As a follow up to the free trial (free Rosetta Stone Irish Trial Here: http://www.facebook.com/RosettaStone?sk=app_23744633048) thread and my former post re: Mícheál Ó Siadhail, I am curious if anyone has ever finished Rosetta Stone and what Level they got too?

I had a trial last night and I understood most things in Level 3, don't get me wrong I really loved the program, this method of learning really works for me. But I am at lower intermediate level Irish, and if I can get most things on Level 3 I have to question just what level you will come out with, and given the price is it really worth it?

So, anyone gone all the way through and completed it? What were your results? It's possible I was just lucky in the sections available in the trial.

I did all three levels from scratch as an advanced intermediate speaker to start. There were things I learned (or understood better) when I was done, even from level 1 (some new vocab, some grammar). I considered it money well spent, even if I did already know most of the vocab and a lot of grammar going into it.

The software comes with licenses for two computers (five users each). If you go in on it with a friend, you cut the software costs in half AND pick up a study buddy.

I have Rosetta stone and finished all of level 1 and the first unit of level 2. I'm definately a beginner. Until the release of V4 TOTALe I didn't think it was worth the money but TOTALe changed it. It added a social aspect to learning the language. Instead of just describing what you see in the picture they show you actually would interact with other people, some fluent speakers and some people that are also learning.

I've said this before but I think it is a really good tool for helping you study the language. It is well structured and the new V4 adds being able to actually use what you're learning (which is good if you are in an area without many speakers). However, people shouldn't be under the impression that they will buy the software, go through all the lessons in a few months and go from no Irish to fluent Irish. It's just another learning aide.

Cheers, Yeah I think it's a great product alright, but if it doesn't bring me to basic fluency I don't see the fee as worth it. I guess at advanced speaker you could already converse fairly well? Speaking is my biggest weakness and if I did stump up the cashola I'd want to know it'll get me to a level where I can converse everyday conversations in most settings

"get me to a level where I can converse everyday conversations in most settings"

I would say it does that depending on your definition of converse. Can you have typical and useful exchanges with people about all sorts of everyday situations? Yes. Will RS help you converse for ten to fifteen minutes about that party or hobby or career? No; that would be unrealistic for any method other than immersion or [maybe] years of face-to-face classes. The grammar and vocabulary involved in even something simple like that (not only to formulate your own statements, but to understand all possible vocabulary and accents your conversation partner might use) is staggering; something we rarely think about when conversing in our native languages.

My only fault with it is the reliance on passive voice constructions until very late in the game. I think they do it as a matter of course because it winds up easier for many languages, but I could see how it would stump a beginner in Irish.

Tigim anois. I think I'll leave it be then, for the price of six month online subscription I can do a course in Conradh na Gaeilge which I think would be more of a benefit to the speaking based on what ye've said.