Rosetta Stone Russian Reviews
Level 1 (40 Reviews)
The Complete russian set will enable you to fully express your ideas and opinions in russian and master the conversational skills required to plan adventures, care for your health, and move abroad.
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Russian Level 1
39
40
Kazakh language, thought it would be hard!
This system that Rosetta Stone has turned me into a believer! I failed Spanish class back when I was in High School, but after using the techniques provided I was learning the basics in no time! Now that I live here it has helped me tremendously. Thank you!
May 27, 2013
Ok
I think that it is a great program to learn how to pronounces words, since sometimes some letters are pronounced differently or not at all. You never learn why this is or when is it applied here or there.
Learning the vocabulary is great but after a short bit it throws you into sentence constructing and you have no idea how to conjugate the nouns. Then you dont know what is really being conveyed in the picture. I had to read up online which verbs go to what; and also had to a least have an understand of the noun cases.
I think it would be great if you have some prior knowledge in russian grammar and used it for pronouncition and vocab.
February 14, 2012
Effective, Effective, Effective!!!
So effective! One phrase explanation right there. I feel like,"Okay, I may be able to get the hang of this," at the first unit and then "boom!" I get to the review, go over the core lesson again and waddaya know, I got my colors down or my months down, etc. LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!!! I wouldn't learn any other way, and it makes me look forward to come home from school and get right on. I'm in middle school and stress is not in low numbers, but even still, the language seems to flow through you in a way that's indescribable. BUY THIS PRODUCT!! I'd also recommend taking the whole deal and purchase levels 1-3 or 1-5 because believe me, its worth it!
October 10, 2011
I enjoy the learning style, it is fun and interactive. I had already learned the alphabet before getting and starting this software, which has helped a lot; I think it would have been much more challenging to start the software without this knowledge, especially because it isn't taught. Another challenge with this software is knowing what a word means. I can associate it with the picture, but I am left to guess the meaning. Most of the time it is obvious, but others I have a hard time knowing what I am saying.
April 11, 2011
Great Way to Learn a Language
Rosetta Stone provides an easy and natural way to associate words and phrases. I also like the way the courses alternate between definition, enunciations, speaking, grammar, and so on. It is a well-rounded and dynamic approach to learning!
April 9, 2011
Worth the Investment
I bought Rosetta Stone Russian Level 1. Years of high school classes and studying and I still can't remember any of Spanish, even though it's a much easier language. Rosetta Stone had me speaking Russian the first day and is always increasing my knowledge and skill. It is definitely worth the money.
April 8, 2011
We are convinced!
My sixteen year old son has always had an interest in learning languages (his goal is to learn all of the languages of the UN...) and he wanted to try the Rosetta Stone product. He used his own money to buy it; he wanted Level 2 but due to the cost and no direct experience with the product, I convinced him to go with Level 1 and that I would pay the difference to buy him Level 2 if he was satisfied with what he learned with Level 1.
Wow!!! What a clever way to teach a language - visual, audio and pictorial all combined. He has spent hours working with it. I have a feeling that I will be paying the difference for Level 2 very soon and it will be money well spent!
April 7, 2011
our family loves rosetta stone
"Mom, can I do Rosetta?" my boys ages 3, 5 and 7 often ask. We set aside Sunday mornings to each take a turn learning Russian but most weeks, they practice at the computer on Rosetta Stone 3-4 times a week. We have all made progress and the learning is easy and fun. I have recommended it to friends and family, and they have to classmates as well!
April 7, 2011
it was very helpful. i feel like i can now speak basic russian.
April 7, 2011
Quick!
I have been using Rosetta Stone for only 3 days now and I have learned about as much as I usually do in a semester of my high school French. It doesn't feel like work, its really simple and FUN!
Previously I tried my parents old textbooks from the 80's, "Learn Russian Fast" type books, and even tried my grandmother who criticized my pronunciation as "absolutely wrong". I was thinking of taking a high school course at Yale but Rosetta stone was almost $100 less. I decided to give RS a try and I'm so glad I did!
My goals for Russian are to understand the sermon at my Russian Orthodox church, be able to talk to the workers at the local Russian Market ad find my around St. Petersburg this summer! I can tell I am well on my way and I'm so excited!
December 30, 2010
Good to an Extent
I recieved my Rosetta Stone for Christmas and I have to say I do like it! I think it is good for the basics, but of course no computer program can make you fluent. I would like to have an option for translation, especially for large sentence, because I can only make out so much from the pictures. Overall, I am pleased!
