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			{{Short description\|Proprietary software for learning foreign languages and writing systems}}
	{{Infobox Software
			{{About\|the language learning software developed by ]\|the Ancient Egyptian multilingual archeological artifact which lends its name to the software company\|Rosetta Stone}}
	\| name = Rosetta Stone
			{{Infobox software
	\| logo = ]
			\| name = Rosetta Stone Language Learning
	\| screenshot = ]
	\| ~~caption~~ = Rosetta Stone ~~exercise in full-screen mode for Arabic~~		\| logo = Rosetta Stone logo.svg
			\| screenshot = Rosettastonev3.jpg
	\| author = Allen Stoltzfus, John Fairfield, and Eugene Stoltzfus
			\| screenshot_alt = Screenshot: Four photos, two of men, two of women. Two of the photos have English captions. The student decides which of the remaining two photos matches the Arabic word at the top of the screen.
	\| license = ]
			\| caption = In this screenshot of an ] lesson in Rosetta Stone v3, two of the photos have a description in Arabic. The learner decides which of the remaining two photos matches the Arabic description at the top of the screen.
	\| developer = Rosetta Stone, Ltd.
	\| ~~released~~ = ~~1999~~		\| collapsible =
			\| developer = ]
	\| latest release version = 3.3.5
	\| ~~latest release date~~ = {{~~release~~ date and age\|~~2008\|08\|25~~}}		\| released = {{start date and age\|1992}}
	\| latest ~~preview~~ version = ~~1999~~		\| latest release version = 5.0.37
	\| latest ~~preview~~ date = ~~2006~~		\| latest release date = {{Start date and age\|2014\|10\|09\|df=no}}
			\| latest preview version =
	\| operating system = ], ]
	\| ~~platform~~ =		\| latest preview date =
			\| operating system = {{Plainlist\|
	\| genre = Educational (foreign language instruction)

	\| website = http://www.rosettastone.com
			* ]
			* ]
			* ]
			* ]
			* ]
			* ]
			* ]
			* ]
			}}
			\| platform = ] on ]
			\| size = 96.4 ]
			\| language = ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ].
			\| genre = ]
			\| license = ]
			\| website = {{URL\|http://www.rosettastone.com/}}
	}}		}}
	'''Rosetta Stone''' is ] language-learning ] produced by Rosetta Stone, Ltd. Its title and its logo are an allusion to the ], an artifact inscribed in multiple languages that helped researchers to decipher Ancient Egyptian by comparing it to the Greek inscription.

			'''Rosetta Stone Language Learning''' is ], ] (CALL) ] published by ], part of the IXL Learning family of products.{{Citation needed\|reason=What is the "IXL Learning family?\|date=July 2023}} The software uses images, text, and sound to teach words and ] by ], without translation. Rosetta Stone calls its approach Dynamic Immersion.
	The Rosetta Stone software utilizes a combination of images, text, and sound, with difficulty levels increasing as the student progresses, in order to teach various vocabulary terms and grammatical functions intuitively, without drills or translation. Their method is called the '']''. The goal is to teach languages the way ]s are learned.

			The software's name and logo allude to the ] on which the ] is inscribed in three writing systems.
	==History==

	According to the company, in the 1980's, Mr. Allen Stoltzfus was frustrated with trying to learn Russian in a classroom setting and wanted to simulate his experiences learning German while in Germany. Mr. Stoltzfus found it was much easier learning German through immersion than through methods traditionally used in schools, and he wanted to use computing technology to simulate a similar learning experience. He enlisted the aid of his brother-in-law, Dr. John Fairfield, who held a PhD. in computer science. By 1992, CD-ROM technology made the project possible and they formed a company known as Fairfield Language Technologies in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Allen and John brought on Eugene Stoltzfus, Allen's brother, as company President and CEO, and released their software product under the name Rosetta Stone. In 2003, the company came under new leadership with the announcement of Tom Adams as President and CEO, a businessman with international experience. The company changed names in 2006 to Rosetta Stone, Ltd., and with it came a change from an S Corp to a C Corp and the sale to investment firms ] and Northwest Equity Partners. On September 23, 2008, Rosetta Stone Inc. filed an Initial Public Offering with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
			IXL Learning acquired Rosetta Stone in March 2021.

