I've been anticipating this update since I first saw the blog post. My g/f is italian and my inspiration for learning the language. The poor girl has had to listen to me rave non-stop about how much I've been looking forward to the new update.
Personally, it looks evan better than described. I'm a sucker for earning badges as an insensitive and I'm looking forward to landing on the leader board. Most of all it's the "Know It" feature I can't wait to test drive. It'll really help step up my practicing and speaking.
What do you all feel about the update? Have a favourite feature?
Thoughts on Rocket Languages 2013 Edition?
Tristan--
November 28, 2012
jason-oxenham-founder
November 28, 2012
Salut Tristan
Thanks for the quick feedback! This has been the culmination of many months work from the Rocket Languages team, and we are proud to get the new version out there (even if it was 24 hours late!).
Make sure you check out the Phrase Finder: My Toolbox > Phrase Finder. I think lots of people will find this very handy...
All feedback and comments appreciated!
All the best with your language learning
Tristan--
November 28, 2012
Sei molto gentile!
I didn't mind the delay and didn't mention it on purpose. The site was great and a daily part of my life so anything new was a bonus. Well worth the wait.
That Phrase Finder is fantastic and i'm already putting it to use.
Feedback:
- It looks like i can't use the My Vocab feature on the found phrases.
- A link or note to the lesson the found phrase came from would also be helpful.
Cheers!
-----Tristan
jason-oxenham-founder
November 28, 2012
Very good points Tristan. I will add those enhancements to the wishlist! Please feel free to post any other ideas.
Remcy-M
November 29, 2012
I love this new edition I have been waiting for it anxiously too. I even made my own study guide and have been waiting too see whether the hear it, say it, understand it, and phrase finder could be implemented into my study guide. Time to see if my rocket study guide will pay off. My favorite feature so far has to be the badges. I want to go straight to the top
jason-oxenham-founder
November 29, 2012
Salut Remcy
Thanks for the feedback! Feel free to post anything you think would add value to the learning experience. A lot of the changes came through member feedback so the more the merrier!
Remcy-M
November 29, 2012
I think it would be really cool if the Rocket languages team could add points for doing the megacards beginner and megacards advanced games. These games have very practical phrases that I think are invaluable in learning a language. It could be like 1 point per card since there are 150 cards for both sets. I also think it would be cool if it were possible to add the "know it" system to the megacards game. This would really help to reinforce the phrases being taught to us.
jason-oxenham-founder
November 29, 2012
Great idea Remcy. I will add that to the list as well!
Remcy-M
November 29, 2012
I also think it would be cool if the Rocket team could add like a Leaderboard for different days/weeks for example it could be like "Top 10 Points Earners of the week" and "Top 10 Point Earners Today" i feel like this would help people avoid procrastination and also help people to give it their all plus it encourages competition
jason-oxenham-founder
November 29, 2012
Hi Remcy
Over the next few weeks we are looking to add filters to the leaderboard so you can filter by date and language. We will also look into geographical filtering, so you can see how you compare with other people in your region.
Dionna-Monique
November 29, 2012
I absolutely love the new features and I'm honestly impressed. I didn't think that something already so great could get any better but I've been proven wrong. The only thing Rocket Languages needs is a better way to have members interact with one another. The forum is great but having other ways to practice with other members would be nice as well.
jason-oxenham-founder
November 29, 2012
Salut Dionna
You have read our minds! We are looking at extending the interaction between members early next year. We were a little wary of making too many changes at once! Do you have anything specifically in mind with regards to what you would like to see in terms of improved interaction? Webinars, online tutoring (one on one and/or group), being able to see/add friends, etc?
Dionna-Monique
November 29, 2012
All of those sound amazing - especially the online tutoring. I was definitely thinking about being able to see/add/message friends though. I knew from a while back that you guys were working on making things more member interaction friendly though it was never said when it might be implemented. I just want to thank all of you for your hard work and dedication of helping others learn languages. Rocket Languages is seriously the best language learning program out there and I definitely recommend it to everyone that I know.
jason-oxenham-founder
November 29, 2012
Thanks Dionna! I will make sure that your feedback is passed on to the team here at Rocket Languages!
john-o4
November 30, 2012
has the recent change in format to a two way interactive one raised any computer security concerns particularly since we are using Real Audio,which in the past has been criticised by some for alleged potential security weaknesses ?
Kat-S
November 30, 2012
I was pleasantly surprised by the new look and really like it. I see you have an android app, but I'm really looking forward to the iOS version. I am so enjoying the lessons.