December 26, 2010
An interesting approach
I have dabbled in some other language courses but this is my first time with Rosetta. It is completely different from all the others. Most of the others start with phrases for travelers. You can repeat those phrases but in a language like Russian where word endings change based on context, it is not easy to use those phrases to create your own sentences. Rosetta starts with words - nouns and verbs - and builds on that. Something like how we learn our first language. There are no translations - everything is done from pictures. Again, something like how we originally learn to speak. But it is not afraid to tackle the tough issues - like word endings - but it doesn't use grammar lessons, just examples. It has kept me completely interested. Since I am a beginner in Russian, time will tell if I really learn it but I am certainly seeing the language differently. And, almost accidentally, I am learning that tricky Cyrillic alphabet. If you are serious about a language, I recommend you try Rosetta - you will be amazed. I only bought Level 1 to try it out but now wish I had gone all the way and bought all the levels.
November 8, 2010
Not to Shabby
Overall I have learned a great deal of Russian in the short time I have been using the program. Most of my feedback is positive, but like any program there are inherent flaws. For me, my biggest complaint is the sections teaching grammar. It may just be me, but I have trouble understanding sometimes what it is the program is trying to convey to me about grammar, such as endings to words in different situations. That is really my only complaint. The rest of the program is extremely user friendly and it makes learning the language fun. I hope to been ordering my next level soon!
April 7, 2010
Exceeded expectations
Learning languages has always been an interest of mine. There have been many methods I have tried and many losses along the way. I came to the conclusion that short of living in or having daily contact with a language there isn't a chance of success at picking it up and gaining a workable understanding. As the end goal of learning a language is a workable understanding and usability.
Prior to Rosetta Stone I failed on all attempts at picking up a new language. I lacked the resources necessary to learn (friends, colleagues, time spent around first language speakers). As a last hu-rah before trying college courses I purchased Rosetta Stone and gave it a shot. At first I was impressed by it's simplicity, further into studies I became aware of a few flaws, notably the lack of explanation. RS is build on the idea of simplicity and practical, user influenced materials. When ideas of greater grammatical complexity were introduced I found myself reaching for the guidebook to what I was studying. Sadly, there is no guidebook that I am aware of.
This was the only turn down to the program from my own view. I would like to have a guide, a brief explanation when new ideas are introduced. Luckily, there are trans-language dictionaries and numerous language guides and even penpal services available to the student on the web.
By far, this is the best language program I have used. It is simple. It is effective. Where before I had only loss, I have had success with Rosetta Stone. With success, my confidence in ability to learn another language increases. Before RS, I thought it an impossibility to learn to read, speak and understand another language; Now it is up to me and the time/effort I am willing to put into it.
April 7, 2010
Rosetta Stone is great! I've learned quite a bit already and I've had fun doing it. Rosetta Stone takes the hard work out of learning a new language.
April 7, 2010
solid way to learn
I have a very difficult time learning languages in general. My Fiance is Russian and i wanted to learn some basics in order to communicate with older relatives. I was surprised how fast i was able to pick up many basic words and phrases. Thank you
April 7, 2010
You WILL see results!
Great product! I am learning a new Language quickly and easily at my own pace. Its incredible how much i learned in just one session with Rosetta Stone. I recommend this to anyone who wants to learn a new language at their own pace. I love it!! I WILL buy more.
April 7, 2010
Loved it!!
I purchased the Russian level 1 in preparation for an up coming trip to Moscow this summer. It works so great! The lessons go by so quick and easy, and the emersion into the language makes it so much easier to pick up and remember. I love learning a language this way. Definitely not boring or frustrating! I'd recommend this to anyone who's serious about learning another language.
April 7, 2010
Russian I
I'm working on developing my skill with Russian in a classroom and with Rosetta Stone, but Rosetta Stone's software is what's helping the most. It's a great product that really works.
April 7, 2010
Example: not best purchase ever
It works well, and I'll probably buy the next version, but it could be so much better. Here is what you should fix:
1) The program crashes sometimes (and often loses the sound completely when you click on the diagnostic button in the speaking section). There are other glitches from time to time, but pretty surprising considering how expensive the product is. Spend a little more money on R&D (even though you're a publicly quoted company now).
2) The writing section, for Russian, is nearly impossible. There needs to be a button that just tells you what the next letter is without you having to try every single one using trial and error. It takes so long to do it that way (and doesn't really help the learning process), that I have just gotten to the point where I skip it all together.
3) There needs to be a section that you can print out for reading. Maybe a paragraph or two practice your reading. One of the reasons the writing section is so difficult is that you never have time to even look at the words for long enough to memorize them properly.
