Korean Job Discussion Forums

[binderman278]

I have just bought this program. Has anyone had any experience with it? Has it helped very much?

[rkc76sf]

The U.S. Army offers the software for free. I've completed all the levels offered through the Army and it didn't do much for me, I wouldn't recommend it. If it's free, like it was for me, then no harm done, but the truth is if you don't know how to read and write Korean before taking the course, I don't think you'll learn anything. If you already know basic Korean, then you're not learning anything you don't already know.

[binderman278]

Dang! I knew I shouldn't of wasted my money on it. Too late now, but thanks for the info.

[kbit]

i've been using it, only half way done with level 1. i think it is pretty good for learning pronunciation and building vocabulary, but poor for grammar. you can't rely solely on the program to teach you the language. it doesnt teach you the general structure of sentences and can be darn confusing sometimes - i regularly have to translate some of the instructions outside the program so i know what is going on. im not in korea yet so i cant say how well it will works in a real-world korean language situation.

[rkc76sf]

Honestly, I can't tell you if it's good for someone who is starting from scratch, since I had a basic understanding of Korean- writing, listening, reading. Maybe it can be helpful, but it just seemed too vague. For example- "here's a picture of a bird, here's the Korean writing for bird, here's what it sounds like". No introduction into the Korean alphabet or vocabulary, at least from what I used. I would recommend the Korean language book, Ganada (가나다) www.langpl.com. I'm on the Advance Level 1 and it's probably been the most useful to me of all the Korean Language books I've studied.

[Philkaz]

i have it, almost done with the first disc. Its setup so you need to buy every level to actually learn the language.

I def understand a little from conversations that I otherwise wouldnt. My boss also tells my that my pronunciation is better than the teacher before me that was here for two years.

[the ireland]

i downloaded it for free (don't judge me ) used it a few times but haven't went back to it.

If you can't read or write korean then it's no good as a starting point.

The first few parts on cd1 are getting you to pronounce the cons/vowels and reading sentences.

[crossmr]

The latest version is much better than the original version.
The original version was basically nothing more than rapid fire vocabulary and pictures. There was no 한글 instruction yet was aimed at beginners. Apparently they expected you to pick up the letters from context.
The new version has all kinds of different exercises and types of learning in it. I think it is a much more complete package. I've only done the first unit, I've been much more focused on a couple of books I use, but I found it to be one of the better programs. Most of the other programs are simple or just flashcards or something like that.
This one at least makes an attempt to check your pronunciation.

[freakyaye852]

you should check out: http://www.declan-software.com/korean.htm#Software

Their korean software is excellent, ive used readwrite and hakgyo. Demos are available.

[crossmr]

[jugbandjames]

Rosetta stone is designed to simulate immersion in the target language. If you're already in Korea, you don't really need that.

[young_clinton]

I bought the Rosetta Stone Korean I, II,III. I find it to be excellent. You have to be patient though and work hard at it and use it everyday. For people just starting Korean the Pimsleur comprehensive lessons along with the Rosetta Stone program are excellent. I think you have to have all three levels of the Rosetta Stone. One is not enough. The vocabulary that you get in I, II, and III is pretty extensive. More importantly both Pimsleur and Rosetta Stone teaches and has you practice the grammatical structure thoroughly. The grammatical structure of Korean is so different from English that picking it up without some heavy and constant kind of communicative learning instruction is unlikely.

I studied both Pimsleur Comprehensive Lessons before the Rosetta Stone which helped quite a bit with the Rosetta Stone. The Rosetta Stone is a lot more comprehensive, Pimsleur is really nice but not enough. After Rosetta Stone you should be able to interact in some of the advanced Korean learning groups that are around.

I don't care what anybody else thinks the OP did not make a mistake buying the Rosetta Stone software.

[mattdsoares]

Learn the alphabet before you start it. They have everything that is said, and that you have to say in the problem spelled out for you but it's in hangul. If you can't read hangul you'll be absolutely lost.

That being said, I don't think it's all that great personally. Children learn language similar to the way Rosetta stone does it, sure. The problem is the people using the program are NOT children. We lose the ability to learn language the way children do as we grow. Kindergarten and preschool kids also have the ability to make any speech sound from any language until their palate hardens as they grow. As adults, we cannot do this and will always have an accent, no matter what language we try and learn. So just because it's the way kids do it does not make it the right way for adults. Kids brains are programmed to latch on to and learn language at an alarming rate. Our minds are not.