Bien hecho. Gracias
jason-oxenham-founder
December 1, 2012
Hi John - Do you mean the Rocket Record and Know It features? None of the audio on Rocket Languages is in RealAudio format. We only use the mp3 format. This is actually more of a tech question, so please email support via the Help and Support link at the top of this page.
Hi Kat - Thanks! I am glad you like it. Its looking like early next year for the iOS and upgraded Android app. With the large amount of content and functionality in our courses, it has proven trickier than we anticipated to get these ready.
Remcy-M
December 5, 2012
I just gotta say I really like this leaderboard thing. It's like the ultimate motivation tool for me because I have to find the balance between studying really hard and trying to accumulate points but I also have to make sure I'm not just rushing to get points.The time limit and score limit is also great.Phrase finder has also been immensely helpful when I repeat the conversational lessons out loud. 2013 edition so far is the best one.
Rocket languages team Dōmo arigatō gozai mashita.
jason-oxenham-founder
December 5, 2012
Thanks for the feedback Remcy! The Phrase Finder has proven to be an unexpected hit:) With the points/Badge system we are tracking things like the amount of Rocket Record uses, and we were surprised when we found out there are over 50,000 Rocket Record plays every day!
Byron-K21
December 5, 2012
I love the new upgrade! The "Know it" section is really useful to understanding the language. I've completed the Premium and Premium Plus, but the "Know it" exercises are teaching me that I have to do a lot more review and practice.
jason-oxenham-founder
December 5, 2012
Guten tag Byron, I too have been revisiting a lot of lessons using the "Know it" testing/rating. It certainly is a step up in challenge! Have you found the icons in "Know it" that show you what level you rated each word/phrase useful?
Remcy-M
December 6, 2012
Is there any way to add phrases from the language lessons into the "know it" system or a way to set the score for how much phrases/words need to be reviewed before your score is given to you. I noticed that not all the phrases from each lesson are in the "know it" system although we are given a lot. I feel like the "know it" system is more important and it'd be cool if the User could set the score for how many words/phrases need to be reviewed. I believe after 8-10 tries the system usually rates your performance. It would be really cool if the User could make up their own "hear it, say it" "know it" from the chosen phrases/ words throughout the course ofcourse with a limit to how many phrases/ words could be used.
James-R1
December 6, 2012
Like every language lover I think rocket french is brilliant. If only they'd used it in school I'd of learnt a lot more in the 5 years of studying French! I'd like to suggest that the written material be made as an audio track as well. The interactive audio works so well with the grammar lessons underpinning it, but as someone who has two small children and little time to learn at home it would be good if I could listen to a reading of the grammar so I can really get to grips with it.
I'd also like to say that rocket french is excellent in that I can come back to it whenever I want even over the years I've been a member and you've never asked me for more money or given a time limit. So thanks very much for all the updated featured, keep going. James
Byron-K21
December 6, 2012
I will second what James said. I had a year and a half of German in college and have done some self study over the years: CDs, dual language readers, etc. but it seemed like I could never get beyond the very basics. I even tried Rosetta Stone. I feel that with Rocket German I can break through my learning barrier and make some real progress. I've been a member for several years and, like James, appreciate the free upgrades and new learning tools. I am particularly excited by the latest release. I'm going back through all my completed lessons for Premium and Premium Plus and doing the Know It exercises. I think we have all experienced that it is one thing to read and understand and quite another to be able to express yourself in another language. The features in the new release are going to help me break that barrier.
Tristan--
December 6, 2012
James, I couldn't agree more w/ your grammar suggestion. I listen to my interactive audio over and over again at work until the vocabulary is infused in my mind. The words I struggle w/ the most are from the grammar lessons that I don't get to hear out loud as frequently.
Even if it wasn't the same as the interactive format. Just having those words available for download and listen to away from my computer would help so much!
jason-oxenham-founder
December 6, 2012
Remcy -
1. Perhaps we could tie "Hear it Say it" and "Know it" in with My Vocab. Because you can create a list of words/phrases there, and add new ones that aren't necessarily in the course. The issue would be around the corresponding audio track for words/phrases that are not in the course, those would have to be recorded by the user for them to appear in either "Hear it Say it" or "Know it". Is that the gist of what you are suggesting?
2. With regards when the rating should start, what benefit do you see in being able to change it?
The reason some words/phrases are not in the My Level database is that there are some anomalies in the way that some words/phrases were originally recorded. They wouldn't fit the required format for "Hear it Say it" or "Know it"
James and Byron -
Thanks for your comments!
