Rosetta Stone Russian Explorer

We all learn our childhood language by associating new words and phrases with the world around us. The Rosetta Stone method replicates this process by presenting vivid, real-life images to convey the meaning of each new phrase. Instead of translating, memorizing, and studying rules of grammar, you actually learn to think in the new language. Vocabulary and grammar are integrated systematically, leading to everyday proficiency. It's the natural way to learn.

The Rosetta Stone Explorer contains 22 lessons for beginning learners with nearly 900 real-life images and phrases spoken by native speakers. It develops all key language skills--listening comprehension, reading, speaking, and writing--while its systematic structure teaches vocabulary and grammar naturally, without lists and drills. Includes previews, exercises, and tests for every lesson, with automated tutorials throughout the program. (Ages 6 and older)

Again, this is great software but you won't acheive any level of fluency with the abbreviated programs. But since the larger programs are extremely expensive, it's a good way to see if you like the system before you take the big plunge and spend the bucks on the full courses.


Great deal on fantastic software   January 6, 2004
Suzanne Demitrio (NYC Area, USA)
10 out of 10 found this review helpful

As other reviewers have noted, this is the only language learning software series worth buying. It's very, very good. You really do learn to think in the new language from the beginning. I have only one quibble with this Russian version: you'll need to learn the Cyrillic alphabet, and obtain a keyboard chart, on your own, or else you'll be stymied by the writing exercises. (I called Rosetta's help desk, and they told me that other versions of the software had onscreen keyboard maps, but this one does not.)

The "Russian Explorer" package comes with two additional happy surprises. First, along with the 22 lessons of Russian you paid for, you get a free sampler of introductory lessons in the twenty-five other languages Rosetta Stone offers. Even better, you get a coupon for a very substantial discount (you come out ahead) when you're ready to purchase the next levels of Rosetta Stone software. And you will: it's addictive. You can't go wrong by starting with the Explorer.


Well Conceived Sampler   August 15, 2003
Geoffrey F. Arnold (Hillsboro, Oregon USA)
17 out of 17 found this review helpful

I reviewed many "beginner" systems and found this one to be the better choice for me. It introduces you to the Language in much the same way you learned your native language, visually and audibly. The words are there, too. I am half way through this "sampler" (you are given 22 lessons, which have four layers each) and find it very enjoyable. As you learn to speak, you also learn to read, too. A technique I am employing is to daily go through every lesson from the beginning, advancing every few days to the next lesson as I feel I've begun to absorb and retain the material to which I am exposed. To me, repetition is key to retention and comprehension. Pronunciation improves with each pass, retention improves with each day, and my ability to identify the subject(s) improves with each pass. However, be advised that this is not all there is to learning languages; I also have printed materials with which I work as well. Is it the better system of the few quality offerings? I can only speak from my experience. My Russian friend says I'm doing pretty well for what I know thus far. As my goal is to be able to have decent literacy in Russian within six months, I am confident I can attain it with the help of the Rosetta Stone system (beyond the Explorer sampler).


A good beginning to Russian   July 7, 2000
Wendy Z. Kryuchkova (Sparks, NV United States)
23 out of 24 found this review helpful

Before using this software I thought of Russian as being really "hard" to learn. Thanks to Rosetta Stone I was learning without noticing it. I would learn words the same way a child would. By associating the word with the picture of what it represents instead of translating it. I haven't gone through all the exercises but I am pretty happy so far. I wish they included a handbook as a guide for the beginners but it is not bad. I recommend it.