(no subject)

[barbarakelley.livejournal.com]

I've been tempted to splurge and buy the Rosetta Stone program for learning Russian. Does it work? Is it a good way to go?

But quite honestly, I can't afford it anyway. Does anyone have a copy they don't use that I could have/borrow?

Comments

[archaicos.livejournal.com]

IMHO it's overpriced piece of you know what. AFAIK, it won't teach you tenses and cases and many more things. Can be used as a tool to learn words and some pronunciation though, but for that you don't have to pay that much.

[barbarakelley.livejournal.com]

Sounds like I'm glad I didn't go into debt for it. I do have a series of CD's that I bought awhile back... my experience with that is that I listen and repeat and promptly forget--but maybe if I keep at it...

[archaicos.livejournal.com]

Several things to understand and bear in mind when learning a foreign language:
1. Your interest and motivation are the first requirement and a key to success.
2. Regular studies are a must (at least an hour every day). It's the long disruptions that make you forget things.
3.a. There's no single magic method or product that will make you speak the language in a few weeks or months. It usually takes 1 to 2 years to get to some intermediate level.
3.b. You have to mix different activities: learning the grammar, reading a lot, listening a lot (CDs, radio, TV), learning the vocabulary, doing exercises to understand and memorize the material being learned, conversing with other people (live (if possible) or over the internet (forums, IMs, Skype, etc)). If you tired of one activity, don't stop, switch to another one.

In Russian I see a few problematic areas that you will need to work on a lot to master:
1. cases, which have a very broad impact on words (nouns, pronouns, adjectives)
2. perfective and imperfective verbs, verbs of motion, verb prefixes that change verbs' meaning
3. accentuation (it's even more random than in English, virtually never indicated in written text, the accents move as the words change their forms due to the cases)

You will need to learn the grammar and read and listen a lot to get the above right or at least almost right. As usual, the more practice, the better.

[david-us.livejournal.com]

Rosetta Stone expects the student to learn Russian grammar by exposure. The problem with that method is that it can be very frustrating. The student doesn't have a clear understanding why "book" is sometimes книга, sometimes it's книге, sometimes it's книгой, sometimes it's книгу, and they totally freak when they see книг or книгами.

A little more formalized instruction, in my opinion, is a necessary ingredient to learning Russian since the grammar is so radically different for the English speaking (and most other languages) student.

For instance, the student learns the word for "book" - книга.

And then he is exposed to a sentence like, "Я прочитал хорошую книгу." The student's first thought is, "Where did that come from?" Maybe he comes to the realization that the word changes because how it is used in a sentence - maybe not. It would be helpful if it wasn't a surprise. That way he would understand other sentences like, "Она любит свою маленкую, черную собаку."

David Emerling
Memphis, TN

[barbarakelley.livejournal.com]

That seems to be the concensus--that it isn't all that helpful. I'll just have to stop wishing for an easier way!

[wondershot.livejournal.com]

I would use it in conjunction with other methods, like learning grammar from a textbook, speaking with native speakers and memorizing song lyrics. The greater the variety of your exposure, the better.

Really what you need most to learn a language is motivation, in whatever form.

[barbarakelley.livejournal.com]

and sadly that seems to be what is lacking--that stick-to-it-iveness is what I need most!

[cabarethaze.livejournal.com]

I just looked at the site - I really don't think it's worth it. Even the last level (the total for 3 levels is like $600?!) is not that advanced :x I would recommend investing in a good dictionary, grammar reference, etc ... and that can be found on the cheap if you don't mind getting an older copy, etc.

I learned Russian at 16 when I moved to Russia from the US. My grandma gifted me with about $50 of dictionary/grammar books and it was the best thing. Immersion is GREAT - but you can also gain a lot from listening to TV/radio in Russian over the internet, of course along with studying. Maybe get a friend who'd like to practice English and can help you with Russian ? :)

[barbarakelley.livejournal.com]

I do have a dictionary and I think grammar book... I'll have to dig those out and get started, instead of wishing for something to make it easier!

[cabarethaze.livejournal.com]

Exactly :) Save the money for when you're a bit farther along and want to splurge on specialized dictionaries or books of slang, or a phone card to practice with someone. Good luck!

Oh and definitely check out your library! Ours at least has a whole section of books in Russian, CD and book sets to learn Russian, etc.