			==Dynamic Immersion==
			In a Rosetta Stone Language Learning exercise, the learner pairs sound or text to one of several images. The number of images per screen varies.

			For example, the software shows the learner four photographs. A native speaker makes a statement that describes one of the photographs, and the statement is printed on the screen; the learner chooses the photograph that the speaker described. In another variation, the learner completes a textual description of a photograph.

			In writing exercises, the software provides an on-screen keyboard for the user to type characters that are not in the ] or accents that may not be in their native language.

			] lessons cover ] and ]. In grammar lessons, the program firstly shows the learner several examples of a grammatical concept, and in some levels, the word or words the learner should focus on are highlighted. Then the learner is given a sentence with several options for a word or phrase, and the learner chooses the correct option.

			If the learner has a ], the software will evaluate word pronunciation using the embedded ] engine, TrueAccent.

			Each unit contains reviews of the content in those lessons, and each unit concludes with a Milestone activity, which is a simulated conversation that covers the content of the unit.

			===Scoring===
			The program immediately informs the learner whether the answer is right or wrong. Through the Preferences screen, the learner can choose whether a sound is played or not when an answer is clicked. At the bottom of the window, the program shows all the screens for the current lesson. If all answers for that screen are correct, the button for that screen turns green. If some answers are correct, the border of the button turns green, but the screen number itself turns orange. If all answers for a screen are wrong, the button turns orange. This applies to all lessons except review and Milestone lessons, which are treated as tests. In those lessons, the buttons for each screen all remain clear. In all lessons, there is a button that can be hovered over to display how many answers are correct, incorrect, or have not been answered. Each time an answer is clicked, one point is given. At the end of the lesson, the total number of correct, wrong or skipped answers is shown alongside the percentage of correct answers for that lesson. If too many questions were answered incorrectly, the program suggests the learner should retry the lesson.

			==Software versions==
			To use Rosetta Stone Language Learning, a student needs the Rosetta Stone ] and at least one level of a language pack. The latest ] of Rosetta Stone is Rosetta Stone Language Learning 5.0.13.

			Language packs also have ]s. The version number of the language pack is distinct from the version numbering scheme of the Rosetta Stone application, and a language pack is only compatible with specific versions of the application. Version 4 and 5 are ] with language packs developed for Version 3, but not older ones.<ref name="compatibility" />

			===Version 1===
			By the end of 1996, Rosetta Stone Version 1 had a selection of nine level-one language courses (Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish) and four level-two courses (English, French, German, Spanish). A CD-ROM product called The Rosetta Stone PowerPac featured introductory versions of seven of the courses.

			At this time, Fairfield Language Technologies had already begun development of the Arabic, Esperanto, Hebrew, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Swahili, Thai, and Vietnamese courses. Within a few months, the Japanese, Thai, and Vietnamese courses were complete, and development of Latin, Polish, and Welsh courses were underway. The Latin course was the next to be completed, followed by Hebrew. In this fashion, Fairfield introduced new courses to market gradually.

			Rosetta Stone Version 1 was developed for ] ] and higher, and ] and higher. Later revisions of Version 1 for Macintosh required ]. The final revision of Version 1 was v1.9.<ref name="compatibility">{{cite web \|url=http://success.rosettastone.com/articles/en_US/Text/How-do-I-know-if-my-Rosetta-Stone-Application-CD-is-compatible-with-my-Rosetta-Stone-Language-CD/ \|title=How do I know if my Rosetta Stone Application CD is compatible with my Rosetta Stone Language CD?
			\|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> \|work=Rosetta Stone Success Central \|publisher=Rosetta Stone Ltd. \|access-date=15 January 2013}}</ref>

	==Use==
	===Version 2===		===Version 2===
			At Version 2, Fairfield continued to add more language courses, but also marketed more editions of The Rosetta Stone software.
	Instruction takes the form of a unit of lessons consisting of ten groups (more in some of the later units of Level I) of four images each, with an associated word or sentence both written and spoken aloud by a native speaker of the language, except for those languages that are no longer spoken natively, such as Latin. Lesson topics range from ] concepts such as ] ] or ] to specific topics such as ]s, hot and cold and associated words or the use of ].

