Rocket Languages Reviews

A very disappointing course. May I suggest that you review the free DUOLINGO course and try and learn from them. I have also found many errors in the text. No, I do not intend to go back through and innumerate them for you.

First of all, In the middle of exercises (as I'm trying to speak a German phrase) I get annoying popup windows asking me to write a review of Rocket German. I think that's pretty indicative of how much Rocket cares about me actually learning, an how much it just wants more business. In fact, just above this box where I'm typing, Rocket has a link to some "example reviews" which are glowing reports of how when you buy RG, all your wildest fantasies will come true. Since RG insists, though, here is my review...***

Right after I paid $250 dollars for the three German courses (the first of which I didn't even want, but you have no option to remove it from the bundle) I get directed to another page telling me I should really also buy another add-on course that normally costs $50, but they're going to give it to me for $30. Classic used-car salesman tactic. I decline. I'm directed to another page saying "Ok, we'll give it to you for $20, but only if you buy it right now. No kidding, this is your last chance!" Does it get any more sleazy than that?***

The German course was clearly written by native German speakers, which is good, but not really checked by a native English speaker for the quality of the English dialogue.

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The conversations to listen, follow along with, and repeat after, are pretty good and based in some realistic contexts. They were fine. Also, some of the explanations during the text-based lessons were decent explanations. My main issues are with thereview, the study flashcards, listening and repeating, typing the sentences, then repeating them with only the translation. It felt less like trying to figure out what it was, and instead more on how much I could remember of the sentence or what I could memorize, and after about 45 days it gets old feeling like the only practice after the initial flashcards is memorization of sentences. It would be good to see some variations in those sentences for the flashcards, then the listening and repeat, then typing, then saying it. They could still use the same words maybe and have the overall vibe of the lesson, but when they're all the same exact sentences in the same exact order for four reviews in a row then it isn't really working towards figuring out what to say.

Overall, I understand the structure of the course, but it seems like many aspects, especially in testing, are done by a cookie-cutter algorithm which makes some really critical mistakes.

First, some technical issues. I use Chrome, as recommended, and there are a few things missing. Most notably, the on-screen Korean keyboard is not there. Also, I often do not have the button to mark a Writing lesson as completed. Finally, unlike in the app, there is no way for me to cut a voice recording off if I wish to restart, which often means waiting quite a while for the program to try to sort through gibberish.

Now, for the "cookie-cutter" aspect that bothers me. Frequently in the Audio lessons, the native speakers will say something that was not part of the lesson. This is fine, except that these phrases get put in the testing sections. For example, in the very first lesson there are introductions of the two native speakers. One says that he served in the Korean Marine Corps, then was discharged and migrated to the United States with his parents. He says this in Korean. This is a great way to get acquainted with the sound of the language. However, then this phrase comes up in the testing section of the exam.

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Almost 2 months in, I've requested a refund. I hate this ridiculously juvenile course.

I hate this course so passionately. It's juvenile, stupid "silly" and so so SO annoying. I literally do not understand how any adult could do this course. I cannot stand the banter with Amy for another second. Does irritation, annoyance, and flat-out anger increase retention? If so maybe Rocket Spanish is on to something...but I want to shake the people leaving positive reviews and ask them what the WHAT is wrong with them. I beg you, do the free trial lesson of whatever level, and if you're annoyed with all the English stupidity, know that it does NOT get better. It does not decrease. It will only get worse. If you love Amy's voice, speaking in English, and want to listen to her kid around, this course is for you. OR...if you don't care about the audio lessons. I think buried in this course is some good content. And I know it's not meant to be audio-only. But the audio is THAT bad. Just don't do it. Maybe do it high or something. Might be tolerable. Probably not.

The sexism is very irritating--the male character constantly sexualizes his Italian co-host.

It would be helpful to be able to fast forward/ be able to review the lessons --the ratio of chitchat to content is off. Less of Alessandro and more formal grammar explanations would be great.

rocket languages .... not bad but it help me find more informations about languages...and its awesome.... ^^
must improved you self..... Fighting :D
and also be proactive ... communications is important to tight our relationship between another people...

The product is not working and is confusing. The price is okay but some parts are working fine and others are the most horrible thing that is possible is that the "Play it part" is not working and is not compatible my computer and that is causing problems with the learning experience. I would not recommend it to a friend especially with quality headphknes

I couldn't get into it as I am at a more advanced level and I could find much in my trial edition. I never signed up to pay because of that. I didn't use customer service and can't really say about the price and I don't remember what it was. I'm guessing it would be okay if I had seen that the program was helpful in the trial. It would help to have a more helpful trial version.

the audio recognition needs work. Also stop asking me to review every six times i record a word.