Actively forming new phrases not part of Rocket Italian?

Hi!
I just started looking through Italian Level 1 - I'm not a complete beginner but was curious to find the right lesson for me to jump in, and also wanted to check out the teaching techniques used.
Now I have to admit that I was very surprised. There are example conversations that are repeated over and over and over again until the student knows them by heart and can repeat them word by word. However, the content doesn't seem to get practiced at all by applying it to new words, in new sentences.
For me, that seems to be by far the most important part of language learning: If I can't form a sentence by myself, even if it's just a very short and simple one, all my theoretical language skills are for nothing…
I saw that there are also specific grammar lessons, but they just seem to flood the student with explanations without actually putting them into practice and forming new phrases or sentences with the newly learned rules. Instead of e.g. introducing verb endings one by one, always making sure that the student is able to actively use them before adding the next one, they are all introduced in one swoop and just assumed to be magically known from there onwards.
So my question is: Is this going to change in later lessons, and simply not used for complete beginners, or does Rocket Italian consider repeating fixed conversations word by word the better teaching method than actively forming new phrases that did not appear in the example conversation?
Cheers,
Hendrik

Hi Hendrik

I'd be interested in the views of others. I'm on module 10/level 2 and find that Rocket is doing an excellent job of drumming in grammar (which I have always loathed) and vocabulary.  This is done by layering repitition of both aspects, lesson-by-lesson.  Obviously, revision of previous lessons becomes ever important, spaced repition-wise.  As a result, I am constructing my own sentences in the rehearsing of my own conversations.  It's a slow journey with languages, but it's working.

Chris

HI Hendrik

My take on Rocket is that it is by far the best resource around. I find the grammar tedious, as most of us probably do. No language program will teach you everything, So I use different resources to supplement. What I really love about Rocket is that there is an amazing amount of oral practice. I have found some words and sentences difficult to say and almost tongue twister like. As I have said those phrases or words over and over again, they eventually feel more natural and flow easily. That is what I want out of this program, to be able to speak easily and with confidence, and I think I will achieve that eventually. 

Sebongela

So does that mean it doesn't change in later lessons? You can confirm that Rocket Italian never makes you form new words/phrases/sentences? Then it's literally not an Italian course, it's just a “learning a number of conversations by heart” course. Sure you can practice your pronunciation of those conversations, but you can't learn to “speak easily” that way unless you want to recite those conversations to strangers… I'm honestly shocked. Learning a language is 100% about learning how to say what YOU want to say…

Check “Language Transfer” for an introduction to Italian that teaches you to speak freely. I was kind of hoping to find something similar here, except at a higher production value and with more levels.

Hi Hendrik

ChrisM108 recomended language transfer and it is an amazing resource. He has suggested several different sites and I reiterate that no language program covers everything. Several sites available that give you prompts to write and make up your own sentences. One has got to start somewhere and I personally have found that Rocket has given me the grounding to be able to make up sentences on my own. And no I do not intend reciting conversations like a pet parrot, but it has given me an very good idea how I would go about having a conversation. So if you have questions I suggest you ask the production team. It is nver one size fits all. Once again using different resources helps rounding out any program. 

I have already stated that Rocket does enable users to formulate their own phrases/constructions.  A definitive “yes” to your question.  As sebongela states, we are both advocates of the no-brainer that multiple resources are essential in learning a second etc language, and I have been using Language Transfer for years with Italian and Spanish.  I have studied languages over forty years (including Japanese, Spanish, French, Italian and Latin) and in my opinion, Rocket does the best job of teaching second language acquistion of any tool I have purchased, including Rosetta Stone and Linguaphone plus other products.  Fundamentally though, any expectation of any one tool providing all a user needs will lead to disappointment, for sure.  

Hi Chris M108

I agree Rocket does allow you to formulate your own sentences, but you have to initiate it. Doesn't do it for you. Having said that haven't come across a language program that does. Currently using Rocket and Babbel for German and Italian, but have used Busuu, Rosetta, Memrise, Duolingo none of them do. At the end of the day I still think you have to initiate that. Language Transfer makes me think on my feet. Other than going to a language school used Alliance Francaise and that made me converse, as I guess most language schools do. Still will stand by that Rocket is amazing. 

Been very laid back this week. Been on one of the smaller islands around Vancouver Island, so been taking it easy. Been a great break, but am ready to get into the grammar challenge again. 

Happy learning

Sharon

Taking the German very slowly, as am still concentrating mainly on Italian

This site might be good for you to use - 

http://www.smartphrase.com/index.shtml

It allows for a sentence to be generated in Italian, and then you translate it into English. It has the answer at the bottom. It might help with drills.

Hi jamesP69 

Will look at it thanks 

Sebongela

Thanks, JamesP69 - that's a practical resource, now bookmarked!

Grazie

Chris