Rosetta Stone

[polarbear 0]

My parents just sent a Eid gift for my husband - Rosetta stone English 1,2,&3 and Audio CD companion

It's alot of money, and I know some people on here were talking about the Arabic version... anyone ever tried the English version?

I know my parents have some slightly selfish reasons for the gift (they want to be able to talk to my husband without me translating ) but I'm also going to take this as a sign that they are finally accepting us and want to be supportive. They know we haven't been able to afford classes and all the free ones in miami teach spanish to english - which isn't such a bad thing since my husband's spanish has become better than the english crazy as it sounds, that's actually really helpful here and he needs spanish almost as much as the english.

But, back to topic do you guys think it was a good investment? I don't want to give it to him until Eid (since it says "Happy Eid" on the card) and I'll be kinda stressing it until then.

[Nothing1234 2]

My parents just sent a Eid gift for my husband - Rosetta stone English 1,2,&3 and Audio CD companion

It's alot of money, and I know some people on here were talking about the Arabic version... anyone ever tried the English version?

I know my parents have some slightly selfish reasons for the gift (they want to be able to talk to my husband without me translating ) but I'm also going to take this as a sign that they are finally accepting us and want to be supportive. They know we haven't been able to afford classes and all the free ones in miami teach spanish to english - which isn't such a bad thing since my husband's spanish has become better than the english crazy as it sounds, that's actually really helpful here and he needs spanish almost as much as the english.

But, back to topic do you guys think it was a good investment? I don't want to give it to him until Eid (since it says "Happy Eid" on the card) and I'll be kinda stressing it until then.

I have heard its very good...Rosetta stone or Pimseluer (spelling?) both are great especially for English. The only thing Rosetta does not have is the Egyptian Arabic...and that makes a big difference for me. I think your parents made a sweet step in trying to help out. Good for them! Besides it is very frustrating for people when another has to translate for them...I'd have done the same.

[Otto 83]

Rosetta Stone makes a great product - it will certainly help. Some people however may benifit more from a classroom setting - such as Berlitz

[polarbear 0]

Rosetta Stone makes a great product - it will certainly help. Some people however may benifit more from a classroom setting - such as Berlitz

Yeah, the classroom setting is about the same price as the Rosetta Stone and my parents actually asked me before they made the final purchase if this was better and they could send me the money.

The main issue is that he doesn't have time during the day right now for even a semi-intensive course because we are pretty monetarily dependant on him making his buisness work. Evenings he has already refused because it's our only time together since we both take different days off.

This way we can do it together and he can work on it while I'm at school or in the mornings before he goes out. We have pimsleur cds for the car already, and they have helped a little.

[polarbear 0]

I have heard its very good...Rosetta stone or Pimseluer (spelling?) both are great especially for English. The only thing Rosetta does not have is the Egyptian Arabic...and that makes a big difference for me. I think your parents made a sweet step in trying to help out. Good for them! Besides it is very frustrating for people when another has to translate for them...I'd have done the same.

I know, that was a real bummer when I first looked into learning arabic... I was considering Rosetta until I found out its only MSA Arabic.

Oh yeah, and I don't blame my parents either for their motives I'm just glad they want help us out.

[sereia 0]

there is a kiosk at our local mall with rosetta stone and the man told me that you have a 6 month guarantee or your money back. i was sooooo tempted to buy it.

but since you already have it, tell him to give it a shot!!

[Nothing1234 2]

I have heard its very good...Rosetta stone or Pimseluer (spelling?) both are great especially for English. The only thing Rosetta does not have is the Egyptian Arabic...and that makes a big difference for me. I think your parents made a sweet step in trying to help out. Good for them! Besides it is very frustrating for people when another has to translate for them...I'd have done the same.

I know, that was a real bummer when I first looked into learning arabic... I was considering Rosetta until I found out its only MSA Arabic.

Oh yeah, and I don't blame my parents either for their motives I'm just glad they want help us out.

Pimsleur courses have Egyptian Arabic and its really great!

[polarbear 0]

I have heard its very good...Rosetta stone or Pimseluer (spelling?) both are great especially for English. The only thing Rosetta does not have is the Egyptian Arabic...and that makes a big difference for me. I think your parents made a sweet step in trying to help out. Good for them! Besides it is very frustrating for people when another has to translate for them...I'd have done the same.

I know, that was a real bummer when I first looked into learning arabic... I was considering Rosetta until I found out its only MSA Arabic.

Oh yeah, and I don't blame my parents either for their motives I'm just glad they want help us out.

Pimsleur courses have Egyptian Arabic and its really great!

I have it!

I have all 30 lessons - off course I've kinda slacked off on listening to them but I have a lot on my plate so maby the next holiday season or something.

[Nothing1234 2]

I have heard its very good...Rosetta stone or Pimseluer (spelling?) both are great especially for English. The only thing Rosetta does not have is the Egyptian Arabic...and that makes a big difference for me. I think your parents made a sweet step in trying to help out. Good for them! Besides it is very frustrating for people when another has to translate for them...I'd have done the same.

I know, that was a real bummer when I first looked into learning arabic... I was considering Rosetta until I found out its only MSA Arabic.

Oh yeah, and I don't blame my parents either for their motives I'm just glad they want help us out.

Pimsleur courses have Egyptian Arabic and its really great!

I have it!

I have all 30 lessons - off course I've kinda slacked off on listening to them but I have a lot on my plate so maby the next holiday season or something.

Thats a great idea..but you need to practice too! It's the only way it can really stick. Also, learning the Egyptian arabic is good as many MENA countries understand it as well...where many other dialects are not understood widely. I had a hard time switching my brain as I understand and can speak (not fluently but I get by) Jordanian arabic...I was very confused in Egypt. LOL

[Muh and me 18]

I've heard rosetta stone is awesome. I wish i could afford the arabic version. But my hubby wouldn't let me buy it anyway.

[Der Bücherwurm 1]

I tried Pimsleur for Norwegian and it was no help to me at all. I had to just take a class. For German, I tried listening to some Berlitz tapes but I had to take a class as well.

Now I want to try the Rosetta Stone for Farsi and see if it's any help. If not then I will look into taking a class later on.

[Nothing1234 2]

I've heard rosetta stone is awesome. I wish i could afford the arabic version. But my hubby wouldn't let me buy it anyway.

Most likely they don't have the dialect you'd need...thats probably why. Most programs are only offered in Eastern Arabic.

Eastern Arabic includes many Dialects:

1. A'Sham (Levantine): Syrian - Jordanian - Palestinian - Lebanese

2. Saudi - Yamani - Qatari - Omani - Emirati - Bahraini - Kuwaiti - Iraqi

The dialects within each group are somewhat similar to each other.

Arabic Dialects by countries:

1. Egypt

2. A' Sham

3. Iraq, Yemen, Libya, and Gulf countries

4. Sudan, Somalia, and Djibouti

5. Morocco, Tunis, Algeria, and Mauritania

If you speak Egyptian or one of the Shami dialects you will be well understood by other Arabs from other countries. The 3rd group is also widely understood, but you may face some problems.

If you speak one of the last two groups you could face difficulty with other Arabic speakers, because the ability of other people to understand you will depend on how close what you say is to other more famous dialects or to MSA and of course on the background of the listener.