4) After you've completed a page, there should be a button that lets you advance to the next section. Sometimes a new word or phrase will flash up for 1 second and then disappear as you go to the next page without even having time to read and understand it.
5) Sometimes (at least in Russian), there are grammar questions that you have no way of knowing the answer, since you've never seen it before. It's a bit frustrating to get a grammar question asking you if the answer is x or y, without you ever having seen it. If you get it right it means you guessed correctly, which is pretty useless. Then it disappears before you have a chance to even understand what you've done.
6) Russian grammar is complicated. I bought a separate grammar book so that I can understand why things are written one way or another, but if you try to do it just on your own with Rosetta Stone you'll be totally lost.
April 7, 2010
Great language teacher
Before moving to Kazakhstan I purchased a cheaper Russian language program that used word for word conversions to teach, but the unique system that Rosetta Stone uses avoids this limited approach. By using pictures, words and examples it allows for different learning styles, as well as steering the user to a more learn-by-immersion approach. This helps the lessons stick in your mind, as well as give you more confidence in practicing what you have learned when you are out and about. The voice recorder is a great tool, and helps pronunciations as well as allowing you to hear your own words back.
April 6, 2010
"You're getting too good..."
I had just started studying Russian with RS and was getting very well at what I was learning. I had been studying all winter and spring and summer came when my friends from Russia and many other Russian speaking countries would come back to work in Williamsburg,VA. I returned to the village to greet them and spoke to them so well that my friend Elena said "oh wow Kandi, you're getting too good. I need to watch what I say around you." I hadn't been so happy in a long time. Its great hearing a compliment like that from a teacher but to hear it from a national? It's a dream come true.
November 28, 2009
A Helpful Tool
Although I found understanding grammer difficult due to no explanations I did enjoy the ever increasing Vocabulary. I feel I have a more accurate pronunciation to. Overall a good product.
July 22, 2009
Great Product
Rosetta Stone is a great product. I always wanted to learn a new language. I choose Russian due to my interest in Tolstoy and I have friends who speak it fluently. Rosetta Stone has made learning to speak, write and read Russian easier then I ever thought possible on my own. Threw natural scenarios and pictures you learn to understand the language as it is your first language. I highly recommend any Rosetta Stone product to those who are interesting in learn a new language.
July 16, 2009
Russian 1
Unfortunately, in my area, there does not seem to be any courses availible at the immediate colleges for Russian, coupled with the fact that a 9-5 work day makes attending classes difficult.
First trip to Ukraine,before any study,I was completely lost,communication was not happening. 2nd trip, after 2 months study time,w/stone,still a long way to go, but able to get around, shop, and at least explain my situation. I'm sure many people would be able to get more from this in the same amount of time, as work load limits my study time. 3rd trip coming up, expecting good results. Any skeptics, please note, this program will take time, may be frustrating at times, but I feel if the hours are put in,no question about it, you will learn the language. The accuracy is on. Anyone wishing to get around in the Russian areas is foolish not to use Stone,
July 9, 2009
Not bad from a language teacher's POV
I am a teacher of both English and Spanish languages at an elementary school. After going through the program and understanding how it works, I can honestly say it is a viable and effective program. A bit pricey, but it was worth my time and money.
April 23, 2009
Best Purchase Ever.
This is the best program to use to learn a new language. The method really works!
March 30, 2009
It really was that easy to learn.
It's awesome, it takes a lot of the stress of learning off your shoulders and allows you to work at your own pace. You can also go back to refresh parts of the language that your having problems with. Also ill always have my Rosetta Stone program so I can do the entire program again instead of having to remember all that I learned like in a traditional classroom.
March 24, 2009
Intro to immersion
Russian level 1 is a great program for kicking off your learning experience. I've bought books for learning Russian and the pages upon pages of grammar rules just doesn't stick. It's not memorable. However, the technique that Rosetta Stone uses to recreate the way one learns their first language imprints the language in the mind. When you're a child you don't look at a dog and think, "That's a dog." Someone teaches you that this furry animal is in fact a dog. Rosetta Stone is that person who teaches you that it's a dog, or in Russian a sabaka. The words you are learning may seem unimportant for regular use, but when immersion in the language begins, you hear these words and you think, "Oh I know this word, it means yellow." The effort put into the product pays for itself.
March 12, 2009
Very Effective
I find Rosetta Stone very easy and rewarding to use. The first few lessons are relatively easy and I feel they build your confidence quickly. I regret that there isn't an option to translate some of the more difficult vocabulary, but with dynamic immersion it just takes a little longer to figure out what they mean.
March 12, 2009
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