Rosetta Stone Russian Reviews
Level 1, 2 & 3 Set (87 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, 2 & 3
87
87
Great product, but just a few notes...
I have found the Russian Rosetta Stone to be a great resource. It is pleasant and easy to use, and I find my knowledge and understanding of the language growing by the day. The one thing I would suggest for people who are new to Russian (and case-based languages in general) is to be aware of the following things that may make learning Russian just a tad more challenging for new language learners:
1. Russian uses a different (very beautiful) alphabet that may be a little difficult to assimilate at first. Taking 5 minutes to find a list of the alphabet and pronunciation online might help ease the transition.
2. Russian is a case-based language, which means the endings of the words change according to function. For example, in English we say "HE went to the store. I saw HIM there." HE and HIM are the same basic word (as in they mean roughly the same thing and refer to the same person), but we change the ending according to function (subject vs. direct object here). You do NOT need to know a ton of grammar to do this Rosetta course - just be aware that when the ends of words change it's for a reason and you're not going crazy. If you're so inclined, I would suggest looking up a chart of endings (what we call a declensions chart), but it's really not necessary.
As I said, this course is a great resource: it's easy to use, the pictures are wonderful, the spoken Russian is from native speakers, and the other activities (such as games and forums) offer a wide variety for people who want hands-on practice. I highly recommend it!
December 1, 2012
Great purchase!
I am very satisfied with the Rosetta Stone method. It is great to study a very difficult language, like Russian, since you can be practically immersed in it (if you so choose) for hours, at your computer and with your iPod, listening to the lessons you have already learned and repeating the words and phrases. For me, I have realized that new words I have learned from the Rosetta lessons stick to my mind much better and more easily than the new words I try to learn from a book.
One thing I would recommend is also to have a Grammar book to be able to learn the rules of the language, especially for a language like Russian, with declinations and conjugations.
November 28, 2012
Worked Perfectly For Me
Rosetta Stone worked just beautifully for me and really surpassed all of my expectations. I had been nervous going in that I wouldn't be able to keep up with it, (I had zero previous experience in Russian), but it really let me go at my own speed, which ended up being very fast, once I got the hang of it!
By level 2, I was actually having and understanding conversations with native speakers! After completing level 3, the results were even better.
The system was fun and kept me engaged the whole time, because I retained what I learned and looking forward to learning something new every day.
Rosetta Stone definitely gave me a great base of knowledge to build on and I couldn't be happier with my results.
June 21, 2012
Very Good, Supplemental Learning Necessary
The Rosetta Stone Russian course is excellent. Within a few days I was using simple words and sentences with confidence. Their learning technology is profound, using images and repetition in a fun and productive manner that really works.
This said, if you truly want to learn the language, it is necessary to learn the alphabet. There is no such tutorial in the course, why not, I do not understand. Recognising a word and matching it to an image is great, but being able to read the word is better.
Also, a dictionary is exceedingly helpful. I look up a word when its meaning is not immediately obvious from the image. This also helps you understand and memorise the alphabet.
A verb book, whilst not immediately necessary helps satisfy the curiousity surrounding the new verb just introduced in the lesson. At Level 1, Lesson 3 I am finding myself reaching for my print off of the alphabet (from the Internet), the dictionary and verb book.
Overall an excellent purchase. Do yourself a favour and take some of the advice above.
April 2, 2012
Excellent Investment
The Program is amazing, instantly from the time you start , you learn and pick things up so easily, and want to keep learning more and more , I have a few Russian friends , that are very impressed at how quickly i picked it up and agreed it is an Amazing program and Excellent Investment
November 11, 2011
Good product, takes commitment
I really like the product and think it will eventually help me speak Russian better. It definitely takes time and dedication though. The adds imply it will be so easy, and while it is fun, it still takes a lot of time. Ive found I can move through the lessons fairly quickly, but still don't feel like I have a solid grasp of the language. I am hoping if I keep moving forward , the foundational stuff will sink in. Overall, I think it is a good product.
