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Mondly vs Rosetta Stone

Thursday, February 13th

2025 Chinese Lesson Reviews

Mondly Review 3 Star Rating

Mondly

3 Star Rating
  • Affordable lifetime access offer to all Mondly languages at $99.99
  • Offers a 7-day trial of the Premium features
  • Offers over 40 languages to learn
  • Geared towards beginners, teaching languages from novice to advanced intermediate (A1 to B2) level
  • Uses voice recognition, conversation-based learning, and daily lessons
  • Allows for practice in speaking, reading, and writing
  • You can learn your target language from 31 different languages
  • Features categories, lessons, statistics, and leaderboard
  • Provides grammar insights by tapping words in the app
  • Includes an Augmented Reality (AR) feature for interactive learning

Mondly is a language learning app that offers you the opportunity to learn over 40 languages. It's designed for beginners and uses voice recognition, conversation-based learning, and daily lessons to help you progress. You can practice speaking, reading, and writing, and even learn your target language from 31 different languages. The app features categories, lessons, statistics, and a leaderboard. There's also an Augmented Reality (AR) feature for interactive learning. However, be aware that Mondly, which was acquired by Pearson in 2022, might not prioritize updates for all languages other than English and its offerings are considered pretty average. You can try out their premium features with a 7-day trial, but remember, they have a strict no-refund policy.

Rosetta Stone Review 2.5 Star Rating

Rosetta Stone

2.5 Star Rating
  • $47.97 for 3 months or $126 for a year
  • Offers live-streamed classes (Live Lessons) covering various topics
  • Provides immediate pronunciation feedback through TruAccent speech recognition software
  • Customizes your learning journey based on your needs with "Your Plan"
  • Includes additional features like Stories and offline downloads of the Audio Companion
  • Gives 30-day money-back guarantee
  • Offers a 3-day free trial

Rosetta Stone, a long-established language learning platform, offers immersive lessons to learn new languages, including Chinese. It costs $47.97 for three months or $126 for a year, but live tutoring sessions cost extra. As you start using Rosetta Stone, you'll be speaking Chinese aloud right from the start, with a unique learning pathway designed just for you. However, it seems to lack character writing practice. The immersion approach, which doesn't provide English translations for words and phrases, will be frustrating. Even with extra tools like Stories and the Audio Companion for offline use, Rosetta Stone may not be worth the price because of its issues. So, you might find better ways to learn Chinese elsewhere.

Where Can You Get the Best Chinese Lessons Online?

The motivations for learning Chinese are as diverse and compelling as the language itself. Perhaps you're fascinated by the rich history and culture of China, eager to read its classical poetry or modern literature in its original form. Maybe you're looking to expand your business skills and communicate directly with the vast Chinese market. Or, you might dream of traveling through China, exploring everything from bustling cities to serene landscapes, all while engaging with locals in their native tongue.

Learning Chinese, however, presents a unique set of challenges unlike those found in learning languages like Spanish or French. For one, there's the intricate system of Chinese characters, each carrying its own meaning and pronunciation, which can seem daunting at first glance. Then, there's the tonal nature of Mandarin Chinese, where the meaning of a word can change dramatically with the pitch of your voice.

