<p>Hi all. I am thinking of going ahead and getting the Rosetta Stone program and do Italian as my language. Anyone else used this program? How did you like it? Any other one's out there?</p>
<p>I've used Rosetta Stone and like it for modern, spoken languages.</p>
<p>A somewhat cheaper alternative is Assimil. This is the program my daughter's college advisor (a linguist) suggested for self-study of a language. Here is the Italian one -- <a href="http://tinyurl.com/hsbps%5B/url%5D">http://tinyurl.com/hsbps</a> These programs are available from Amazon too, I think.</p>
<p>Just make sure you get the CDs to go along with the book. As we heard from her advisor and others who have used the program, the CDs are really an essential part of the program. You need to listen to them, the more times the better.</p>
<p>However, Assimil only has one level for Italian. If you want to go further, Rosetta Stone may be your best bet after all. You can order a free, demonstration CD from them to see if you like RS (as with everything -- some do, some don't).</p>
<p>Once you have a certain base knowledge, you may find this of interest --</p>
<p>BTW it is spelled "curriculum." OK, this is one of my pet peeves ...</p>
<p>Oh duh. Thanks for correcting me. Yours suggestions are great! Thank you.</p>
<p>rosetta stone is available at many libraries (and some library systems offer free at home access to the online version). check there first to try it out.</p>
<p>Rosetta stone has it's good and bad points -- you will need to supplement the grammar and writing. It can also get very repetitive and boring to some users. You will just have to see how it works for you.</p>
<p>At some point (usually sooner rather than later) you will need to get a native speaking tutor or take a class at a communty college/university to really learn it. good luck</p>
<p>(Diane R- I just got my packet of Champs Elysees!! )Haven't tried it yet., but I'm reading the booklet first. I am trying the plus, so you get an extra book I think. I'm hoping it's not overwhelming. I really want to do two languages- my Spanish is very rusty, as in creaky, but the cost!!! I had my french years ago, but it is coming back after homeschooling my younger one. I would like to tune up my ear by listening more. I do want to say, now that we can barely afford gas, that I really do try to have some sort of a language program going in the car at all times. (I was an original Cheaper by the Dozen fan way back in the 60's) and if you don't know what I mean, you'll just have to read the books for yourself. Speaking of Cheaper by the Dozen, when we had our Engineering Open house at the university near here, I asked at the Industrial Engineering table if they still study any of the research done by the Gilbreths. The one student said her professor mentions it in lectures, but she had never read the book for herself! The amazing thing is that my daughter, who is not paying that much attention compared to me (who is driving) because she reads, can say the words perfectly. So don't waste a minute of that developing mind's time!!!!!</p>