James and Tristan -
The suggestion of recording the Language lessons has been brought up before. The reason we have resisted doing it is mainly cost and as some of our voice talent has moved on we would need to use different voices (which may in fact be a good thing, to be able to hear different accents). This one I could put on the wishlist but there are months of recording involved!
Remcy-M
December 6, 2012
With regards to the first question I was just saying that because I was thinking about what tristian said about how he struggles with the words from the language lessons I would have the same problem but I think I found a way around it by studying the "know it" part of the language lessons I did it for an hour with 2 units and it has been of great help for reinforcing the words. I believe if I do it daily for a couple weeks I'll be fine. On second thought there's no need for the compilation mentioned earlier. Actually there's no need for my second question as it was related to the first one after using the "know it" system for just 5-6 minutes per language lesson today I realized I can make it a habit and build upon what I know adding a little more each day. Was this the thought behind the "know it" system?
jason-oxenham-founder
December 6, 2012
Hi Remcy
OK, all good. "Know it" was an improvement suggested by members as well as by our own staff! It definitely works well by putting you "on the spot" so to speak. I will still add the possibility of changing/combining how My Vocab and My Level ratings work. Its just trying to find the best way!
Anjaani--
December 12, 2012
I am loving the new format, badges and games in the Hindi course. it would be really great to have games for checking your understanding of the writing lessons.
the know it section really tests your memory and understanding.
Lanny-L
December 12, 2012
Lanny-L
December 12, 2012
Perhaps you should have two versions of your software. One for American English speaking people and one for British English speaking people. These Lanuages are not the same. The vowels are different. Confusing to mix English Lanuages. When you mix something it is not pure. Clarity is important.
Byron-K21
December 12, 2012
Interesting observation, Lanny. I'm a native American learning German and I've traveled abroad. Yes, UK dialects and idioms can be very different from American dialects and idioms. For example, Cockney English and urban (black) American English would be so different that people from these regions likely couldn't understand each other. However, the "official" English, if you will, as spoken at universities and businesses, in both the UK and American is similar enough that you should have no problem understanding or being understood. I worked for many years with Indian teams who learned British English and although there were a few different expressions like "dust bin" versus "trash can", "query" versus "question", etc the differences in languages did not present a problem. I think you'll be OK.
jason-oxenham-founder
December 12, 2012
Hi Anjaani - The reason the Writing lessons do not have My Level is to do with the way the lessons have been technically set up in the CMS. It is not going to be straightforward to get the rating system to work with the writing lessons. I will put it on the wish-list for sometime next year though.
Hi Lanny/Byron - This has come up a couple of times in the past, however I think Byron has it right. Not only that, it would be an extensive and time-consuming task to re-record all of the courses to cover both American and UK English.
Byron-K21
December 13, 2012
What could be fun for students, and probably not too expensive, would be to have some Language and Culture sections where certain phrases were spoken by people from different geographic regions. I personally think accents and dialects are interesting. I can now detect some differences in the native German speakers although I can't identify the regions they are from. So, it would be really interesting to hear speakers from different parts of the country, nothing too wild and crazy, still speaking hoch Deutsch but with their regional accents. The same would apply to students learning English, e.g. east coast, mid west, southern speakers. Regional idioms are fun too in any language. This would be in the nature of additional lessons versus redoing the courses.
Tristan--
December 13, 2012
Byron, I agree. My Italian girl friend and her family are always telling me that certain words that say or I use are "dialect."
I noticed that I pronounce the word "here" "kwee" and they pronounce it "kwaa"
One of the family members said my pronunciation was more northern. I think that's kinda cool and would love to learn more.
Mario-M
December 13, 2012
A very good new format. Unfortunately the 'My Level' listening exercises, unlike in the previous format, don't seem to work on the ipad, which prevents me from listening to an important part of the programme.
Remcy-M
December 13, 2012
This is related more to what was mentioned by jason, I think about it sometimes and it would be really helpful if there was a chatroom for members that way people can test their knowledge of the language & culture lessons along with the IAC lessons with each other. And besides if someone is more advanced than me I can learn new words/phrases from them. Then everything would be in one place. Language lessons, IAC lessons, chatroom, webinars/tutoring one-on-one or group if possible, master games, badges and leaderboard.
Remcy-M
December 13, 2012
Mario M. I know what you're talking about and there is a way around this you have to buy the "photon web browser" from the appstore or another Flash based browser. Once u have that the layout of the website will change to look more like the computer version and you'll be able to use the "hear it say it" and "know it" features I only have tablets so this is how I get around using the website with my ipad until they release an ios app.
