is attractive and the company has a well-established track record.

REVIEW: EuroTalk “Talk Now” Products

EuroTalk produce software for over 100 languages in DVD format. 

They have some interesting “bundle” products available for ambitious language learners, such as their Euro 21 pack which contains all European Union languages. 

Their method is based on fun and interactivity: factors we know will aid memorization and successful learning. 

Interactive quizzes and games are included to make the process enjoyable.  The software is intelligent and helps you target weak points.  Tailored products are available for business learners.

One quirk of this software is that it is light on grammar.  It is therefore likely to be attractive for young and recreational learners.

The Chairman of EuroTalk has contributed to our Guest Articles exclusively for this website.

REVIEW: Transparent Language “Learn Now” Series

This software takes an integrated approach.  While throwing you in at the deep end to learn real conversation, grammar reinforcement is also supplied on demand. 

This may be superior to other approaches which ignore grammar altogether.  There is nice use of video too with transcripts and translations to support your progress. 

Finally, a pronunciation tool is also included.  This is certainly one of the more complete packages available on the market.

REVIEW: Michel Thomas Language Courses

Michel Thomas takes a radical approach to language teaching, with a method based entirely on listening. 

There is no need to write or memorise anything and you simply listen in on conversations between two language learners.  The courses are currently available only in a narrow range of European languages. 

Note that this is not software but an audio method therefore best-suited to auditory learners.

The focus is entirely on spoken language.  As we point out in our Speak Languages Fluently page, there are many good reasons for taking this tack. 

Users give this approach rave reviews for the way that languages are “demystified”. 

The Michel Thomas method is unashamedly about taking short-cuts and to a large extent it works.  However, it's an approach you either love or hate, so we recommend you try before you buy if possible.

REVIEW: 101 Languages of the World (Transparent Language)

This is one for the committed linguist.  It contains 140,000 words and 25,000 phrases covering 101 languages with a word processor (thesaurus, spell checking, character sets etc.) included.

Please be aware that not all the languages are treated equally.  In most cases spoken dialogues are provided, however in around a quarter there are only vocab. flash cards. 

Grammar treatment is relatively light, but useful for advanced linguists who can recognise analogies from languages they may already know.

If you are learning only one or two languages then the treatment in this product is relatively superficial compared to a dedicated course. 

If on the other hand you enjoy getting a smattering of many different tongues (to enrich your travel for example) then it would be an ideal product. 

Some impressively obscure languages are covered, including Asturian, Faroese, Macedonian, Maori, Sicilian, Swazi and Tongan to name just a few. 

This is the perfect gift for someone you know to be a bit of a polyglot.  Indeed the pricing for what it offers makes it something of a bargain.