Rosetta Stone Version 3: Japanese Level 1, 2 & 3 Set with Audio Companion

Rosetta Stone Version 3: Japanese Level 1, 2 & 3 Set with Audio Companion | So far so good...

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Rosetta Stone Vers...

	Rosetta Stone Version 3: Japanese Level 1, 2 & 3 Set with Audio Companion Mac OS X, Windows \| Rosetta Stone, 2008 average customer review:based on 44 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Nice Product

I was very happy to get this product. I am Japanese American myself but am ashamed to say pretty much the only Japanese I know is being able to order from a menu, or else the more impolite words like "bakatare" (stupid) or "yakamashi" (loudmouth) or "monku" (complaining.. hence the "monkuboy" moniker, haha). While my friends went to Japanese school on Saturday mornings I resisted and my parents never forced me so I learned nothing. However, I bet everyone who went forgot how to speak or understand it anyway so we all wound up at the same place.

Regarding this program: The box is impressively heavy. It installed without a hitch using the accurate instructions, though it did take a fairly long time. The headset installed without a hitch also - I use Windows XP and it recognized the device right away and the first test with the software was successful. It is a rather flimsy headset so you have to treat it gently. Also, make sure you turn down the volume on your PC before using it because the voices are LOUD.

The lessons are pleasant to take and the sessions last about half an hour which seems about right to digest things. Even though most of it is intuitive as far as what to do (repeat the phrase, match something to a picture, etc.), there is a help screen present and the guidebook that comes with the set is also helpful.

I find Japanese is harder to learn than say Spanish or French because there's hardly any similarity to English (except when they borrow English words, like "juice" becomes "juisah")in the words or structure. I think the full immersion method is good because it forces you to use the language. I expect to have a basic knowledge after I finish with everything and to be able to converse on a very elementary level.

However, no matter what method you use, it has to be practiced frequently, with a native speaker. Just like my friends who went to J-School back then, if you don't use it you lose it. At least my parents speak some Japanese and I know a few other people who do so I can bludgeon them with my efforts but for those who don't have someone to practice with, it makes it difficult.

I know someone who has the Korean version of this and he likes it very much (and he has a Korean wife so he gets a lot of free help!).

Overall, I rate this as a very good package for those who want to learn the language. The lessons are clear and understandable, and flow from one to the other in a sensible and logical way. I would certainly recommend it.

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So far so good...

I didn't have immediate expectations of being fluent or even conversant in Japanese from using this program (that will be a much longer journey) - so I am rather pleased so far. I can understand many of the criticisms.

In the near future I will be doing a business trip to Japan - and I wanted to not be totally clueless as to the language. My limited expectations have been met!

The program installs easily, and activiation is simple for all 3 levels. I have a long journey ahead of me to make progress, but I think this is a very good first step as a learning tool.

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Rosetta Stone Japanese - Great Product, But Use With Other Tools

Rosetta Stone Version 3: Japanese Level 1, 2 & 3 Set with Audio Companion is a great program and is definitely speeding up my language learning. I have studied and used several languages for work, and Japanese has been on my list for a while. Like most tools this software should probably be used in combination with other tools. Learning the Kanji character alphabet will probably be the hardest with the included method. While it does help you with building a vocabulary, learning the intricacies of the various formal tenses is also something that may need to be augmented. Still, this is an excellent resource for the serious language learner who wants to learn a little bit at a time. The high cost may stop some people but overall it's probably worth it for those serious about learning Japanese.

The Product

The product that includes the 3 levels is definitely a better value than the single level products, which won't provide enough content to allow even basic speaking ability. Included you will find:
1) Nice quality printed manuals
2) Software CDs for all 3 levels, beginner, intermediate and advanced
3) Audio companion CDs for all 3 levels, also a huge extra and well worth the extra $50
4) A basic computer headset with headphones and a microphone

Overall, the box seems somewhat small. But once you see all that's included within it, you will understand where your money went. There's a lot of content packed on those disks, which is what you pay for.

The Method

The full immersion method forces you to avoid the traditional translation of other learning methods. The good thing is that it helps you to quickly gain the basics in terms of vocabulary and comprehension. The challenge is of course that you must work much harder to learn grammar and written syntax. This version does allow you to see and learn some characters along with the lessons, but most serious learners will still want to augment this immersion method with some traditional study too.

