Rosetta Stone advertises an immerse language experience as the quickest way to learn a language, but to call it software isn’t really accurate, they’re just selling flash cards – or more simply photographs, disguised as language learning software. The viewer clicks on the picture to select an answer to the question – it is poorly designed without regard to any modern e-learning research and techniques. Do not waste money purchasing such a program to learn Mandarin – there are no conversation exercises – and no animation for any of the vocabulary. The only reason Rosetta Stone might be useful is as a vocabulary review before you take a test.
As a language learning product it fails.
As a gift I received a Mandarin vocabulary and phrase book – and then got into a two hour phone call with a contact from Taiwan where I practiced some of the phrases and developed a game show where I approach Chinese tourists on the street and test them on their understanding of my Mandarin. Here’s an update of some of footage from the show:http://www.metacafe.com/w/5478477
http://www.metacafe.com/w/5487511