Rosetta Stone Dutch Course

by **nataliegaynor** » July 16th, 2009, 2:11 pm

I've just moved to The Netherlands and am trying to learn Dutch as quickly as possible to improve my chances of getting a job ASAP.

I have heard good things about the Rosetta Stone courses, but they are really expensive! I just thought I'd post this to see if anyone here has used it and do you think it's worth the money? I was thinking of buying Levels 1 & 2 combined.

Many thanks!

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by **Bieneke** » July 16th, 2009, 3:26 pm

There are several members on this forum who have experience with Rosetta Stone: koffiepauze, eCkz, dahig, and more (just use the forum search function).

Tom wrote something about his experience with Rosetta Stone here: viewtopic.php?f=27&t=1284&p=8585&hilit=rosetta#p8585 and Ikzaleenvlammingzijn here: viewtopic.php?f=27&t=2651&p=16724#p16724.

Since you live in the Netherlands, why don't you enroll in a (physical) Dutch class? That will definitely give you quicker results than when you study it completely on your own. The fastest way to learn it is, of course, to communicate in Dutch as much as possible. Under "Hints and tips" (viewforum.php?f=28) you can read tips from other Dutch learners.

I do not know where in the Netherlands you live, but if you live in Amsterdam, Dutch is not always required. As a student, I worked in two different hotels where the working language was English; most people hardly spoke any Dutch. Furthermore, I know a few English speakers who work in technical/IT jobs where Dutch is also not required. Of course, I would not want you to cease your attempts to study Dutch!

I am only mentioning these jobs because you wrote that you need to find work ASAP.

Good luck!

by **edwardjameswells** » July 16th, 2009, 5:48 pm

Might I also mention this website as a free alternative to the Rosetta Stone line of software:

http://www.taalklas.nl/

I would say that it is at least as good as, and perhaps in some ways better than Dutch levels I and II of the Rosetta Stone software, and, of course, did I mention that it's free?

by **Tom** » July 16th, 2009, 6:11 pm

I agree. The course James mentioned is similar to the Rosetta Stone. It is a good supplement. The price FREE is right! I find it quite good.

But if you really want to learn Dutch use this as a supplement. Use as many different forms of learning as you can.

Once you get jump started listen to music, watch video clips and dvds, read books (many free online) and talk to people whenever you get the chance.

Don't be afraid to start with children's books and tv shows and such. Build up slowly and be patient. It doesn't happen overnight! Trust me.

by **AppelstroopIsLekker** » July 17th, 2009, 4:29 am

I hate Rosetta Stone. I've tried it for many languages and I simply hate it. It's just rote memorization.

I don't care if the CIA and the military use it. They wouldn't have to use the software in the first place if they'd just stop throwing all their gay Arab and Farsi translators out.

by **JazzedPotato** » July 17th, 2009, 1:23 pm

Hi Natalie,

Well I don't know the Rosetta Stone as I am a native Dutch speaker but what I have heard and seen from foreign people using it, opinions were quite divided especially with respect to whether it was worth the money you need to splash out for it.

Here you can find some (free!) material online (a.o. courses) that may be quite useful for you to have a look at, in terms of getting a start in the language anyway (certainly as good as doing just the Rosetta Stone I should imagine).

viewtopic.php?p=17215&sid=06f01bcb5674b1d2a1f674c0f6518811#p17215

Also you might want to have a look here, as you can download some Dutch grammarbooks free of charge (once you have registered) to give you a solid basis:

http://uz-translations.net/?category=dutch

Tom wrote:But if you really want to learn Dutch use this as a supplement. Use as many different forms of learning as you can.

Once you get jump started listen to music, watch video clips and dvds, read books (many free online) and talk to people whenever you get the chance.

Don't be afraid to start with children's books and tv shows and such. Build up slowly and be patient. It doesn't happen overnight! Trust me.

I have to say I really agree with Tom here.

I myself am taking a similar approach to learning Spanish, and this is really working the best for me, because it is most similar to the way you would acquire a language in a natural way, i.e. by being ' exposed' to it in as many ways and facets as possible. So I would diversify as much as you can, as soon as you have acquired the basics (in words and grammar) and in building on that basis. You can do this by reading children's books or listening to easily accessible fairytales e.g. You can find some free audiobooks and ebooks amongst others here (just take the kid-stuff to begin with):

viewtopic.php?p=16819&sid=b17e2fd239a1482a9ac5e38b2cbee347#p16819

Or watch the kid-stuff in online tv programs via http://www.uitzendinggemist.nl like Tom mentioned in another topic, for instance, and listening to radio online (e.g. via http://www.nederland.fm) so you pick up quite a few words, sometimes look some up (don't try to understand all that is said right away just familiarize yourself with the language and get acquianted with it, you will find that a lot of words and expressions come back regularly and this will give you a good basis).