			The PowerPac CD-ROM introduced in Version 1 now featured basic lessons in seven languages. One complete level of a language course was now called a Personal Edition of the software.

			Because many consumers found The Rosetta Stone to be too expensive, Fairfield started a series of "Explorer" editions. An Explorer CD-ROM was a lower-cost excerpt of a Version 2 course. Each edition of the Rosetta Stone Explorer series (Japanese Explorer, Welsh Explorer, etc.) included three units (22 lessons) from Level 1. The company no longer sells Explorer editions.

			Then there was Global Traveler, a CD-ROM and ] ] package for people requiring some facility in English, French, Spanish, Italian, or German. The lessons on the CD-ROM teach words and phrases for travelers. The electronic translator was programmed with about 60,000 words and 720 phrases.

			====Compatibility====
	Within each lesson there are sets of exercises testing listening, reading, and speaking (for which the computer must have a ]). For languages using the ], there are also writing exercises. The writing exercises for non-Latin scripts use a substitute, on-screen keyboard. All sets except reading and speaking offer four exercises each; there are two reading exercises and one speaking exercise. They are identified by the software as A, B, C, D, and E.
			The Rosetta Stone v2.0.x is backward compatible with some of the later language packs for Version 1; specifically languages courses with a version number of 3.0 or 4.0.x.<ref name="compatibility" />

			The Rosetta Stone v2.1 through v2.2.x are only compatible with v6.x language courses. These versions of the language packs and software engine are neither backward compatible nor ].<ref name="compatibility" /> Language discs developed for The Rosetta Stone v2.0.x are incompatible with these later revisions of the software.
	The user is offered either text, sound or image (and later, video), to match against four possibilities. With a mark and/or sound chosen by the reader from the preferences menu, the program indicates whether the right or wrong choice was selected. A score from 0 to 100 is kept; it is visible during the exercise in practice mode but not in test mode. The first choice in a group of images nets four points for a correct answer, the second three, the third two and the last one.

			In v2.1.4.1A of The Rosetta Stone, the program began using ] software called ].
	In all units, the last lesson is a review of the previous lessons, with each predecessor represented by one group of images. There are no formal grammar guides or instructions included with the software. The only documentation is a manual with written versions of the phrases and a word index.

	===Version 3===		===Version 3===
			Rosetta Stone Version 3 is not backward compatible with language packs developed for Rosetta Stone Versions 1 or 2.<ref name="compatibility" />
	Instruction takes the form of four units per language level. Each unit is then sudivided into four core lessons. Each core lesson is approximately 30 minutes followed by sublessons. Sublessons take the form of Pronunciation, Writing, Vocabulary, Grammar, Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Reviews. At the end of each unit is a Milestone, which reviews the material covered in that unit in an interactive activity.

			Version 3 was initially released in August 2007 for ten bestselling languages, with other languages following later on.<ref>{{cite web \|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1351285/000104746908010224/a2187940zs-1.htm \|title=Registration Statement Under the Securities Act of 1933 (Prospectus) for Rosetta Stone Inc. \|author=Michael C. Wu, General Counsel \|publisher=Securities and Exchange Commission \|date=23 September 2008 \|access-date=18 August 2018}}</ref> The final revision of Version 3 is v3.4.7.r1.<ref name="compatibility" /><ref>{{cite web \|url=http://success.rosettastone.com/articles/en_US/Text/Update-Instructions-Rosetta-Stone-Version-3-Latest-Application-Versions \|title=Update Instructions: Rosetta Stone Version 3 Latest Application Versions \|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> \|work=Rosetta Stone Success Central \|publisher=Rosetta Stone Ltd. \|access-date=15 January 2013}}</ref>
	==Packages==
	Several different packages of lessons are available. The full course in each language is separated into three levels. There is only one level available for Latin. All ] packages except the homeschool version contain two ]s, one with the application software and another with the instruction. The homeschool version also consists of disks for a server program and a student management program.

