Rocket Languages Reviews

Taking the sign language course next to someone who is fluent in ASL and am being told that some of the syntax and even signs in the early modules are just incorrect. Disappointing that I have to have her check your work.

Rocket misses the mark in many ways. Teaching phrases without a literal translation is not helpful. Ideally, one should know what each word in the sentence is, so that one can then compose one's own sentences. Additionally, the speakers speak very quickly and one can't really tell how they are pronouncing the words in spite of having them spelled out in cyrillic. Also when teaching color names, why aren't' there colors on the screen, or at least on the flash cards? And when there are nouns, why not a picture of the object? I've been learning languages for many years, and I like some of Rocket Language's features, but I have to say that Pimsleur, does a much better job of teaching one to actually speak and understand the language, and they give literal translations and help one understand the context and syntax of words. But Pimsleur only teaches the audio, and they are way too expensive to only do that. Rocket Languages does offer voice comparison, but I have my doubts as to how good it really is at telling me how close I am to correct pronunciation. Rocket Languages is okay, but not the greatest. However, it is affordable. But, their customer service isn't very good.

Read More

I Have Been Enjoying My German Learning Through Rocket German. I Like That Each Lesson Explains What You Are Learning And There Are Opportunities To Review Everything I Have Learnt Looking Forward To Doing More And More Lessons.

I was very happy with the program until the new format. The functionality when using an iPad has significantly deteriorated. In particular, I am unhappy with now being unable to replay pronunciation in order to compare with the speaker. My voice recordings are frequently cut off in mid-phrase. Basically, the program is no longer user friendly for people owning iPads. I no longer will recommend this program to my friends. In fact I am traveling to Europe this summer with some friends and I have told them to find another program. We are going to brush up on different languages prior to traveling.

I learn the most commonly used words so I learn faster. It repeats the words and connects them in context to different daily situations. Makes it easier to remember with daily practice. Plus I get a Spanish survival kit loaded with the most essential vocabulary. Great value!

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.
4.

Read More

I've just started my second lesson so it seems premature to give a survey but I would like to continue with the lessons so I am doing this survey. So far so good

I like the interaction in the 'Play it' section but there are problems;

1. The programme frequently states that it has not heard my reply - despite that when I press playback my reply is very clearly there - this is very frustrating and time consuming.

2. The programme makes no allowance for a beginner taking time making a reply which inevitably takes a lot longer than a fluent speaker would take - this again is very frustrating and prevents making best use of the programme.

I can't give a good review as I just started and already I keep getting nag screens insisting I write a review. This is after buying the entire lifetime package. Since there is no way to "don't ask again" or "wait until later" I have to say this just to stop it.

Although I am making progress learning Spanish, the app has several bugs that have certainly affected my pace of learning. Missing translations/text are not uncommon. Sometimes it takes deleting and reinstalling the app to get it working. On some lessons it simply will not work no matter what action you take. Customer support has not been able to resolve the matter and I have decided that you get what you pay for. With the regular discounts offered as well as the supposed one-time price cut to entice you to buy all 3 level at the onset, I found the course fairly inexpensive. If the bugs ever get worked out, I would then consider this one of the best language courses available.