Rocket Languages Reviews

I've been using Rocket Languages for three days now. So far, I've been satisfied. My concern with self-studying was that I didn't have any conversation partner. I wanted to have a conversation partner online but I didn't think that we can have meaningful conversation since I'm only a beginner. However, the interactive audio course helped me out. I can practice a conversation while correcting my pronunciation and accent just based on what I've been studying. Other than the interactive audio course, I'm also pleased with the comprehensiveness of the whole program, from Premium Level 1 to Platinum Level 3. I've browsed and asked customer service about it; I can reach C1 with the whole program. Since my goal was to use Japanese in business, this was a really nice. Looking at the course material from Premium 1 to Platinum Level 3 and based on my 3-day experience, I can definitely reach N3 or maybe even N2/N1 with the program.

The voice recognition works pretty well. It struggles with very short sounds, but overall very good. I've used other programs that ask you to speak the answers, but the pronunciation analysis makes me try much harder to say each response out loud.

The romaji is good for beginners, but already know hiragana and katakana, so the romaji is very distracting. I wish there was an option to turn off romaji so I can practice reading.

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Seems very easy to learn, so for. I kind of wish they had the course on HD DVD. I'm going deaf, I'm 78 yrs old. I.ve been trying to learn a little using books and ASL dictionaries, But nothing I've found compares to this! I only wish they had a more affordable price, I'm living on Social Security.

I had used Living Language's NOOK tablet app, which opened my eyes to just how helpful computer-based language learning could be. I also tried Rosetta's app. As I researched available systems, I discovered Rocket Languages Chinese (Mandarin). After only a few weeks' study, using Rocket Chinese, I was able to greet,and exchange pleasantries with ,Dr Paul Lam,in his native Mandarin! He even complimented me on my correct use of tones, then asked how I learned. Of course, I was thrilled to tell him about Rocket Chinese. The Rocket Chinese course really brings the language alive ;while allowing the learner to progress at their own pace. I wish the Premium Plus level had more exposition of grammar; but overall, Rocket Languages provides unbeatable "bang-for-your-buck". Using Rocket Chinese, I have reached a level where I can now start to use more- traditional, book based grammars,and make sense of the material- whereas, before , the books were just mute, and cryptic, and I just was not absorbing the lessons. Rocket is the way to go!

Would I recommend to a friend? Already did, to all four of my immediate colleagues at work that are considering Spanish, French, Italian and Japanese.

Did Pimslueur when I was trying to learn Lithuanian for my wedding. Great for pronunciation but certainly very limited vocabulary, no grammar instruction, no book and no writing component. Very expensive on top of that.

Rocket Italian seems to have all of these bases covered so that I can look forward to a true understanding of how the language works rather than parroting back audio tapes.

I am generally very happy with the spoken feedback and the quality of the instruction of Spanish.

Unfortunately often my mic fails to pick up my spoken answer correctly. I bought a special mic for my iPhone and I hope that the mic performance will improve.

However, I need to review and practice hard points such as writing with the correct accent marks. Doing the harder parts of lessons several times is helpful.

I am very pleased with being able to download lesson lectures. Then I can practice away from the computer. This is very helpful.

One problematic lesson:

In Module one of Rocket Spanish, there is one lesson that is poorly designed. Presently I am doing the alphabet. Why is there no spoken practice of the alphabet? Words are presented as a vocabulary list to be memorized. How useless. ! But there is no testing or practice of spelling which is the object of the lesson. This pointless presentation of the alphabet is unlike the quality of other lessons. I wish it could be redone.

Also, in this lesson it is argued that the alphabet is related to learning the correct pronunciation of Spanish.

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This could easily be a 5 star program, but there are enough poor choices by the designers that make it less valueable or frustrating to use that I am being generous to give this 3 stars. The bottom line is that it works, and it did better for me than when I used Rosetta Stone to learn another language.

I have been using this program for 10 months and have had 3 visits to Germany during this time related to work. This is where I think the program isn't good:
1. This program stresses in the informal ways of addressing people. Germans, especially in business, use the formal case (Sie not Du).
2. The program doesn't teach any language rules, rather just provides example after example such as how to conjugate a verb.
3. THe most frustrating part is that the program tries to inculcate easy words (Ja, Nein), and sometimes not useful words like Wunderbar constantly, but doesn't stress words that are important to know such as to want, to like, to take, to need. If someone can't get Ja and Nein correct after the third lesson, then they need to quit.
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Great course and I have learnt a great deal. My only negative comment is that the course so far (nearly finished level 1) does not give enough teaching on putting the language together, rather it teaches phrases. I am trying to learn the language as I now live in Spain and trying to learn the language.

I have been learning French for the last 10 years using a variety of methods including books and Rosetta Stone. I felt I was not progressing very well and nothing stuck which hindered my wanting to continue to learn. However, I found this site and tried the trial version and wow, just wow. In the space of a day I had learnt and memorised more French than I had in the 10 years of trying alternative methods. I have since bought the full version and I have no regrets whatsoever. The content is great and I love how you get to recite the same core content through all methods of communication (reading, writing, listening and speaking). I am already competitive on the leader-boards and I cannot wait to be able to use what I have learnt so far with my French pen-pal!

So far I love it! I have tried rosetta stone, pimsleur, living languages etc. the rocket languages program is the best by far. I love that it has listening to native speakers and also writing and lots of quizzes.