April 11, 2011
I was stunned
I am really stunned at the progress I've made in Russian 1,2, & 3. I think initially everyone experiences the sticker shock of how much the program costs, but after seeing how in depth, thorough, and intuitive Totale was, I saw that the program was actually incredibly cheap. Thank you Rosetta Stone!
April 8, 2011
Great tool for learning Russian!
I studied Russian while in college, but that was over 16 years ago. I bought Rosetta Stone to help bring me back up to date and I am understanding far more now than I did then. What a great way to learn a language!
April 7, 2011
Grammar can be puzzling!
I studied Russian in high school and college, many years ago. Looking back at my old textbooks, I am amazed at the arcane and complicated stuff we were expected to memorize. It didn't seem very useful. I have always retained my interest in the language, and have several friends and students with whom I could speak, so I bit the bullet and tried Rosetta Stone.
It is so practical and lots of fun. I look forward to my sessions, I find I remember more than I realize from past studies, and the Studio sessions with the native speaker are awesome, (although one feels mildly panicky during them).
My one problem with the program has to do with the grammar. Russian grammar, with it's case system and declensions, the perfective vs. imperfective verb structure, and those crazy verbs of coming and going...
If I didn't have some basic understanding of Russian grammar and a good textbook and dictionary, at times I would not understand it at all. I think it would be frustrating and puzzling for most people. English speakers have very little understanding of direct and indirect objects, instrumental constructions, prepositional phrases, and so forth. These play a huge part in Russian grammar. I find I need to write everything down as I learn it, so I can review it later, with the grammar text. Then I understand it, and find I can make up my own sentences with more confidence.
That said, I like everything else about this program, and plan to order Level 3. I, like others, would be interested in seeing Rosetta Stone expand to Levels 4 and 5. There is a threshold that one must cross in learning a foreign language, to feel functional (as opposed to fluent) in it. I'm interested to see where Level 3 takes me. Thanks Rosetta Stone!
January 30, 2011
Strong start, finish not so much
I grew up with Russsian in my environment and had some knowledge of the language before i bought levels 1, 2 and 3 of Rosetta Stone.
At first, in level 1, I found the system fantastic. It filled in gaps in my vocabulary effortlessly, and the pictures were interesting and beautiful, and sometimes funny. The system worked really well to eliminate my internal translation in my head into English and got me thinking in Russian. The process was actually invigorating, and after each lesson my brain was almost tingling.
Level 2 was less interesting because the photgraphs were less interesting - more and more were just people sitting in a restaurant talking, or walking around talking, etc., which was quite different from the fun pictures of level 1. Level 3 was getting pretty boring by the time i finished.
I had thought that i would be near fluent at the end of Level 3, but that was not the case. I did have a fast working knowledge of a decent Russian vocabulary in my head, meaning that i was very conversant with the contents of a basic Russian phrase book.
It might be the fact that Russian has millions more words than languages like English or French, but sadly I still can't understand Russian radio or TV completely, or even to the degree where I detect individual words that I don't recognize.
At the same time, I can conduct simple conversations in Russian in a fairly natural way. For someone going to Russia who wants to learn as much as possible as quickly as possible and as pleasantly as possible, this is a good system notwithstanding its limitations.
My verdict: Level 1 is excellent; level 2 and Level 3 are OK.
CAVEAT: I used the earlier version of Russian. The new immersion materials in the updated system may be better.
November 18, 2010
Great product!
I purchased Rosetta Stone for Russian Level 1, 2, & 3 and I love it! The way the lessons are divided make sense as you progress in a language. I enjoy being able to work on my pronounciation as well vocabulary at the same time. It's very engaging and a very well-crafted piece of software.
I'm annoyed that I waited so long to purchase this program!
November 15, 2010
The Key to Language Learning
The developers of Rosetta Stone did not just randomly pick a name for their Language Learning Program . They clearly thought it through. When they were done, they had chosen a name of paramount Historical significance in the field of language translation.
Just as the Rosetta Stone was a find of the ages, the RosettaStone language program is in a class by itself. The RosettaStone language Program goes back to baiscs and begins there. It is not rote memorization, but learning as we All did as children. It is a great Program and well worth the cost.
November 8, 2010
Thirty years ago...
