Tuesday, January 21st
2025 Italian Lesson Reviews
Rosetta Stone
- Starting from $15.99/month
- Offers a lifetime access option with all 25 languages
- Uses a combination of images and sounds for teaching
- Units, On-Demand Videos, and Stories
- Includes Phrasebooks to help navigate situations in Italy
- Teaches basic words and phrases, gradually introducing more complex grammar
When someone mentions Rosetta Stone, you might first think about those big yellow boxes with CDs inside. These were pretty popular before everything went online and digital. You might also remember seeing ads for Rosetta Stone on TV or in magazines, promising to teach you a new language "the natural way." It claims to help you learn a new language through "immersion”, which means it tries to teach you in the same way you learned your first language as a kid - by connecting words with images and sounds, not through translating or memorizing grammar rules. If you think that sounds a little too simple to be true, you just might be right.
Not true immersion
Let's start by breaking down the claims about immersion. Language immersion means you're totally surrounded by the language you're learning, like at a university where you and other students sign a pledge to only speak in Italian or risk expulsion. That's total immersion. You could get the same experience by living and working in Italy. Just using a computer program like Rosetta Stone for an hour a day isn't the same as full immersion.
Rosetta Stone encourages guessing
Rosetta Stone uses a lesson structure similar to a slide show. You start by matching pictures to spoken words, learning basic things like "girl," "boy," "woman," and "man." Then, you learn basic actions like "walk" or "play," helping you form simple sentences. As you progress, the course gets harder, introducing you to more words and grammar rules. However, some of the phrases you learn early on might not be very useful. Also, Rosetta Stone encourages you to guess meanings, similar to how children learn languages. But you're not a child anymore. You already know English, so guessing can waste your time. Instead, you can understand new words and phrases immediately through translations.
Stories may be more frustrating than educational
"Explore All Content” yields 20 Units of Italian (ranging from Language Basics to Family and Community), On-Demand Videos (only 16 total), and Stories. In a story about a small farm (”La piccola fattoria”), only some of the vocabulary words were associated with images, like a butterfly image when you hovered over farfalle. But what if you don't remember what fiori means (or Rosetta Stone never taught you) and there's no image for it? Either you look it up, or you scratch your head and move on. You have the option to have the story read aloud to you and then to speak it yourself, but that won't teach you what the words mean.
Rosetta Stone struggles with conceptual vocabulary
This approach especially doesn't work well when the vocabulary is more conceptual than physical. Rosetta Stone's offerings include Phrasebooks, meant to help you navigate situations you may come across in Italy. In one of these, the image associated with "Capisce?” is a woman looking at a menu. You could potentially figure it out from context, but think how long it would take you to speak fluent Italian if you had to puzzle over every word.
An expensive deck of flashcards
So how much would you be paying for the rosetta Stone immersion method?
- 3 Months: $15.99/month, $47.97 total (1 language)
- Lifetime: $199 one-time, down from $399 (includes all 25 languages)
- 12 Months: $10.50/month, down from $13.99, $126 total (1 language)
While this may be good if you're interested in learning multiple languages, if you're only interested in learning Italian, this may not be a worthwhile deal. If you compare the monthly subscription cost, you'll find other services that offer more engaging features at roughly half the cost. For instance, one previous Rosetta Stone user stated, "I have used it and I absolutely hate it. It was like a $250 flashcard deck."
Better choices available
Rosetta Stone might not be the best choice for you if you're trying to learn Italian. It says it will teach you like you learned your first language as a kid, but you're not a kid anymore and you already know another language, so guessing at meanings can waste your time. Plus, just using this program for an hour a day isn't the same as being immersed, like Rosetta Stone claims. It's also quite expensive, and there are other programs out there that cost less and might be more fun to use.
More Italian Lesson Reviews
The 11 Best Italian Lessons
Where Can You Find the Best Italian Lessons?
Learning any new language opens up a world of opportunities, and Italian, with its rich history, captivating culture, and melodious rhythm, is no exception. Learning Italian online has become an increasingly popular choice for people around the globe, thanks to the convenience, flexibility, and variety of resources available at their fingertips.
It's no wonder that learning Italian online has surged in popularity. You've got plenty of options to fit just how you like to learn. If you prefer to learn by listening and getting the hang of how Italian sounds, there are programs made just for that. They help you get used to the language's rhythm and pronunciation. And if you love games, there are fun platforms where you can learn new words and grammar through play, earning points and badges along the way.
Italian Lesson FAQ
Continued from above...
If you're someone who likes a clear and structured plan, there are courses that mix video lessons, quizzes, and even writing tasks. This way, you can get better at reading, writing, speaking, and listening to Italian, all in a balanced way.
Prefer talking to real people? You can connect with native Italian speakers through tutoring services. They can talk with you in real time, which is a great way to learn how people actually use the language and learn more about Italian culture.
Whether you're drawn to Italy's enchanting cities, passionate about its cuisine, an admirer of its contributions to art and music, or simply looking to connect with family roots, learning Italian can enrich your life in myriad ways.
Imagine strolling through the cobbled streets of Rome, ordering gelato in flawless Italian, or enjoying the operas of Verdi and Puccini in their original language. Or perhaps you're an avid cook, eager to dive into authentic Italian recipe books without the crutch of translations. Learning Italian can also be a stepping stone in your career, especially if you're involved in fashion, architecture, or the culinary arts, industries in which Italy holds a prestigious position. Moreover, for those with Italian heritage, learning Italian could be a bridge to understanding your ancestry and connecting with relatives in a more meaningful way.
When comparing the process of learning Italian to other Romance languages, like Spanish, there are a few unique aspects you might encounter. Italian's pronunciation is often more straightforward than a language like French, with most letters having a consistent sound, which can make speaking it a bit easier for beginners.
However, Italian has its share of challenges, such as the use of gendered nouns and a plethora of verb conjugations, aspects that are also present but differ slightly in Spanish. The musicality of Italian, with its emphasis on the flow and melody of speech, offers a distinct learning curve but can be incredibly rewarding to master.
Not sure where to start? Think about these things as you weigh your options:
- Your starting point. Are you brand new to Italian or do you know a bit already? Pick lessons that match where you're at.
- How you like to learn. Do you prefer using apps, listening to audio, or sitting down at your computer? Choose a format that fits your routine and how you learn best.
- What skills do you want to focus on. Do you want to get better at talking and listening, or are you more into reading and writing? Or maybe you want to work on everything! Knowing this will help you choose the right lessons.
- Different Italian accents. Some programs might teach a specific regional accent in addition to the standard Italian that's used all over Italy. Italy's full of different accents, but everyone understands standard Italian.
- Cost. Some lessons are free, while others cost money either upfront or through a subscription. Think about what you're willing to spend and what you get from free versus paid lessons.
- What other learners say. Look for reviews from people who've used the lessons before. Their experiences can tell you how effective the lessons are and how quickly you might learn.
To steer you towards the best Italian lessons that align with your goals and preferred learning style, our team at Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated today's leading options and provided honest feedback on what each one offers. So, what are you waiting for? Start your Italian learning journey today!
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