Alternatives to Rosetta Stone
- Thread starter mx=headroom
- Start date
I've used Anki and liked it- I have it on my phone, and I've found it helpful to refresh while I have some time to spare like waiting in a line (anytime you'd usually be playing some game on your phone).
For your kid (and you and wifey) I would also recommend cartoons and kids shows- usually the language in these is a little bit slower, and simpler, and yet uses a natural casual speech pattern- as opposed to something like Muzzy or lessons that are specifically to teach you the language. Muzzy's great but every one talks like they are reading out of a text book ("I am pretty. I am mean. I am the king. I am Muzzy. This is our castle." etc), while a cartoon will read more like how normal people talk every day.
You could probably try buying German elementary primer books online, just like they have workbooks for elementary school children here.
For your kid (and you and wifey) I would also recommend cartoons and kids shows- usually the language in these is a little bit slower, and simpler, and yet uses a natural casual speech pattern- as opposed to something like Muzzy or lessons that are specifically to teach you the language. Muzzy's great but every one talks like they are reading out of a text book ("I am pretty. I am mean. I am the king. I am Muzzy. This is our castle." etc), while a cartoon will read more like how normal people talk every day.
You could probably try buying German elementary primer books online, just like they have workbooks for elementary school children here.
here are tim ferriss's recommendations on how to learn a language as fast as possible...from brian callen's podcast:
# How to Learn Any Language (Taken from Bryan Callen Podcast)
1) michelle thomas original tapes
2) vised.com high frequency flashcards (top 1000 words), any language (these can be had free online with certain flashcard programs like anki)
3) memrise.com cool site with lots of stuff/courses
4) assimil - a collection of dialogue, different conversations....huge leg up
5) duolingo app - first and only language startup he's an investor in
# How to Learn Any Language (Taken from Bryan Callen Podcast)
1) michelle thomas original tapes
2) vised.com high frequency flashcards (top 1000 words), any language (these can be had free online with certain flashcard programs like anki)
3) memrise.com cool site with lots of stuff/courses
4) assimil - a collection of dialogue, different conversations....huge leg up
5) duolingo app - first and only language startup he's an investor in
That's pretty much how I learned English.. Mostly South Park, so that might have also slightly altered my sense of humor.
All of your posts are starting to make sense now, lol.
I can think of at least 2 of my friends that learned English this way. Their grammar and pronunciation is significantly better than my friends that learned from traditional school too.