I took five years of high school Russian, and translated for interviews with Soviet emigre scientists and engineers as a small part of my first job. Needless to say, I used to be competent in the language, to the extent that at least I could memorize the vocabulary needed for a task. I bought the program, hoping that I could learn what I needed for conversation on a daily basis.
Oops! I thought it would all come back, but NOOOOOO! It turned out that since I had learned to process the language like a translator, I could not unlock all those ancient memories. In only three weeks of working with the program, I am creating a natural-language skeleton that is allowing all those loose muscles and tendons I learned thirty years ago to re-attach. My only gripe is that since I have no problem decoding Cyrillic, the reading exercises are holding me back.
I hope to assemble legs so that I can run in Russian soon!
November 8, 2010
Amazing Program!
This program is amazing! I bought the Russian version because I would like to become a teacher in Russia, and this program has been great in teaching me proper grammar, spellin, and pronunciation. I have already recommended this program to many of my classmates and teachers even. I would recommened this to anyone even for younger children it is great!
April 22, 2010
Awesome
I purchased the Russian Version and found that after using it for a week, that when I returned to work in Russia I was truly talking and understanding Russian.
My co workers who are Russian said they were impressed with how much I had learned in such a short time.
I have recieved a e-mail from one who said he was looking foward to my return so we can have a conversation in Russian.
That was the biggest complement I could have ever received.
April 22, 2010
Extra Money I Didn't Have.
While I originally thought it was expensive -- I held off buying until I couldn't stand it anymore, then I bit the bullet and ordered. Even in this economy it has proven to be money well spent.
I am already familiar, but not fluent, with Russian, having taken two years at college; my intention is to reactivate my skill levels. Rosetta Stone's program has made this process fun. It's absolutely brilliant how I can hear the native speaker saying the word or phrase, see the visual diagram of the sounds, then I can practice my
pronunciation, see a visual of my pronunciation,and then compare the target with my production. And practice this as much as I care to! The colorful photos of people, objects, and actions bring immediacy to the context. Rosetta asks me to repeat, or to match, or to quickly respond to the changing situations shown on the screen. It's all very non-threatening, since you are competing with your own mastery level at any given point. And, you can return to the segment of the lesson where--if you are honest with yourself--you know you need additional practice. I can't wait to complete Levels Two and Three! This is fun, not drudgery!
April 14, 2010
Better than I Imagined
I really wanted to learn Russian using Rosetta Stone, but my parents were hesitant to spend the money on the program because they thought I would use it for a week and then quit. I proved them wrong! I LOVE this program. I use it everyday, and it's better than doing my homework. I am learning so much so quickly. I now want to study Russian in college, and my mom wants to get the Spanish program for herself. Don't buy from any other company. Their programs are boring and tedious. Rosetta Stone is motivating, and it really works.
April 12, 2010
Great Investment!!
This is a wonderful and very help language learning software. I love the fact that you can go at your own pace and that you can choose what you want to learn. The Audio Companion is a great tool as well because if you don't have time to sit down and do a lesson you can pop in the CD and learn on the go!
I would highly recommend getting this product - Rosetta Stone makes learning not only Russian, but any language fun and easy! I feel very accomplished after completing a lesson.
April 11, 2010
Could be better
I purchased the entire set of Russian materials and am some what dissatisfied. Luckily for me I came into this experience with a background in Russian, but for anyone who doesn't would probably have a pretty difficult time with the Russian Rosetta Stone. The course assumes a bit of background is already in place (letter pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar knowledge). Russian has a case system that can be very confusing, which is never explained in any of the 3 levels. A dictionary would also be very helpful since some of the words I didn't know and were unable to look up. The Russian Rosetta Stone is good for refreshing your Russian skills, but I an unsure how effective it would be for someone starting completely from scratch. It is the best Russian learning software I have used, and I have used others, but there is still a lot of room for improvement. Given the cost of buying the entire set of materials, I am unsure if it was worth it.
April 11, 2010
MockoBa
I love Rosetta Stone because in only one week I was able to read the cerillic alphabet. It is amazing how helpful it is when studying a foreign language.
