Have you seen the Michael Phelps commercials for Rosetta Stone? He used the program to learn Mandarin Chinese before going to the Olympics this past summer. (I wonder if he learned “I am AWESOME!”?)
I was very excited when I got an email inviting me to try out the program for myself.
I received Level 1 Spanish and it includes a CD ROM with:
Core lessons: reading, listening, speaking, and writing exercises
Focused activities: exercises that concentrate one of the language skills
Milestones: lessons that allow you to practice using real-life scenarios
It also includes a microphone, so you can practice your pronunciation. The software provides actual feedback for you, just like you would get in a classroom setting.
On top of all that, it also comes with an audio companion CD that you can take on the road with you. Sitting in traffic? Prime opportunity to practice your Spanish!
This product was pitched to me as an alternate to listening to music while working out. Instead of jamming during my workouts, I could “practica mi espanol” instead.
I have to be honest though, I tried that and found it way too distracting. During my workouts I need to immerse myself in the world of Bon Jovi, not listening to Spanish 101. I really like the fact that I can load it on my Ipod, but I just couldn’t pay attention to it while I was exercising.
That said however, I do LOVE this program. It was not only for me, my entire family could benefit! My toddler takes a Spanish class one morning per week so he enjoyed learning with me. He sat on my lap as we went through the program and recognized many of the words. He even wanted to wear the headset so he could practice too.
We played the CD in the car instead of listening to The Wiggles over and over.
My husband even learned several words and has now vowed to do the entire program on his own computer.
Rosetta Stone is a fantastic way to learn a new language and we plan to continue practicing our Spanish all around the casa. It gives us a prime opportunity to practice our Spanish without taking classes from an online school or community college!
How about you? Could you learn, or even read, while you are working out? If not, what kind of music are you listening to?
{ 16 comments }
LOVE my rosetta stone spanish…that said Im not a good endorsement for them as i still retain very little
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Never heard of it before. Sounds interesting. Surely try it. Thanks for the info. Keep it up!
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I would love this! but like you, not working out. I took Spanish in high school, and now want to learn it all over again.
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How cool! I have always wanted to try the rosetta stone!! There’s a free website on the Internet called Live Mocha where you can learn and practice several languages that I’ve been doing but it’s not portable. Bueno Suerte con su projecto, Lisa!
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OOOhh, I love Rosetta Stone. I’ve heard awesome things about it and almost bought the Chinese version last year for Christmas. I’m gonna have to come check yours out
I’ve always wanted to check out Rosetta Stone. So glad it actually does work. I don’t think I could do it while working out, though. I certainly can’t read and can usually barely watch TV. I’m much more of a plug in to some screaming rock or go-faster techno kinda girl.
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I like it! Very cool! So creative you are! Have a nice weekend!
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That looks like so much fun! I love Spanish. I’m usually really bad at learning languages unless I’m in the place where that language is spoken and am forced to learn it:)
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Rosetta Stone is such an excellent program – I used it last year and was so impressed. IMO, it’s the best way to go if you are trying to learn or improve your language skills.
ooh me want that rosetta spanish thing!
lol i’ve learned that it just does NOT work to use my brain in that way during exercise. i try to be super productive and have tried to listen to podcasts, or audible books, etc while working out but i find that just good loud blasting music is the best for a workout. even tv isn’t very “pushing” either!
the best workout songs are “rock”-ish alternative songs i think =D
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They’re really expensive, aren’t they? I always WANT Rosetta Stone, but I think the cost keeps me away. I couldn’t listen while working out, though. Maybe on my bus commute.
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I tried doing educational podcasts before while running but I always zone out. My husband would love to learn another language this way — I’ll pass this on!
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Immersion is the best way to learn.
You could supplement your Rosetta Stone learning by loading Spanish-language music on your ipod, and listening to that while you work out. That way, you can concentrate on your workout, and the Spanish will seep into your brain! (Plus, there is lots of upbeat Spanish music that is great to work out to!)
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I’ve heard good things about that program. I studied Spanish in high school and college, but of course I haven’t studied a lick of it since then. Might be something interesting to take back up.
Fantastic review! Thank you! I was just talking to my husband recently about how I’d love to raise bilingual children, but I’m not quite sure how to start. I took Spanish in high school and also two years in college, but I have been “out-of-practice” for some time now…
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no not while working out but I’m actually debating investing in this..
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