	===~~Levels~~===		====Homeschool Edition====
			Homeschool Edition introduces additional features that keep track of time spent per lesson, scores achieved on lessons, lesson plans, and instructional objectives. This edition includes a supplemental CD-ROM that has workbooks, quizzes, lesson transcripts, and exams.
	All languages except Latin use the same set of words and sentences in the same order, with the same images (some of which are recycled from lesson to lesson). There are three levels of instruction, each sold separately, or they can be purchased bundled for a discount. In version two, most languages were offered with only two levels, though a few were offered in a third:

			Unlike the Personal Edition, the Homeschool Edition application does not recommend reviews. Aside from the minor differences, the homeschool edition is essentially the same as the personal edition—except for the supplemental CD with written exercises and lesson plans. The language discs in the two editions are identical and are interchangeable. Some may have 3 discs and some may have 5. Much of the information on the supplemental CD-ROM is available online from Rosetta Stone.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Updated Supplemental Education Materials \|url=http://www.rosettastone.com/homeschool/sem \|publisher=Rosetta Stone \|access-date=February 15, 2010}}</ref>
	*'''''Level 1''''' consists of eight units, starting from simple vocabulary such as "boy", "girl", "man", "woman", moving up through numbers, the past and future tenses and concluding with a unit on giving directions. Units 1 through 4 have 10 lessons plus a review lesson, units 5 through 8 have 11 lessons plus a review lesson. 92 total lessons in level 1.

			] coach talks with a student via Rosetta Studio.]]
	*'''''Level 2''''' offers units 9 through 19; however as a practical matter there are only nine units devoted to instruction since units 18 and 19 are "]" units devoted to single words having to do with a particular topic (school, nature, automobiles etc.). Level 2 units consider more advanced grammatical concepts, as well as specific subjects like ], ] and ]. These exercises also use short video clips in ] format to illustrate some verbs. Units 16 and 17 consist solely of old '']'' ]s and their captions. 118 total lessons in level 2.

			===Version 4 TOTALe===
	*'''''Level 3''''' is no longer offered on version 2 products, but when it was, it used longer video and writing passages to expand the level of instruction.
			Version 4 is backward compatible with all language packs developed for Version 3.<ref name="compatibility" />

			Rosetta Stone released Version 4 TOTALe on September 14, 2010. TOTALe is a ] comprising Rosetta Course, Rosetta Studio, Rosetta World, and TOTALe Mobile Companion. Users of the Rosetta Studio software subscribe to a service that ] them with a language ].<ref>{{cite web \|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/with-totale-rosetta-stone-brings-the-social-web-to-language-software-review/ \|title=With TOTALe, Rosetta Stone brings the social web to language software \|last=Nusca \|first=Andrew \|date=3 January 2010 \|work=] \|publisher=] \|access-date=18 January 2013}}
	In version 3, all languages have three levels, though what they cover is different; there is more of a focus on conversation and less on complex grammatical topics.
			</ref> Rosetta World is a social gaming service. TOTALe Mobile Companion is a Rosetta Stone ] for ] and ] devices.

			With Version 4, Rosetta Stone adds stricter copy protection measures.
	*'''''Level 1''''' consists of four units, each with four thirty-minute lessons and a number of five to fifteen minute activities. The level, which is supposed to "build a foundation of fundamental vocabulary and essential language structure," takes about 24 hours to complete following Rosetta Stone's recommended course. Starting from simple vocabulary such as basic greetings, "boy", "girl", "man", and "woman", moving up through numbers, comparisons, adjectives, nouns, future tense, and telling time. Each unit also contains a ten-minute simulated conversation called a "Milestone."<br>The four units in Level 1 are: The Basics, Friends and Family, Work and School, and Shopping.

			=== Rosetta Stone Language Learning 5.0.13 ===
	*'''''Level 2''''' offers units 5 through 8, for a total of about twenty-four hours designed to teach you to "navigate your surroundings as you build on the vocabulary and essential language structure in Level 1." More grammar is covered, including past and future tenses, and imperative forms. Topics such as giving directions, writing letters, workplace terms, apologies, discussing emotions, and criticizing art are also covered. As in Level 1, each unit is followed by a ten-minute "Milestone."<br>The four units in Level 2 are: Travel, Past and Future, Friends and Social Life, and Dining and Vacation.
			Rosetta Stone released Version 5 on October 9, 2014. The notable changes are the change in brand name ("Rosetta Course" has become "Language Training"), a new interactive demo is built into the application based on user feedback and a new minimalist UI with no beveled edges or drop shadows.