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Chinese Lesson FAQ

With China being the most populated country in the world, it will come as no surprise that an estimated 1.31 billion people speak Chinese - approximately 16% of everyone on the planet! And, that only includes those whose first or native language is Chinese, not those who are learning it as a second (or third!) language.
There are seven primary dialect groups in Chinese: Mandarin, Yue (or Cantonese), Min, Kejia, Gan, Xiang and Wu. Mandarin is the most widely used and is the dialect you'll most likely use if you travel to Taiwan, Singapore, or China, particularly in the northern regions. Most Chinese lessons are based on Mandarin.
Chinese is one of four languages ranked as a Category IV by the State Department's Foreign Service Institute: a designation that means that, for native English speakers, Chinese is "exceptionally difficult” (along with Arabic, Japanese, and Korean). However, if you're patient and hard-working, you can learn to speak and write in Chinese!
Many experts recommend focusing first on learning how to speak Chinese. The written language is extremely complex, because it's based on pictographs and not a phonetic alphabet, and most learners have a bigger need to communicate orally than in writing. Chinese is a tonal language, where shifting the "shape” of one's voice can change a syllable into a different word. (In Mandarin, for example, the syllable "ma” can mean everything from "mother” to "horse” and even "to scold” depending on the tone!) That can be very tricky for non-Asian learners to master, making it a great place to start.
There's no way to study Chinese that's more convenient than online lessons. You don't have to worry about making it to class on time, being able to register for a course, or turning in homework! Studying Chinese online is also much more affordable, and it lets you take things at your own pace.
Depending on whether you're using a Mac or PC (or an iPhone or Android), there are different steps you can take to enable a Chinese keyboard. Your best bet is to do a search based on the operating system you've got and follow the steps to turn on the Chinese language functionality.
No! You can choose classes with one-time fees for a complete course or a monthly subscription for continuous access, but both types of Chinese lessons are very affordable. For example, one popular program has a 12-month membership for just $16.66 per month, and another offers two levels of Chinese lessons for $249.90. You'll have a hard time finding an in-person class for less than that!
Sometimes. If you've subscribed to a monthly plan, you'll probably be able to cancel future recurring payments. If you've paid for a package of Chinese lessons, some platforms will allow you to request a refund within the first 30-60 days of use. However, your best option is to use any free lessons or resources that the language program offers prior to purchase: many sites have partial or full lessons you can try before you buy, or a 7-day trial you can use before your payments kick in. That's a great way to find out if the Chinese lessons you're considering are a good match for how you learn and what you want to get out of your studies.
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But don't let these hurdles deter you. With commitment and the right resources, you're on your way to fluency. Mastering Chinese opens up a universe of cultural, professional, and social opportunities, allowing you to connect with over a billion speakers worldwide.

Online Chinese lessons offer a variety of approaches to suit different learning preferences. For auditory learners, there are programs focused on immersive listening practices, helping you attune your ear to the nuances of the language. If you're game for a challenge, gamified learning platforms make acquiring new vocabulary and grammar points engaging, rewarding your progress with points and badges.

For those who prefer a more structured learning path, comprehensive courses provide a blend of video lessons, interactive quizzes, and writing exercises, ensuring you develop a well-rounded skill set, from character recognition and writing to speaking and listening.

And if personal interaction is what drives your learning, tutoring services connect you with native Chinese speakers for real-time conversation and cultural exchange, enriching your study with authentic experiences.

Feeling overwhelmed by the options? Here's what to consider as you begin your journey to learn Chinese:

  • Current fluency level. Assess whether you're starting from scratch or if you have some knowledge of Chinese. Choose lessons that align with your starting point.
  • Learning medium. Determine whether you prefer app-based lessons, audio files, desktop platforms, or another format that fits your lifestyle and learning habits.
  • Skill focus. Decide if you want to concentrate on listening and speaking, reading and writing, or a combination. Remember, Chinese characters are essential for reading and writing, and tone practice is critical for understanding and being understood.
  • Pinyin vs. characters. Consider if the app emphasizes learning through pinyin (the Romanization of Chinese sounds) or focuses more on teaching Chinese characters. Some learners may prefer starting with pinyin to master pronunciation before moving on to characters, while others might want to dive directly into character recognition and writing.
  • Cost. Evaluate whether the lessons are priced as a one-time payment or require a subscription. Consider the value of free options and the benefits of paid upgrades.
  • Learner reviews. Look for feedback from other learners. Their experiences can provide insight into the effectiveness of the platform and the time it may take to see progress.

To guide you to the best Chinese lessons for your goals and preferred learning style, our team at Top Consumer Reviews has tested today's leading options and provided honest feedback on what each one offers. So, what are you waiting for? Embark on your Chinese learning adventure today!

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