The software allows you to focus on language areas. There is less emphasis on repetition within modules, but you can repeat them as desired if you prefer drills. The USB headset allows you to repeat phrases and improve your accuracy, which also facilitates learning. The structure is very good and the integrated visuals along with the audio will allow you to gain confidence quicker than other methods. Since many people learn visually and others learn by hearing, this method allows both groups to learn effectively.

You can also begin to learn to read basic Japanese characters by selecting that option. The program allows you to select traditional roman characters or Japanese. There are also exercises that test your comprehension by making selections onscreen.

The method may be overwhelming at first for some people, but is actually easier than traditional learning. The only qualms I have with it is that I personally do learn a little better with traditional grammar and repetition methods.

The Software

The software is very good, but not error free. I was somewhat surprised by how demanding it was. I did experience a few errors that required me to restart the program, as well as some general slowness moving between sections. I recently upgraded the RAM on my computer, and have had more responsiveness since then. However, you are limited to installing this on one machine as far as I could tell. So from that perspective, make sure you install it on a good one that you feel comfortable with.

The audio companions are perhaps more akin to traditional programs I am familiar with. These have been a great addition for me. I started out only using the software and have begun to augment with the CDs too.

The Alternatives

The Rosetta Stone Version 3: Japanese Level 1, 2 & 3 version doesn't include the audio companion, but as far as I'm concerned this version is well worth the small premium relative to that one. Similarly, you can buy each level individually but getting them together is a much better value.
Rosetta Stone Version 3: Japanese Level 1,
Rosetta Stone Version 3: Japanese Level 2,
Rosetta Stone Version 3: Japanese Level 3

Coming from somebody who is used to learning a language from a combination of Barron's programs and books, this program is a very welcome addition to my toolbox. I would still recommend using those other programs to augment your study though. Particularly, books on characters like Essential Kanji: 2,000 Basic Japanese Characters Systematically Arranged For Learning And Reference, Schaum's Outline of Japanese Grammar and Japanese Kanji Flashcards, Vol. 1 (Third Edition) are going to be very useful if you need to learn for more than just conversation.

Relatively speaking, I suppose the Pimsleur programs like Japanese III - 2nd Ed.: Learn to Speak and Understand Japanese with Pimsleur Language Programs (Pimsleur Language Program)would be considered comparable in price to these, though they are also more expensive if you buy each level individually. Relative to those, there is no comparison. This software approach wins hands down and is actually a better value.

Conclusion

This is a great language program and should do the trick if, like many people, you are not a fan of the traditional memorization method that is common in language learning. While the investment is significant, it's well worth if you're serious about learning Japanese.

Enjoy!

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Great for learning to speak

I've used Rosetta Stone for both German and Japanese. It's wonderful for learning to SPEAK a new language, but isn't great when it comes to learning to WRITE and READ new languages. Very easy to use, lessons broken up into segments which is good if you want to do a few minutes a day.

Innovative but Imperfect

The "Rosetta Stone" language programs use an immersion technique to
teach language, where all the lessons are done in the language you're
looking to learn. The idea is that it is how we all learn language in
the first place, so it's the most logical way to learn a second
language.

There are several styles of exercise in the Rosetta Stone program.
The simplest version presents a word in the new language, along with
several pictures, one of which matches. Sometimes the word is spoken,
sometimes written, and usually both. More complex variations will
present a number of phrases, which form a pattern, and ask the student
to complete the pattern on a fourth phrase.

For example, one exercise might give the student "The man is wearing
pants," "The man is wearing a hat," "The woman is wearing a hat," and
a picture of a woman wearing pants. The student then has to give back
the sentence, "The woman is wearing pants."

Again, there are different ways to do this. Sometimes, it's a
multiple-choice question, where the program will offer, "The woman/man
is wearing pants/a hat," and ask the user to select the appropriate
words to fill in the blank. Other times, the student must speak the
entire sentence into a microphone. (A USB headset/microphone is
provided.)

This voice recognition is the most disappointing part of the program
to me. Simply put, it's not nearly as good as a person. There have
been many times where I've said an incorrect answer - knowing I'd
messed it up as the words left my mouth - and had the program mark it
as correct, and vice versa. As the program always repeats the correct
answer back, once it thinks you've given it, you shouldn't get led too
far astray.

All in all, the Rosetta Stone software looks like an effective way to
learn the rudiments of a language. It excels at teaching and drilling
vocabulary, and in offering many excellent examples of correct
pronunciation. It falls short of its goals in being able to validate
the student's pronunciation, and in teaching subtle points of grammar.
For those, supplementing the program with conversation with a native
speaker, and a decent textbook will be invaluable.

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