I recently got Rosetta Stone Irish as an early birthday present (my real birthday being in the middle of this month) and I absolutely love it so far. With very little in the way of speaking practice and interaction in my area, the program is a godsend. It was definately what I was lacking all the years I have been studying thus-far.

This may not be true for everyone, but I'm very much a "show and tell" learner. I like to be more hands-on, and the program definately does that...only using English in the interface and few instructions. The lessons themselves exist only as Gaeilge with pictures, sound, and repetition to help the concepts sink in without any need for your brain to translate from your mother tongue.

I know I'm probably reiterating some of the things they boast about on the Rosetta Stone site, but I really do like it, and I'm excited to continue with the program. Of course, I will still have all my little dicationaries and my Learning Irish book and reading practice with articles from "Beo!" and other publications to supplement my learning, but I believe this could really be a breakthrough for me. And I'm hopeful that fluency is around the corner!

Thanks for listening to me stand on my soapbox (lol).

Go raibh maith agaibh!

I was really interested in Rosetta Stone a few months ago. The price tag is a little intimidating and so I have been trying to use a free online textbook-like learning method. I believe I am also more of a "show and tell" learner as you put it. Although you recieved it for your birthday, would you think the price is worth it? And at what pace are you learning? and how often and how long do you use it? Thanks for the help!

Oh, it's no problem, a óseanacháin.

The person who bought it for me for my birthday took advantage of the 5 payment plan that they have. It makes it so much more affordable! I was a little wary of it and asked several questions of the support staff on the Rosetta Stone site before we bought it. The first payment is 1/5 of the price plus the tax for it. You won't be charged tax or interest on any other payment you make. Then you just pay the remaining 1/5s each month until it is paid off...and you get the software right away after the first payment with free shipping in the US. (Now I sound like an info-mercial...lol) :)

But that was my experience with it. Not to mention, the software will install and register on two separate computers so you and a friend can go halfsies with it if you wanted...though only one headset comes with it.

I really do think the money is work it, and the payment plan definately makes it more affordable than it would be otherwise. As far as my pace, I think it is a pretty good pace...not too fast, but definately moving. I currently am using the program and doing the lessons about 1+ hours a day, usually between 1-2 hours. That much time is just because I get so into it and I'm excited about it. I could see people using it maybe 30 minutes to an hour a day as well.

And I will say, that even though the idea of starting at the very basics (again! lol) sounds boring...there are things even in the first few lessons that I found new to me. The idioms are right there from the beginning, so there is definately more genuine Gaeilge and none of that "translated English."

Let me know if I can answer any more questions!
Slán