Rosetta Stone and structure

[lsolta]

thanks steve... your way of thinking is like a refreshing breeze of lucidness..

even my spanish and french teacher (I'm from Croatia) who is knighted by France for her contribution of spreading french language and culture through Croatia, she is such a terrible traditionalist and a "language fundamentalist" that I'm utterly discouraged by her forceful approach of learning...

[plutoniumseller]

That's why people study languages in school or at the university for years and years and remain beginners, communication-wise. BUT they can recite the conjugations and what not which is really useful if you want to pass tests.

[plutoniumseller]

That's why people study languages in school or at the university for years and years and remain beginners, communication-wise. BUT they can recite the conjugations and what not which is really useful if you wand to pass tests.

[xXKIMANDRYANxX]

I want to adopt you <3 this site is pretty cool i appreciate i good person like you makin sites like this yay!

[ursinodepeluche]

It depends on the type of learner on when to begin with grammar. In fact, that is very specific. Jus as you were demonstrating by the given example of learning piano, it is possible that too much theoretical contend might overwhelm a beginner, jeopardizing that she /he would loose the joy by getting the awareness of entire rules, and so on. Thanks goodness, for a first verbal conversation in a new language, too much grammar is not necessary at all. And that can be important for motivation.

[ursinodepeluche]

I agree with the issue that language learning never stops. About Rosetta S., I just caught a glimpse of Rosetta Stone a few time ago. The first impression was that it is expensive, but in fact well elaborated. Furthermore, the motivation and exigencies of individuals in terms of learning any language can be very distinctive: For instance, a tourist who just wants to get a few of the most important phrases and the basic vocabulary does not need to begin with facing any complex grammar structures.

[Albesa81]

Steve,the more i watch your videos the more i find out that you and i have similar ideas about language learning.I'm becoming more and more curious about LingQ.I think i'll point my browser there one day :-)

[lingosteve]

@Albesa81 You would be most welcome.

[LearningFrenchNow]

Steve, this is one of your best videos

[CheeseBubbles]

Personally I like to understand the basic structure first then the words. that helps me alot. but otherwise it'll just come naturally. either way it doesn't really matter. both ways work just the same. I just feel more comfortable learning the structure first.

[toktokifan]

I also agree that learning goes over pleasant ways of practice - over and over, hell yeah. Although it also takes motivation, but for the folks who are interested in Your vids, it won't be a problem, I'm sure.

[tmlohood]

I am writing about using songs to learn vocabulary in a kindergarten classroom at a dual immersion school. Do you have any recommendation for me? Are there any books or article where I can find important information about this topic?

Juan

[lingosteve]

I have not read any books but I think it is an excellent idea. Let the kids have fun. Help them to notice the words and phrases and sounds. But do not expect them to speak unless they want to. If they like listening good. If they want to sing great, but it need not be a condition. And don't test them!

[tmlohood]

Just wonderful. I have learned more about learning a language watching your videos than reading the theories from books. Thank you for sharing your reflections around this topic.

Juan

[lingosteve]

Thank you for the kind words.

[Mesija1]

I think that grammar and vocab should be learnt simultaneously. Maybe, start learning the words first in order to get involved with the language, its phonetics and simply get to be interested in it. At least that is how I start learning a language...

[lingosteve]

Let's just say that I completely disagree. Words first then grammar.

[OleYanks]

I think you need to know the grammar first. I used Rosetta Stone to learn German. Once I got further into it I got lost with the grammar because it didnt really make it clear until I took a German class, then it all came to me. Once you have the structure, its free sailing from there.

[rsherfan]

That's right. Grammar is required when constructing new sentence stuctures but is not required for understanding. Grammar is very important, but it is overly pushed initially. Initially, the bulk of langauge acquisition and silent period is served via massive exposure to lots of content. Grammar is more important near the end of acquisition, it is used to create the impression of "perfect" acquisition... as by this time the assimilation method becomes less and less progressive and less efficient

[NV417]

RS is overrated.

[gutaraneko]

great video! I wish it were in Japanese for my students.

[coolsteven2]

I like learning the alphabet, what it sounds like, what it looks like, and how it works. it just makes learning ALOT easier, because when i watch tv, its very easy to distinguish the subject, the verbs and etc. (I hate Rosetta Stone, its pretty useless.... its starts with things that you won't use that often -_-) I love learning random vocabulary xD i remember it better. And as soon as i learn something... I HAVE TO USE IT, or it'll fall out of my head. i am playing this online game where ther..

[coolsteven2]

are people who are from ALL countries! Brazil, France, Peru, China, all over =D Its exciting.

[1DeepThinker]

I wish they'd make some of the courses free because me and my friend are 13 and can't pay for it!! That's the annoying thing about all decent language learning websites/software it's always expensive.

[zocurtis]

It is free, you just have to know where to look. But don't tell anyone I said that.

[coolsteven2]

hehe yup ^_^

[stockshunter]

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[zocurtis]

So ummm, yeah... what's the deal with all the binary?

[rraassll]

I think you are right about listening naturally. Me as ESL student I started just listening to English all the time and now when I decided to go to English school, I found myself speaking very fluently although I am not very good in writing. Just something to add here that this way of learning take long time compare with text-book based learning.

[alkrasnov18]

At first, when I only started studying languages, I always emphasized grammar. Eventually, recently I started increasing vocabulary, and noticed that indeed at some point something clicks in the brain, and you get the feel of the language.

As for Rosetta Stone, many people say it's good for vocabulary, but there are way cheaper method to learn vocabulary than to pay 500 dollars!

[shearoberts]

This is exactly how I started learning Japanese. I just studied a lot of vocabulary words through context and just listened. I'm just now getting into the rhythm of structure, after a long time, however it comes so much easier knowing the words that go between...it's like a flood gate has opened in my mind...all that built up and untapped knowledge is now flowing!

[yuriythebest]

I think it's all down to personal taste, especially what the person enjoys and feels comfortable with. Is rosetta stone extremely good or bad - in my opinion it's mediocre- it did teach me some japanese vocab that I still remember, like basic numbers/counting. By your description Pimsleur is structured as well, but I really like the way it teaches and the practice it provides (all be it rudimentary stuff), I plan to someday "graduate"to lingQ from pimsleur/thomas I'm sure doing em won't hurt :)

[paulinobrener]

oh. so you WERE in San Diego? oh! too bad I didn't know. We could have met for lunch or something!