subject: Rocket Italian Reviewed - Will it Actually Work? [print this page] Author: Sarah Young Author: Sarah Young
Rocket Italian is an on line Italian learning program. Does it really work?
WHAT'S INSIDE ROCKET ITALIAN?
Rocket Italian comes as a CD set or a downloadable package. The system consists of audio recordings, videos, and special software. In addition, you get access to the Learning Lounge where you can test your progress, and communicate with other users and teachers.
The idea is to teach Italian by a system known as Visual Association. "Visual association" is the same way you first learned to speak. You SAW an object and HEARD the word simultaneously. In this manner you effortlessly and quickly picked up the meanings of words. Rocket Italian aims to replicate this process with the use of audio, video, and specially designed software.
DOES IT ACTUALLY WORK?
If you are serious and willing to work with the material regularly, Rocket Italian is a very powerful way to learn to speak Italian. Ideally, you should aim to view the material for some time each day (30min to 1hr at least). The individual lessons are engineered to build on one another. Because of this, being consistent is important.
Picking up a language is much like learning to ride a bike. For the first little while you might feel that you aren't getting anywhere. If you persist, however, you will hit a point when things suddenly "fall into place". You will find yourself making sentences without effort and hearing most of the words in the audio recordings.
From there you can go on to learn more vocabulary and more advanced grammar.
IS IT FOR EVERYONE?
Some people find it hard to focus if there is no outside pressure like an upcoming "exam" or a teacher checking their "homework".
Rocket Italian is a self-paced system. It is powerful but you must provide the follow-through yourself
If you feel you might need the pressure of a class situation in order to follow through, look into a class at a local college. Keep in mind that classroom instruction will cost more and can take longer.
If you are sincere about wanting to learn Italian and are ready to put aside a little time every day, Rocket Italian can have you speaking Italian in 8-10 weeks.
