I have been living in South Korea for just over 4 years, and I have tried different ways to learn Korean. Self-study with books, classroom study at a university, and Rosetta Stone.
I think it goes without saying that studying at a university was the most effective way to study Korean. However, it isn't the most useful for me because it doesn't work with my schedule. Most Korean courses offered in Seoul are intensive and classes are often (not always) offered in a 9am-1pm schedule, Mon~Fri. I've known friends who tried to manage this while working full time here, and I haven't met anyone who didn't give up after a certain amount of time because they kept falling behind with their homework (due to working 8+ hours a day after 1pm). There are some universities which offer weekend courses, but again, for anyone who has ever worked a job with long working hours, sometimes the last thing you want to do on the weekend is drag yourself out of bed to get to class. I'm not saying it's impossible, but it definitely isn't for everyone.
When it comes to studying alone with textbooks, this can be good for learning grammar, vocabulary, and writing. On the other hand, it's good for those things in written form. Studying alone with a book doesn't really help you speak the language very much. It's abnormal to jump to writing in terms of a acquistion cycle. We learned our first language by first listening+repeating (babbling), then speaking, next reading, and finally writing. Jumping to the final stage isn't altogether helpful outside of a classroom.
As such, for people who have a busy schedule and know how to read and write Korean, have a basic understanding of the grammar and vocabulary, I totally recommend Rosetta Stone Version 3. I find it very helpful for myself. The early units are presented in a very formal way of speaking Korean, which may not be used everyday with people of young own age here, but it is still important to learn that language. Better to be too formal than too informal. Also, if you're busy, you caqn study when you want. Obviously, studying frequently is the best way to go, but people get busy and sometimes it's just not possible. With RS, if you don't use the program for awhile (a few weeks) when you open it next you are offered refresher lessons to remind you of what you may have forgotten. But the best part is, you're speaking. Not writing everything. I think that is what makes this program one of the best options for people who are studying alone, and who have a base knowledge of the language, and who want to improve at their own pace.
For any of you who have read this far along, thanks for the time. I really think this product is worth it if you're willing to put in the effort, but most of all, you should know how to read and write Korean before you get started (which is very easy to lear. Hangeul is one of the most accessible written languages I've ever seen). Good luck to all in their language endeavors.
Rosetta Stone V3: Korean Level 1-3 Set with Audio Companion [OLD VERSION]
3.5 | 19 ratings
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Last update: 12-17-2024
About this item
Rosetta Stone teaches you a new language naturally, by getting you to think, live and breathe the language
Innovative solutions get you speaking new words, right from the start
Rosetta Stone moves forward only when you're ready--you drive the pace, you set the schedule
With Rosetta Stone, you'll discover a foundation of key vocabulary that you'll use to build into a whole new language
Audio Companion lets you take the Rosetta Stone experience anywhere: in the car, at the gym, or on-the-go
Innovative solutions get you speaking new words, right from the start
Rosetta Stone moves forward only when you're ready--you drive the pace, you set the schedule
With Rosetta Stone, you'll discover a foundation of key vocabulary that you'll use to build into a whole new language
Audio Companion lets you take the Rosetta Stone experience anywhere: in the car, at the gym, or on-the-go
Top reviews from the United States
KibaGreat, but not for the inexperienced.
HanguphileThe Korean is wrong.
Pete