Some Reviews on Foreign Language Software Programs

Since I own probably just about every software package ever made for learning foreign languages I thought I would provide my views on what is good and what is a waste of money:

1. Talk Now! beginner series that can be found just about anywhere these days:
I own Georgian, Armenian, Turkish, Hebrew, Arabic, Russian, Azeri and the 101 Languages Series. I really like it because it is one of those simply user friendly layouts that you can do on a quick 15 minute lunch break at about 75% less the cost of the Rosetta Stone software. It is great for building beginning vocabularly especially if you are new to a language. You won't be talking like a pro though more like Tarzan "Good morning.....apple....please...." you get the point. The only complaint I have is sometimes they are made cheap (CD's scratch easily) and there is some sloppy editing (i.e. in the Georgian version the Georgian script has an extra incorrect letter in several words - basically typos. In the Armenian program the font is hardly legible in a few of the modules it comes off kind of white instead of black like it should be.)

I don't like their intermediate series. I own German, Arabic, Hebrew and Russian versions. I agree with what most reviews on amazon say. They go from a little bit of knowledge in the beginning series to talking at you like a native in this one. Way too far too fast if you've done nothing but the beginner series.

The "Movie Talk" advanced series. I own the German version. Great concept about watching a movie then answering questions and playing iwth dialogues etc. The only thing I don't like is in the glossary it gives words without saying if they are "der, die, das" which makes it really difficult if you want to try and string things together at a later point.

2. Rosetta Stone - The Cadillac of foreign language software. It is really pricey at about $200 a pop. Is it worth it? Yes and no. I like the old flashcard concept. I own the Russian version and have to admit it gives you more vocabularly and "real world" concepts than any other program out there will. That being said this is an immersion program and the fact there are no translations or grammar explanations drives many people nuts. That doesn't bother me so much but the fact I can't "tag" cards I routinely miss and come back to them later does. For that much money the "inside of the Cadillac" (the actual working of the program) should be as good as its content.

3. Transparent Language Series - I own German and Russian. It is a pretty good series in my opinion. Lots of "real world" dialogues with grammar explanations and very reasonably priced. The downside is you end up memorizing "canned phrases" and may have a hard time adjusting to real world flexibility when in a real conversation.

4. There is a program on the internet called www.georgian-language.com. It is really expensive at over $100 a module. Needless to say there are very few resources for Georgian on the internet. The concept of the program is actually a good one. An access program that has lots of grammar exercises that help you get used to the grammar patterns etc. You also get personal tutors along the way if you have questions. The down sides are the book (downloaded) that comes with the course is really small and has about a half dozen dialogues. The sound quality on the dialogues is the worst I've ever experienced. Besides that you can get the exact same ones for free from the Univ. of Indiana Language Lab site. Also the Access program had lots of bugs in it. (Things would be marked wrong that weren't etc.). Great concept but they have a long way to go to really perfect it and the price in my personal opinion is outrageous for what you get especially when you look at programs like www.discoverarmenian.com that are only $50 for the entire course and much better put together. Don't get me wrong they are really nice people but I think if you want to charge near Rosetta Stone prices for a product you have to have an outstanding bug free program.

4. The Living Language Series
I own the French and Russian versions of this. I've never been very happy with it. The main reason is when you play it in the car it doesn't tell you the meaning of the phrases they are saying. You feel like you are memorizing "jibberish." I think they are going for an immersion concept but it never worked very well for me.

5. The Penton Overseas Series
I really like it. I own the Hebrew, Armenian and Russian Vocabulearn series. Obviously very little grammar aside from some simple phrases it is basically a memorization tool where they give you lots of commonly used vocab words. Yes a little like memorizing the dictionary - but at least they pick the common words for you. There are very few vocab builders out there so I am a fan of this one. It's quick, simple and gets the job done.

I also recommend their "Learn in your car" series. I have the Russian version. At only around $30 it is a lot cheaper than Rosetta Stone and essentially does the same thing without pictures. It gives you loads of typical phrases with small grammar explanations here and there (just what the grammar is not all the tables, rules etc.). A challenge but definately much more practical than Rosetta Stone for the financially constrained.