Cheap Rosetta Stone Russian Explorer (Software) (Windows 95, Windows XP, Macintosh, Windows 2000, Windows 98, Windows Me) Price

Related Products

Customer Reviews of Rosetta Stone Russian Explorer

A great way to try the best language learning software
This is by far the best language learning software out there for the DIY language learner. It uses total immersion without any English (this is a good thing). I own the full length courses for both Russian and German 1 and 2, and while it was no small investment, it was definitely worth it. The Rosetta Stone software is like the Pimsleur tapes in that it's the best of its kind and you get what you pay for. I bought this program to try it and passed it on to a friend when I bought my full courses.

Again, this is great software but you won't acheive any level of fluency with the abbreviated programs. But since the larger programs are extremely expensive, it's a good way to see if you like the system before you take the big plunge and spend the bucks on the full courses.

---

Great deal on fantastic software
As other reviewers have noted, this is the only language learning software series worth buying. It's very, very good. You really do learn to think in the new language from the beginning. I have only one quibble with this Russian version: you'll need to learn the Cyrillic alphabet, and obtain a keyboard chart, on your own, or else you'll be stymied by the writing exercises. (I called Rosetta's help desk, and they told me that other versions of the software had onscreen keyboard maps, but this one does not.)

The "Russian Explorer" package comes with two additional happy surprises. First, along with the 22 lessons of Russian you paid for, you get a free sampler of introductory lessons in the twenty-five other languages Rosetta Stone offers. Even better, you get a coupon for a very substantial discount (you come out ahead) when you're ready to purchase the next levels of Rosetta Stone software. And you will: it's addictive. You can't go wrong by starting with the Explorer.

---

Well Conceived Sampler
I reviewed many "beginner" systems and found this one to be the better choice for me. It introduces you to the Language in much the same way you learned your native language, visually and audibly. The words are there, too. I am half way through this "sampler" (you are given 22 lessons, which have four layers each) and find it very enjoyable. As you learn to speak, you also learn to read, too. A technique I am employing is to daily go through every lesson from the beginning, advancing every few days to the next lesson as I feel I've begun to absorb and retain the material to which I am exposed. To me, repetition is key to retention and comprehension. Pronunciation improves with each pass, retention improves with each day, and my ability to identify the subject(s) improves with each pass. However, be advised that this is not all there is to learning languages; I also have printed materials with which I work as well. Is it the better system of the few quality offerings? I can only speak from my experience. My Russian friend says I'm doing pretty well for what I know thus far. As my goal is to be able to have decent literacy in Russian within six months, I am confident I can attain it with the help of the Rosetta Stone system (beyond the Explorer sampler).