Consistency is key

Okay, unit 3 was not so bad.  However, I have found that I have to be consistent.  I do not yet have anybody to practice with, except my own children who are learning with me.  Vocabulary is not so bad but the grammar is a little tricky for me.  RosettaStone doesn't translate for you, so you have to assume what they are talking about, which is a little tricky because it starts out with simple phrases like "la mujer come", which I am assuming literally means woman eat.  That was pretty easy to figure out.

When I got further into the lessons, though, I was introduced to words like "tiene."  Now, I know I could use google to get a translation for anything I want, but what would be the fun in that.  I am trying to learn the system the way it is set up because I think it can work, and I paid for it.  If I work on my Spanish every day, I am confident that I can go to Mexico and speak like a native.

They say it is easier for children to learn a language

I have to say I believe it.  And the younger the better.  While I am struggling to get this software to recognize what I am saying as Spanish, my four year old daughter has no problem.  The closest she has come to hearing native Spanish speakers talk is Dora the Explorer.  However, she has no problem getting RosettaStone to think she is Latina.

Its taking her longer to get through the lessons but pronunciation is not her problem.  We have to do each lesson a couple of times but I believe it will be worth it if she can learn Spanish.  Maybe then she can teach me.

Why I Decided to Buy Rosetta Stone

Rosetta Stone is expensive.  The five levels of Spanish Latin America cost hundreds of dollars.  So why would anyone spend that much money when there has to be a cheaper way to learn a language?

I can't speak for everybody, but I bought it because I don't know of a less expensive way that I can learn a foreign language in the privacy of my home.  Rosetta Stone is a trusted company and online reviews are mostly favorable.  I was also able to set up my children with their own login so they can also learn Spanish at their own pace.

I am currently on level one, unit three, lesson one.  I took one year of Spanish in high school so I know some of the basics.  Well, I can count to twelve and say hi and bye.  High school was over 20 years ago.

All of the lessons before unit three were really easy for me.  There is a lot of repetition.  You don't get a list of vocabulary words to study.  Instead, Rosetta Stone shows you pictures of the words.  There is no translation, just a picture.  You learn how to speak the new language like babies learn, by hearing things identified.  The software has many multiple choice questions, where they say a word or phrase and you pick the correct picture.  You also get a chance to speak the words.  The program will let you keep trying until you get it right.  I've had to try a few of the words more than a few times.  Rosetta Stone does not get angry with me, it just lets me try again.

Unit 3 is proving to be more of a challenge for me.  I'll let you know how it goes.