by Gail Gromaski

Created on: April 24, 2009

Having spent the last 13 years of my life learning and maintaining my knowledge of the German language, I know effective foreign language teaching methods when I see them, having had both good and bad experiences over the years. Since I started learning French with the Rosetta Stone language-learning software a few weeks ago, I have found it significantly more effective in providing comprehensive language instruction than some of the formal language training I've received in a classroom.

I began learning German in high school classes in which our instructor was "teaching to the test" in order for us to achieve top rankings in annual statewide competitions. Using this method of teaching, a substantial percentage of the language instruction was presented in English and focused mainly on writing instead of all the different aspects of the language. This teaching method was very effective in achieving high rankings (I even managed to get 2nd in the state one year), but not as effective in preparing me to deal with the real German-speaking world as I could barely communicate verbally upon arriving in Germany a couple of years later.

I don't feel like the same would happen after learning a language with the Rosetta Stone software. Unlike my high school courses, the program uses "total immersion" tactics in order to teach, meaning that everything is presented in the foreign language, and nothing is translated into your own native tongue. This forces the learner to pay better attention and figure things out on their own, thus resulting in higher retention and eventually better application. There are times when I wish I could just see a verb conjugation chart or ask a question, only because that's what I'm used to when learning a language. The Rosetta Stone's "total immersion" method, however, challenges me to solve the puzzle, so to speak, and that gives me even more motivation to get it right.

Other great advantages of the Rosetta Stone software include:

1. Comprehensive learning. All aspects of the language are given sufficient attention (vocabulary, grammar, listening, speaking, writing, etc.) so that they can be mastered as equally as possible.

2. It feels like a game. There are different sound effects for when you get things right or wrong, and the layout and graphics are modern, professional-looking and easily-understood. You can also keep track of your progress by looking at your score at any time. This makes things fun and gives you a sense of accomplishment at

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