Quit Waisting Your Money on Rosetta Stone

Throw out your Spanish edition of Rosetta Stone; you’re not going to learn anything anyway. I know, the reduced price of $229 for a 24-month subscription seems like a great steal, but are you truly going to play that every day to learn a language? Or will you somehow wander your way to the next Facebook article on “The Best Bakery in Your State”? Well here are three tips to accomplish your long-time goal of learning a language:

1.    Attend Classes

Classes are a great way to learn a language as you have a real person instructing you, who can give you clarification of any grammar rules and can answer questions right there. In class, you also have your peers to work with and struggle with. While some classes may be just as expensive as Rosetta Stone, taking classes through a community college may be cheaper. Also, some counties and parishes may offer language courses for adults in the afternoon. In St. Charles Parish, you can participate in the eight sessions of Beginners Conversational French for only $160. Now that is a steal!

2.    Converse with fluent speakers

This option is completely free! (Unless you have to pay for friends, then you might just stick with number 1) Speaking with people that are fluent in the language is very beneficial once you get the basics down. You can learn the slang and how fast paced the language is. Also, if you don’t have friends who speak a second language (or friends in general), you can contact a facility that teaches English as a second language. This way you can talk in English, and the other person can speak in their native language, and you two can figure out what each other are saying. This option forces you to not only understand the other person but to make a new friend.

3.    Take an Overdue Vacation

If you’re okay with dropping your cash on Rosetta Stone, you might as well throw it in the trash bin. Put your money into a vacation instead! While some vacations aren’t exactly cheap, you can find reasonably priced long term vacation spots to learn a language. Immersing yourself in the culture of the language you are learning is an ideal option as you have access to locals who can fluently speak the language and not to mention, everything around you is written in that language as well. You also get to have some fun on the side as you can experience authentic cuisines and excursions.  

So, with these tips, show me the money in your bank account or in that tropical vacation you’re planning and learn a new language today!

By: Elise Brown

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