Mario-M
December 13, 2012
It works great Remcy M, thanks for the tip, a much better browser than Rover.
jason-oxenham-founder
December 13, 2012
Byron/Tristan - I will add your suggestion re different dialects to the wish-list for next year!
Remcy - Thanks for the Photon tip also, I will forward that onto customer support so they can let anyone who asks know what to do! And the chatroom idea is probably at the top of our product development list for the next few months.
Hernan-G
December 16, 2012
The updated version i.e. Rocket Spanish Platinum was a surprise for me - I totally did not expect it. The badge point system does its job in terms of encouraging me to study more. However, I do notice that when I take tests, it does not consistently add points I have earned. Are there still a bug or two being worked out?
Steven-L40
December 16, 2012
Hi everyone!
This is my first experience learning a foreign language. I hope it is a positive one, and I'm not too old.
Hernan-G
December 16, 2012
Steven L40, I have met a good deal of retirees who are learning a foreign language for purposes of travel, retirement as an ex patriot, or perhaps a desire to do mission work in a foreign country. I am referring to an individuals in their mid to late 60s and beyond. What I believe is required is patience, persistence, and an opportunity to have conversations in the language you are learning. My guess is there are Italian language meet up groups in your area; check this out: http://italian.meetup.com/
Good luck.
Byron-K21
December 16, 2012
Hi Hernan and Steven
Hernan, I too have noticed that badge points for tests do not always get recorded and I have reported it. I was told that there may be some delay in points getting updated. Maybe so, but I'm pretty sure there have been some instances where my points did not get recorded ever.
Steven, I'm 73 years old and recently retired. I've had some college German, many years ago obviously, and some haphazard study off and on since then. I am determined and confident that with Rocket German I can learn it well enough to carry on simple conversations, read signs and manage to get along with the language when I travel to Germany or Austria again which I plan to do when I have completed the platinum course. First, however, I'm redoing all of the exercises in Premium and Premium taking advantage of all of the new features of the new release.
Hernan-G
December 16, 2012
Hi Byron - I hope someone from Rocket Spanish is noting the point system issue because I am not getting points for many tests, and also am not when doing the recorded feedback system. I was also told by Rocket that there might be a delay for the points to appear; but I have waited and ... nothing. I suppose we are in something of a beta roll out mode in an otherwise delightful program.
As an aside, we had a gentleman in his late 60s (from Germany originally) who is learning Spanish for the first time in my "meet up" conversation group. Apparent the global company for which he works opened a new factory in Quito Ecuador, and he travels every month or so to analyze finances. So I am a big believer it is never too late. I am 57 and believe that the exercise of learning a new language is globally helping me focus on other subjects. Perhaps it is just my imagination, but I get the sense that it is a kind of healthy exercise for the mind. H.
Byron-K21
December 16, 2012
Hi Hernan - I completely agree. It's good exercise for the brain and fun as well. Good luck with your studies.
jason-oxenham-founder
December 16, 2012
Hi all - Re the badges/points system; In general the points should be updated immediately, the exception is with the Master Games, with which there may be a delay due to server issues. It is also worth noting that you only get points for lesson quizzes and proficiency tests the first time you do them.
If anyone does come across any particular instances where this is not the case then please email customer support and we will get it sorted out!
And I wholeheartedly agree... it's never too late to get started with something new whether it be learning a language, writing a book, or whatever. As long as the brain is learning new things!
howard
December 21, 2012
regarding the two versions of English from Lanny L. 13 Dec. (i.e. US English and English (no such thing as "British English" btw)) and the good response from Byron Kolz, it's a pity that Rocket didn't remind Lisa (Chinese2) for her dreadful US accent to use Business or University English which I agree is very similar
Howard
Jeremy V
December 24, 2012
i think a chat room for people who are learning that language would be great. features: add friends
chat, translate button. maybe even and voice chat. that would be pretty cool.
Bill-C111
December 28, 2012
Hi Jason,
The point system was a great motivational idea, but it does indeed still have problems. I have reported this several times to the Support email address, but no response so far. Some, but not all, of the time that I complete a quiz for a new level, the points show up in "Recently received points." For example, points for level 2.1 appear, but not for levels 2.2. or 2.3. Even the points that do get recorded in "Recently received points" do not appear in either the "Leaderboard" or in the total badge points shown under the badge icon.
On a different topic, are you considering adding additional levels past the Hindi Premium?
Thanks!
Bill