People should try the software before bashing it by: JAKSPRATT
This software takes time if you wish to learn to speak, write, and read a new language. If you want to speak a couple phrases buy a 10 dollar book, not a comprehensive software that is going to take some commitment.
Not What it is cracked up to be by: Anonymous
Very disappointed in Rosetta Stone for Chinese. Without any explanations, and just pictures it is very difficult to understand what the words really mean. And when you see the same word in a different context, but with a completely different meaning it becomes very confusing. I also used Pimsulers approach which helped me understand the Rosetta Stone better. The real help was having a Chinese girlfriend who could help me understand the thought patterns of the Chinese language. Also I would recommend the Chinese Pod course. I have been to Shanghai and talked to the people that operate it. I think they have a much better approach to teaching the language to western people.
I disagree a little by: Ron
I'm sorry Rosetta Stone was a disappointment for you. I'd like to point out that it needn't be an 'expensive' one as they offer a 100% guarantee, so contact them for a refund.
I have to disagree with you a little bit about the content of Rosetta Stone. Your description of how you learn is fairly accurate, but it doesn't sound like you went all the way through the program, or that you fully took advantage of its features.
You do learn verbs and tenses, but rather than studying 'amo,amas,amat...' you absorb tenses by seeing and hearing them used in context and infer the rules (much like some other language learning methods).
It sounds to me like a 'learning style' problem. The style Rosetta Stone uses to teach is just not suited to you, and you are right for looking elsewhere for a better method for you, but I still think it could help you if you use it as a complement to another method. If you still have it, then try using all of its features to focus on your weak points.
I recommend to anyone who is interested in Rosetta Stone to try the demo first! If you don't like it, you can always try something else.