Also there are quite a few online reading materials freely accessible such as e.g. reading newspaper articles in de Volkskrant or NRC Handelsblad online .
I find articles in papers relatively easy to read myself (provided you don' t go into Business sections..

) because they
tend to use straightforward language with repetitive words, and still give you good access to frequently used expressions.

I hope this helps. Good luck :thumbsup:

groetjes,

- Jazzed -

by **JazzedPotato** » July 21st, 2009, 11:30 pm

Well it seems there is a new addition to the site I mentioned before where you can download e-books, grammarbooks and studymaterial for free.This time it is the Rosetta Stone Dutch version 3 (Level 1).

You can download it here, you just need to register (for free) to be able to download. Good luck

by **reitchelazan** » June 11th, 2010, 9:24 am

nataliegaynor wrote:I've just moved to The Netherlands and am trying to learn Dutch as quickly as possible to improve my chances of getting a job ASAP.
Many thanks!

Only one years and you will be speak in Dutch.

by **BeautifulLanguage** » March 18th, 2011, 9:32 pm

Wow! Talk about a lot of different opinions concerning Rosetta Stone. LOL. I realize that this an older topic, but I've actually been looking into the programs and found this to be the most useful thread. The reason I wanted to inquire is because the program IS so expensive. I wanted to know if it would be a waste of time or a worthwhile investment. I'll keep researching, but I may just go with the general consensus. Thanks a lot, guys!

Actually, I have one question to ask: Has anyone here ever used Pimsleur Approach?

by **Lisa** » January 3rd, 2012, 11:29 pm

I just checked out Pimsleur Dutch 1A &1B from the library. I love it! It goes very slow and gives you a small amount of conversation to practice each lesson.

by **ngonyama** » January 4th, 2012, 1:15 am

Don't forget that people's learning preferences vary widely and also vary with time. Young people memorize a lot easier than older ones, but older people often catch on to grammatical structures more easily, particularly if they have already learned other foreign languages. So, you have to find out what works best for you. Besides, different approaches are often complementary. I think e.g. that Pimsleur is probably very good for pronunciation and oral understanding, but you do not learn the written language at all, or even the link between the oral and the written one. If you really want to have complete demand of Dutch you eventually need both, otherwise you become somewhat of an illiterate speaker of the language.

by **spearss91** » March 2nd, 2012, 1:57 pm

If you are interested in learn "Dutch" language to get good job in the Netherland than make new friends there and speak with them...

by **Shazzy** » March 2nd, 2012, 2:58 pm

I have used rosetta stone and at the beginning it's fine but it soon becomes very boring. It's good to practice prouncation etc with and writing words but there is no real grammar attached to it. I never learnt that much from it. Then 2 years ago I studied with the Dutch Language school in Oxford, UK by correspondence and althoug the courses are still quite expensive I have learnt so much and now studying for my GCSE (uk based qualification). I think your best option would be join a class. I also have a Dutch teacher from Grongingen who is helping me over skype and she is next to none. I am sure you will be able to find a good class living in Holland.
If you want practice in writing Dutch or talking over webcam in time I would be happy to help you but I am not that brilliant yet but getting there. It's slow but worth it.

Shazzy x

by **Spacemonger** » April 30th, 2012, 12:49 am

I've gone through a bit over half of Rosetta Stone Dutch course 1, and it has a nice and clean presentation, and is helpful with learning basic things like the meanings of words etc.
It uses a lot of pictures to make you associate the words/phrases/sentences with their meaning, check out some youtube videos to see what I mean. (The videos showing the gray-style design are from old versions, the presentation looks much better now)

However, it is very poor at teaching grammar.
I like it, but I would not pay the price they are asking for it. It's waay too expensive.

by **Shazzy** » April 30th, 2012, 1:00 am

It is very expensive and does not teach you real everyday Dutch. Like I said earlier I have learnt far better with The Dutch Language school. In my opinion you are better to follow a real good grammar course and either in a class or one to one with speaking. You have a good advantage living in holland as you can hear the language around you every day. You can also learn so much on this website. I write essays etc and get them checked on here and the moderators are so good at explaining things that you do not understand to you. A lot of courses are expensive but well worth the money. I am starting my exams next week so this month will be very stressful but I am sure I will do well. I have so much more confidence in Dutch now. I am lucky as my husband speaks quite good Dutch so often we chat together.

Shazzy