The 2015 Edition - soft launch!

Bonjour tout le monde !

We get a lot of feedback about just how much Rocket Languages has helped people achieve their language learning goals. However, we aren't the sort of company to rest on it's laurels...

In fact we have been very busy working away behind the scenes to make all of our Rocket Languages courses work even better and provide you with the best learning experience possible.

To that end I am really pleased to announce the release of the 2015 Edition of Rocket Languages for desktop computers and laptops. All for free for existing members (note that the iOS and Android apps will be updated as well in early 2015).

So, what's new?

Well, some of it you can see and some of it you may not notice straight away;

• A lot of the improvements have been made to the way that the code that drives the courses works, so you should be getting really fast page loads.
• We have revamped the navigation to make it more user friendly
• A lot of smaller improvements have been made to improve the user experience
• And, the main thing that we have done is add in Module Tests...

We have had a lot of feedback about the Testing that is available on each lesson, and a few people have suggested that we have a summary test at the end of each section or Module of the course.

So, that's what we have done!

If you go to your Dashboard you will see larger round icons between each section or module of lessons. Click on one of those and you will be taken to the Rocket Tests page.

On the Rocket Tests page you have the ability to test yourself on the Module in question. You will get tested using Hear it Say it!, Write it!, Know it! and the Quizzes, with all questions, words and phrases drawn from within the lessons in that Module.

We have also aligned the lessons with the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for Languages levels.

Of course we have non-European languages but the CEFR levels are still fairly applicable to all the languages that we have (except Sign Language).

What's happening in 2015?

The short answer is... a lot! Including;

• Rocket Spanish and Rocket French members may have noticed the live tutor sessions that have been available in the members area for the last month or two. Due to the positive feedback that we have received about our tutors, we are looking to expand this pilot program.
• The iOS and Android apps are going to have a heap more functionality added to bring them in line with recent changes to the members area.
• And, Rocket Russian is due out in Feb/Mar 2015!

So, enjoy the changes and let us know what you think of the new Module Tests!

Au revoir

Jason Oxenham
CEO & Co-founder
Rocket Languages Ltd

Hi all - Thanks for the feedback. Yes, Robert is correct, you can get to the My Badges page by clicking on your current badge.

Within the next week or so we will be adding in Rocket Certificates for those that complete a section of Module Tests. Once you successfully complete the (usually) 4 Module Tests you will be emailed out an achievement certificate.

Hi Leonard - Yes, there is a bug there. We are working on it right now!

Thanks Stefanie! Glad you like it.

Hi Grahame - I think this is a downloading issue. As each track is downloaded as it is played there can be a lag if the internet connection is unstable or the track is a large one. If you just wait then it should auto-play. We are working on a way to better indicate what is happening.

Hi Aurora - The live tutors have proved very popular! We are working on a solution so that we don't use Skype and instead we have the tutors using the members area to communicate. I will keep everyone posted once we have a solution in place.

Hi Jason - Thanks for the info. We are looking at a few options. Ideally, the solution we use will integrate tightly with the members area, so Hangouts may not be the best option. We will look into it though.

Hi all - As of yesterday, members who complete a row of Rocket Module Tests will get a Certificate of Achievement emailed to them. As mentioned in my original post, the achievement levels are roughly based on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) and the certificates reflect that. Happy learning!

Hi all - A quick update; the issue with certain special characters displaying incorrectly should be fixed, as should the loading delay that was happening with the odd phrase. 

And we are working on adding the ability to save a Test part-way through, and a method of displaying your score for each segment of the Test e.g. Hear it Say it! = 84%. These features will be rolled out over the coming weeks!

Hi Jason - Some good ideas in there!

1. Empty hover bubbles; Tests done before our last release will have empty hover bubbles because we weren't recording that information permanently. The only way to fix that is to re-do the Test.

2. The slightly larger icon signifies that it is selected. We will look at the color scheme to see if we can make that clearer.

3. "At a minimum" typo; we will get this fixed. Good spotting!

From your last post;

1. Certificates into My Profile; We are about to release a significant forum upgrade. This item will have to go onto a wishlist.

2. CEFR references; As each set of Module Tests is not necessarily a full level of the CEFR system, I think this will cause more issues than it resolves.

3. Save option; This should be up and running.

Hi Jim - We recently put the "24 hour notice" rule in place because a few people were canceling at the last minute, meaning that the tutor has wasted their time getting ready for the lesson, setting aside time, etc.

Also, our tutors still need to be compensated for their time, I don't think it's right that the tutor or Rocket Languages is disadvantaged by last minute cancellations where the student then re-books.

I am happy to hear of any alternate options that you have, or anyone else has, about the best way to deal with last minute cancellations.