All Language Resources is an independent review site. If you click a product link, we may earn money from a seller at no cost to you. Writing and analyses are author opinions. Learn More

Rosetta Stone Review Italian

Rosetta Stone Italian

Rating 3.2

Summary

A Rosetta Stone Italian course could be most suitable for learners that don’t mind repetitive exercises and prefer to learn from pictures and context rather than translations and explanations. It’s probably not a good option for anyone wanting to significantly improve their speaking or writing skills, or those looking for an engaging course.


Quality 3.0

The platform is a bit clunky on desktop, but the material is accurate and presented clearly; lesson mechanics are fairly intuitive.

Thoroughness 3.0

Without much opportunity to build your own sentences, I don’t think you’ll reach a conversational level with any notable speed.

Value 3.5

Rosetta Stone’s Lifetime Subscription ($199 on sale) is quite attractive if you like the Rosetta Stone Method. Shorter subscriptions are quite reasonable, too.

I Like
  • The audio quality is very good.
  • Lessons progress naturally and logically.
I Don’t Like
  • It’s repetitive and boring.
  • You don’t get to generate your own sentences.
  • Speech recognition doesn’t work very well.
  • No grammar explanations in core material.
Price

ALR Readers Exclusive Holiday Deal!! Get the Lifetime Subscription for 25 languages for $179 (everywhere else it’s $199 right now!). See details on the website.

Course Overview

The Rosetta Stone Italian course is a language-learning program designed to teach Italian to speakers of other languages. Its method combines immersive visuals, speech recognition technology, and interactive activities to help learners acquire the language naturally, in a way (Rosetta Stone claims) is the same as when learners first acquired their native language.

The course is structured in a series of lessons that cover a range of topics, including greetings, introductions, travel, food, and more. Each lesson features a combination of images, audio, and text, along with speech recognition exercises that help learners to practice pronunciation and build their speaking skills.

In addition to the core lessons, the course also includes additional activities, such as grammar and vocabulary builders, as well as games and quizzes that reinforce the language skills learned in each lesson. Additionally, users can access a live online tutor for help with pronunciation and grammar.

The Rosetta Stone Italian course is designed for both beginners and those who are more advanced in the language. It offers a flexible, self-paced approach, allowing learners to progress at their own speed and revisit lessons as needed.

Things to consider before buying

Before you buy a Rosetta Stone Italian course, it’s important to consider a few key factors to make sure that the course is the right fit for your learning style and goals. Some of the things you may want to consider include:

Learning style

Rosetta Stone’s immersive, visual approach to language learning may not be suitable for everyone, as it clusters seemingly unconnected vocabulary into lessons. Consider your learning style and whether you prefer a more structured, grammar-focused approach or an immersive, visual-based approach.

Price

Rosetta Stone courses can be quite expensive, so consider your budget before making a purchase. Make sure you understand what you’re paying for and whether the price is reasonable for the level of support and resources you’ll receive. There are many purchase options – CDs, digital purchase, and subscriptions, so if you decide to try Rosetta Stone Italian, decide which purchase option will be most suitable for you.

Progress tracking

If you’re looking to track your progress and measure your success in learning Italian, Rosetta Stone does not have an easily accessible way to monitor your progress.

Other resources: Consider what other resources, such as textbooks, audio CDs, or online communities, you might need to complement your Rosetta Stone course and help you achieve your language-learning goals.

Features and Benefits

There are several benefits to using the Rosetta Stone program to study Italian, including:

Immersive method: Rosetta Stone’s unique immersive method helps learners acquire the language naturally, as they did when they first learned their native language. The program’s combination of visuals, speech recognition technology, and interactive activities creates an immersive environment that simulates real-life language use.

Flexibility: The course is self-paced, allowing learners to progress at their own speed and revisit lessons as needed. This makes it a good choice for busy people who need to fit language learning into their schedules.

Effective language acquisition: The Rosetta Stone method has been shown to be effective in helping learners acquire new languages. The program’s focus on speaking and listening makes pronunciation and sound recognition easy.

Speech recognition technology: The speech recognition technology used in the course provides immediate feedback on pronunciation and helps learners to improve their speaking skills.

Accessibility: The course is available on desktop and mobile devices, making it accessible from anywhere, at any time. This makes it a convenient option for busy people who want to study Italian on the go.

Can be Fun and engaging: The program’s use of visuals, speech recognition technology, and interactive activities makes learning Italian enjoyable and engaging. This can help keep learners motivated and increase their chances of success.

Alternatives

True, Rosetta Stone is one of the most famous language programs on the market, and you may have seen it at your local library. But, there are many other great options if you are serious about learning Italian. Each of us has different objectives – study to pass the C1 Exam, or just go visit Venice for a weekend – and All Language Resources has a LOT OF resources for you to consider. See our “Most Recommended Resources For Learning Italian“.

Story Learning

Story Learning is a four-course Italian learning website that involves using stories to help learners acquire new vocabulary, grammar, and other language skills. Storytelling is a naturally engaging and captivating activity, which makes it easy for learners to stay interested and motivated, while providing a context for vocabulary acquisition, making it easier for learners to remember new words and phrases. Unlike the Rosetta Stone course, the stories used in Story Learning can also provide an opportunity to practice and apply grammar structures in a meaningful and relevant way. This association of grammar with meaningful contexts has been shown to improve memory recall, making it easier for learners to remember and retain what they have learned.

Pimsleur Italian

If the Rosetta Stone focus on speaking and listening appeals to you, then the Pimsleur app might be a good fit for you. The Pimsleur approach also focuses on developing speaking and listening skills, which are critical for effective communication in a new language. However, unlike Rosetta Stone, the program emphasizes the importance of using the language in real-life situations, rather than just memorizing vocabulary and obscure sentences. Pimsleur’s Graduated Interval Recall system gradually increases the time between each review of new information, which helps to reinforce the language in long-term memory. The Pimsleur method has been used for over 50 years and has been shown to be effective in helping learners acquire new languages. The program’s focus on speaking, listening, and reinforcement helps learners to quickly progress in their language learning journey.

Italianpod101

If you prefer a traditional lesson structure, then ItalianPod101 is another popular language-learning resource that could be right for you. ItalianPod101 offers a comprehensive curriculum of structured lessons that cover a wide range of language topics, making it easy for learners to progress in a logical and systematic way, building their skills and knowledge step-by-step. ItalianPod101 also offers a mobile app that makes it easy for learners to study on-the-go, whether they are at home, on the bus, or waiting in line.

Conclusion

In conclusion, after thoroughly evaluating the Rosetta Stone Italian language-learning program, it is clear to us that it falls short in several key areas. The program’s reliance on repetitive exercises and limited explanations can lead to a lack of understanding and frustration for users. Additionally, the lack of interactive and communicative components can make it difficult for learners to fully engage with the language and practice their speaking and listening skills. Overall, while Rosetta Stone Italian may be a useful tool for some language learners, it does have significant limitations that should be considered before making a purchase.

Related Articles: