Rosetta Stone Version 3 Spanish (Latin America) Level 1, 2 & 3 Set with Audio Companion

Good Product - BAD Support!!

I purchased my Rosetta Stone Spanish product in April 2008. The product is fine - slowly but surely I'm learning the language. In August 2008 my computer crashed and I replaced it but when I went to load the software I got a message saying it was already activated and needed to contact customer service. I've tried phone calls and emails and it's now two weeks later and it still hasn't been done. I've provided a copy of my credit card statement, a copy of the box with the product code, and a copy of the Activation ID page that came with the product...but I can't find a receipt. They appear not to believe I'm the owner of the product, although I did register it the day I bought it. Days go by between contacts. All in all, I'll never buy another Rosetta Stone product.

34 out of 34 people found this review helpful.

Not worth the trouble

Rosetta Stone is a good language learning product. Despite that, it's more trouble than it's worth. The program has an automatic update feature. This feature destroyed the program's ability to work on my computer.

The program worked fine for the first couple of months, and then, after one of the automatic updates, it no longer worked. When I contacted Rosetta Stone customer support about this problem, they told me there was nothing they could do. I needed to buy a new operating system, as the updated version can't run on my OS. I couldn't believe what they were telling me and challenged them on that. They insisted and told me there was no reason to contact them again, since they refused to do anything to remedy the problem! I should upgrade my computer's operating system at a cost of hundreds of dollars (and the potential to disrupt other programs)!!!

There is a solution. I have to uninstall the software and reinstall it, but they didn't even suggest that. The problem with this "solution" is that I will lose all of my prior work.

There are plenty of other ways to learn a language. While Rosetta Stone has an interesting approach, they're not worth the trouble!

22 out of 22 people found this review helpful.

Do NOT buy this produduct!

The data CD cannot be installed to hard disk and cannot be backed up. You must run off CD. Customer support refuses to respond to questions regarding CD replacement policy in case of damage. RMAs are provided only with activation codes - which are not contained in the product and not needed due to copy protection. Email for customer suppport is provided only to Institutions - end users are taken to the FAQ only when trying to email support for help.

Product itself rates a B+. Customer support rates an F.

17 out of 18 people found this review helpful.

Fun way to learn but sometimes confusing.

Have only begun using the program about four weeks ago and have enjoyed it so far. It's been awhile since high school Spanish, but I probably have learned more in a month than the whole time in school. There are however a couple of draw backs. For one, no English is spoken therefore leaving you to guess what is being said. Have purchased "Spanish for Dummies" to help with this issue. Second, I wish there is an explanation for the little nuisance of the language. But don't let those two things sway you from buying the program. One of the things I would have liked added to this program is an overview of the pronunciation of the alphabet. It would give you a better idea of how a word is suppose to sound. Have found the audio companion to be quite useful as a review when not at the computer. With it loaded onto my iPod I can listen and practice whenever it suits me.

As for the other problems mentioned, updating and not being able to load onto the hard drive, I haven't found that to be true so far. All three disks have been loaded to mine and my husband's computer and do not have to have the disk in the drive in order for it to work.

9 out of 9 people found this review helpful.

Seems effective as long as you have Google language and a decent book as well

Languages are difficult for me to learn, and I have tried previously to learn Spanish on my own as an adult - both with software, and books. I have had more luck with Rosetta Stone than any of the other methods. That said, I still find it necessary to supplement Rosetta Stone with a good Spanish book, and I have Google language tools open at the same time. Rosetta Stone may say that their method is the natural method of learning language, but let's face it - you don't get great grammar skills without some good honest grammar study - which Rosetta Stone does not really provide. I do love the Audio Companion CDs - they have been very helpful.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Wonderful software-highly recommend it!

Best way to learn a language on an individual basis from beginner to expert. The only issue I've had is that microphone feedback is not perfect, (the software does not seem to recognize consistently) but I have learned Spanish in leaps and bounds. Love the program.

3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Great way to learn a new language!

I have never been good at learning languages, but really wanted to learn Spanish. I gave Rosetta Stone a try and have been super impressed. It has made learning a new language fun and easy. It covers all aspects from speaking, to reading, and writing. My bilingual friend is amazed at how good my pronunciation is and how fast I am learning. I would definitely recommend this product for anyone wanting to learn a new language in the comfort of their own home.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

WELL WORTH THE MONEY

This program is smart and well made. The pictures are beautiful. My children are learning at their level and I at mine. I recommend this to anyone who is serious about learning Spanish. (Oh, and by the way, the people at BN were really great with all my questions.)

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Learning a new language..

I have wanted to learn Spanish for some time now but I never had the time to go to a class to start learning.. This Rosetta Stone program is perfect for me because it lets me decide my own schedule and learn at a pace that fits my life. It is also really easy to install, easy to use, really versatile and it really encourages me to learn more.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

An interesting approach to learn a language or a good attempt to just tweaking your ability to become bilingual.

If you have tried the conventional way of classroom learning toward learning a language it just would not hurt to try learning a language through Rosetta Stone. I found the software to be very refreshing to what I already do know.
Although I found it does take much more know how, either way, to learn a foreign language. I hope Rosetta Stone adds more levels or offers more software to learning the language of our interests. In other words, send more levels, por favor!

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