April 10, 2010
Commanding Your World
Rosetta Stone truly is a remarkable product. To speak from imagery rather than memory is so much easier. When people speak you are not trying to translate your current language with what is being said. Rather you "see" what they are saying within the mind. This to me is much easier to comprehend. I have tried other programs and have just not got it. Now I got it. Thanks, Rosetta Stone.
April 8, 2010
Russian Level 1,2,3
This is a very good learning method and I have had good results. If I could make one change it would be to add verbs, adjectives, and so forth into the learning structure earlier into the program. It is frustrating to know lots of nouns but not be able to put them in sentences. I would definitely recommend this to a friend.
April 8, 2010
This product is one of the best out there. It commits vocabulary to memory and keeps bringing it back in future lessons. A dictionary is a valuable tool to use with this product if you get stuck. I have had some problems with the voice recognition but most of the time it works well.
April 7, 2010
Thirst For More
This program is sensational. The way each new lesson builds on the previous lessons is confidence boosting. I feel excited about the next session as I feel the power of this new language growing in me. The method is not about learning but assimilating.
April 7, 2010
Simple & Fun to Use
The Rosetta Stone program is perhaps the greatest thing since sliced bread. It is simple to use and very fun to work with. You can learn a language so fast with the Rosetta Stone program. I am learning my fifth language with this program.
I recommend this program to everyone wishing to learn another language.
April 7, 2010
Just started
Although I purchased the program July 2009, due to busy life schedule I started using it just a week ago. IT is great program, but I believe it should start teaching the Russian Alphabet first, shall let you know my progress, hey by the way the; audio companion is great idea of reviewing what has been taught...
April 7, 2010
A Great Language Learning Program!
I had a little experience with spoken and written Russian (I work with an orphan ministry in a Russian speaking country during the summers), but wanted to go deeper and build my vocabulary. I knew VERY little (a few words, no grammar/sentence structure), and I heard great things about Rosetta Stone, so I thought I'd give it a try.
So far, I've really enjoyed it, and feel like I'm learning easily. The Audio Companion is a huge help to listen to on the way to work or elsewhere. It helps me retain what I've learned, and I even like to preview the next lessons on the Audio Companion, just to familiarize myself with upcoming sounds and words.
I'm excited to see what all I pick up by the end of my third course! Thanks, Rosetta Stone!
April 7, 2010
Great language learning tool for your money
I have tried a number of different language learning tools in my study of the Russian language and I can say that hands down Rosetta Stone has been the most effective, intuitive, and enjoyable of them all.
While it did seem a bit on the pricey side initially, I can say that I learned far more from one CD than I could have hoped to learn in a live class that would have cost the same price as all three CDs.
Rosetta Stone Russian Level 1, 2, and 3 with Audio Companion offers a great introduction to the Russian language and I would recommend it to anyone, especially to visual learners like myself.
April 7, 2010
Russian 1,2,3
At first this was a very scary purchase for me as these programs can be quite pricey, but after using it for a few days I found this product to work beyond my imagination. I couldn't believe how quickly I picked this language up. Since my original purchase I have had to stop and start again a few times as life gets in the way, but once I get back into the program its as if I never took a break. I am extremely pleased with this product and am looking forward to more purchases in the future. After use you realize that the money spent on this program is nothing compared to what you are getting out of the program. If you catch this product at the right time it can be cheaper to buy this than to take one language course at a university. Completely worth the money and I am loving my purchase, you will not regret buying this!!
April 7, 2010
Great Product!
I've really enjoyed my experience with Rosetta Stone thus far. I grew up speaking Russian in my household however I've never received formal grammatical training. The techniques that this program use seem to be very beneficial towards retaining vocabulary and grammar. No memorization is required, just natural recall which is very similar to how a child learns to speak originally. My only complaint would be some of the speech recognition sections. Being a native speaker, I have a pretty good Russian accent. Many times the voice recognition sections count my responses as incorrect due to differences in pitch and tone inflection. Even my mother, a first generation immigrant, has the software count her responses as incorrect. Nonetheless, you're learning a priceless communication technique, correctly.
April 7, 2010
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