Rosetta Stone (Version 3) is a multi-sensory, computer-based, foreign language program that uses dynamic immersion . The basic philosophy behind their technique is that the best, most efficient way to learn a language is the same way we learned our first language. Nobody ‘taught’ us English. When we were babies, our parents simply began speaking to us: “Do you want your bottle?” “Go to daddy.” “Stop pulling my hair.” etc. And within the context of what we were seeing and hearing, we absorbed, understood and began constructing sentences of our own.

Personally: Our family began using the Rosetta Stone Spanish program in 2008. Because of how the program is structured, my kids were literally speaking, and understanding, complete sentences within the first sixty seconds after setting it up. No, I’m not kidding.  After seeing how easy and engaging the program was to use that first year, I got a program for myself. A year and a half later (at the time I am writing this) I am speaking French. If I were dropped off in Paris I could make my way around. The individual lessons are short, interesting, and are highly motivating simply because you amaze yourself with the quick progress you make. It makes you want to keep going.

Age to start: If your students are proficient readers, or able to navigate a computer, then they are probably ready to get started (typically six, seven, or eight years old). My grade-school kids, middle-schoolers and high school students are all using the same program.

The high point of this program is its ability to listen to the user and grade pronunciation. It comes with a headset and a microphone and students sign in with a voice sample (counting to ten into the microphone) which uses voice recognition software. Your voice is the standard by which your pronunciation is graded. And this is key for us; my son has a pretty severe lisp, and it takes that into consideration.

Levels: The program is sold in levels, which are equivalent to ‘years’ or ‘credits’. Each level is designed to be (roughly) a nine month course. We have levels 1-5, so my kids will show five credits, or five years of foreign language, on their transcripts. Naturally, every school district and college differs, but level 5 would be considered, by most standards, equivalent to the first year of college.

Each level can be bought separately or grouped together in sets, which is decidedly cheaper. Level 1 is similar to what you would learn in a basic first-year high school course, basic sentence structure and general vocabulary. Level two builds on that. At the end of Level 2 I was able to understand a great many things (if spoken slowly) and I could pull up newspapers online and get the main idea of what was going on. Level 3 gets you conversational. Levels 4 and 5 take you deeper into the language. My philosophy changed a bit about what you might ‘need’ as I progressed through the program. Initially, I imagined most people would only need levels 1-3 because it that would take care of the two credit high school requirement plus get them conversational (looks great on a resume). But I am very thankful I got 1-5 as a set, because if I hadn’t, I’d have had to go back and buy them individually and they are considerably cheaper when grouped together.

What’s covered: Each level is broken into four units, and within the units there are four core lessons. After each core lesson the student goes deeper into the newly learned material with lessons on speaking, pronunciation, reading, grammar, vocabulary, and writing. It covers every aspect and foundation that makes language ‘a language’.  I think writing is the hardest component, but it’s my favorite, because when you are able to translate a picture into a sentence and then write that sentence out in the foreign language (and even spell everything right!)… at that point you know you’ve ‘got it’.

Timeframe: Rosetta Stone is a full-year curriculum. There is a suggested schedule in the box, but we never use it. My kids generally use their program two or three times a week, spending an hour and a half or so on it, and at that rate they seem to track a little ahead. Other families that I know will spend 15 to 20 minutes a day, five days a week.

Another highlight is that the homeschool version tracks up to ten separate students on two computers. It also grades and records every lesson. As a teacher it’s literally as easy as pushing a button to print out their report card.

Components: Besides the application and language CDs in the box, the program also comes with the headset and microphone, MP3 files, which can be loaded onto an ipod (or other devices) to audibly reinforce lessons students have learned, and a User’s Guide and Parent’s Guide ( where the suggested schedule can be found). There is also a CD that contains printable worksheets. My family does not love the worksheets. I think they’re redundant and not as user friendly as the actual program. However, many people adore the worksheets especially if they live in a state that requires papers to be turned in, or to use for extra hand-written practice.

Price: Depending on sales or promotions, each individual level goes for about $200 each. However, if you buy the levels bundled, years 1-3 or 1-5, it’s about half the price. They make definitely make it cost efficient to buy the whole enchilada. Or even half the enchilada. If your goal is to become conversational, you’ll at least want levels 1-3.

Things to keep in mind…
Do not purchase a used copy of Rosetta Stone. If the program has been registered on two computers (and hasn’t been uninstalled) it will not work for you.

When you purchase a Rosetta Stone program directly through the company (some resellers, too) they offer a six-month money back guarantee. You are able to use the program as much as you want, and any time within that six months if you decide that you aren’t happy with what you have, they will either swap out the language you bought for another one (for free) or allow you to send the entire thing back for a full money back return. That is an exceptional return policy. I’m guessing most people never use it, though.

You may purchase Rosetta Stone or find out more about their programs at:  www.rosettastone.com/homeschool