Review by Victor Blake

I installed the Rosetta Stone software on my Vista based laptop with no problems. It uses the same core software for all of the languages. After installing the core software, I then installed the lanugage software for all three lessons in Japansese, as well as 3 in another language.

The software comes with it’s own headset and microphone combination. It worked correctly with no installation problems. Before each lesson begins the software asks you to repeat a phrase to correctly set the microphone level. The headset and microphone worked very well in a variety of envirnonments around my office and home, but I did not test it in loud environments like an airport.

It is hard to describe exactly how the software works, but it essentially focuses on visual assocations which are much more natural than a textbook or classroom based approach. As the lessons progressed I was surprised at how quickly I could understanding more complex (compound speech) language.

The software records your progress including the rate at which you pass testing along the way. It was so natural, that after I finished a set of language I found myself beginning to immediately think of the language in the real world around me. So I found it to be immediately helpful.

I’ve tried to learn two languages in a classroom environment, but never succesfully. While I cannot say that I’ve learned Japanese yet, this is clearly a great start and introduction. I’ll update my review when I finished lessons 2 and 3.