This method works for some people, but not others and in my opinion is flawed. It's good for learning phrases...but you won't actually understand how the language works with Rosetta stone. You'll know that "give me please" is chuseyo, but you will have no idea that the verb is chu- and se- and -yo are very important particles that can be attached to other verbs. As a result you'll only be able to use the words and phrases that Rosetta stone actually teaches you, which is limiting. By learning in the traditional manner you can learn that -yo is a polite marking particle and how to attach it, then you can learn a whole list of little verb stems and you'll know how to properly use them. Rosetta stone won't teach you that. It won't teach you the difference between yogi and yogiyo. Or if it does use them both, you'll have difficulty understanding the difference and when to use which. We're adults, not children. We need to have grammatical rules explained to us so we can form the framework of the language.

Kids don't learn about grammatical rules when they're learning language because they don't have the capacity to understand them. We do and we naturally seek out and NEED these rules and framework to really learn and understand a language. Once you because comfortable with the language your mind will stop thinking about rules and translating and will just start speaking naturally. The idea that Rosetta stone somehow skips this process of adult language learning is ridiculous.

If you learn how the language ticks, you'll be able to form your OWN sentences and your OWN verb strings etc., which makes the language more useful. If you stick to just Rosetta stone you'll be limited to precannded phrases and verb strings that you'll have no idea how to properly use and change.

I think the program is useful as a TOOL for learning, but not an all encompassing program. If you combine it with a more traditional language book that explains the grammar and proper usage, it can be a great success. That being said...if you're already in Korea it's a total waste. Go out and talk to people that you meet with the Korean you learn from a more traditional book. Not only will you be more versatile because you can form your own phrases/words/sentence because you'll understand how the grammar works, but Koreans will be more than happy to correct your pronunciation, intonation, and usage. Plus, you'll get more satisfaction with using your new language with an ajumma at the local kimbap joint than you ever will repeating a phrase you barely understand to a computer. This will fuel your desire to learn more.

In theory, the idea that Rosetta Stone links the Korean with images rather than English translations is good...but in practice your brain will naturally and automatically do the same thing as you learn and become comfortable with the language. Even with a traditional method of language learning as you use it more and become comfortable with it, your brain will begin to map it to "images" rather than translate it. I speak intermediate German. Not fluent at all, but good enough to get by and express myself enough to have a decent conversation. When I do this, I don't think about English at all. The german just pops out. With practice you'll get to this level with any language.

Also, I don't buy what Rosetta Stone is selling about their image mapping ability anyway. When you are learning the Korean word for water, and they show you a glass of water, you automatically translate it into English anyway, whether you want to or not. Your mind does it for you without you even thinking about it. The idea that Rosetta Stone somehow bypassing that natural process by showing you a picture and using no English is absolute rubbish. Sure it works this way for a preschooler, but we're not preschoolers.

If you're dead set on using Rosetta Stone, download a torrent of it, it's not worth the money they charge, and go to Bandi and Luni's and buy a traditional language book as well.

Rosetta Stone fails by ignoring the fact that our ability to learn language and the way we do it fundamentally changes once we leave our kindergarten years behind. The people who learn more with Rosetta stone than they ever did with years of traditional classes, do so because of the schedule and convenience, not because it teaches you better. Maybe they don't do well in a class environment, or didn't pay attention in class, or didn't do the work or make a real effort. That doesn't make Rosetta Stone a better way to learn...it just makes it more convenient for some people's schedules.

Ok, rant over. The bottom line is Rosetta stone will teach you how to recite the language...not actually speak it. If you are dead set on using it, that's fine, it can be a great tool IF it is used correctly. Supplement it heavily with grammar lessons through a good texbook. It will do a good job with vocabulary but without solid grammar instruction you will know a ton of words, but be piss poor at using them.

[lukas]

I am halfway through level 2. I love it. I find it helps a lot as long as you don't rush through it. Read everything you see outloud. I usually make some flashcards for the phrases I might use often. I study the material with my co-teachers as well, which helps to reinforce.

Probably the best way to learn the language is to take a course at University if you have the time. Out of all my friends, I think I speak the best Korean given how long I've been here. Except for a few friends who have taken a Uni class. I would hope they got their moneys worth though, since my friend has class Monday through Friday, about 4 hours each day.


My tip to you is, don't just use Rosetta Stone. Make a lot of Korean friends, and practice whenever you can. Just doing Rosetta Stone can be boring, but if you find opportunities to use what you learn in a real life situation, it's very motivating. Keep studying hard, results aren't very apparent until one day suddenly you're understanding what people are saying.

[beNNN]