			The software is offered in three variants.
	*'''''Level 3''''' offers the final four units (9 through 12), which are supposed to help "connect with the world around you by building on the language fundamentals and conversational skills you developed in Levels 1 and 2." In addition to expanding upon grammar learned in Levels 1 and 2, Level 3 teaches more in depth vocabulary, including botanical terms, culinary terms, how to express detailed opinions and judgments, and how to discuss politics, religion, and business. As in the first two levels, each unit contains a ten-minute "Milestone" activity in which the user participates in a simulated conversation.<br>The four units in Level 3 are: Home and Health, Life and World, Places and Events, and Talking About the World.

			====Rosetta Stone Language Learning CD-ROM====
	===Other packages===
			* The core Language Training lessons, up to five levels for certain languages in CDs.
	*An '''''Explorer''''' package consisting basically of the first three units from Level I was available for a much cheaper price than the full Level I. This product is no longer available from the publisher.
			* Audio Companion CDs that supplement your Course lessons. These can be played on CD or MP3 players.
			* A USB headset with microphone that is configured for speech recognition technology.
			* A three-month trial of Online Subscription.
			* the software can be installed on up to 2 computers, for use by up to 5 household members.

			====Rosetta Stone Language Learning Download====
	*A '''''Traveler''''' version, consisting of several lessons focusing on basic terms as well as vocabulary important for travel, was produced in the late 1990s and is no longer available.
			* The core Language Training lessons, up to five levels for certain languages.
			* Instant download (language packs in rsd format) right after the purchase.
			* A three-month trial of Online Subscription.
			* it can be installed on up to 2 computers, for use by up to 5 household members.

			====Online Subscription====
	*Free Demos are available directly from Rosetta Stone, Ltd.
			* Full access to all Language Training levels for your respective language.
			* Games & Community.
			* Mobile Apps: Full access to apps no matter what flavor you prefer: Language Companion, Language Training, and Live Tutoring.
			* Access to Online features is limited to one user age 13 and up.
			* A constant internet connection is required.
			'''Compatibility'''

			The standalone boxed version of the software unfortunately no longer runs on Modern operating systems due to most browsers dropping support for Adobe Flash. Fortunately, flash support can be emulated by installing an open-source browser extension called Ruffle (<nowiki>https://ruffle.rs/</nowiki>) for Chrome-based or latest Edge browsers. TOTALe version 4 does not launch, even with the flash emulation, so you also need to upgrade to version 5 (<nowiki>https://archive.org/details/rosetta-stone-totale-5.0.37-win</nowiki>).
	*'''''Audio Companion''''' was released on June 9, 2008 and reinforces what is learned using the computer software. It is portable and is played on a CD or MP3 player.

	==Languages==		=== Discover Languages ===
	The following languages are available as of January 2009:

			Rosetta Stone's Discover Languages is an app currently only available on Xbox One. It is very different from the traditional design, involving a virtual world and more of a focus on games in order to appeal more strongly to game playing audiences. The only languages currently supported are English and Spanish.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Learn Spanish and English on your Xbox One with the new Rosetta Stone app \|url=http://www.winbeta.org/news/learn-spanish-and-english-your-xbox-one-new-rosetta-stone-app \|publisher= WinBeta\|access-date=March 24, 2015}}</ref>
	{\| class="wikitable"

			{{Clear right}}

			==Language courses==
			{{As of\|2024\|10}}, there are 25<ref>https://www.rosettastone.com/</ref> Language Training courses offered by Rosetta. Each language course requires either its own language pack, offered through CD-ROMs or downloads, or online subscription.

			{\| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center; width: auto; table-layout: fixed;"
	\|-		\|-
			! Language
	! Version 3
			! Version of Language Pack
	<sup>As of January 13th, 2009</sup>
			! Update Version
	!colspan="2"\|Version 2
			! Level 1
			! Level 2
			! Level 3
			! Level 4
			! Level 5
			! Audio Companion
			! CD-ROM
			! Download
			! Online Subscription
	\|-		\|-
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			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{no}}
			\| {{no}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| 3 – 36 months
	\|-		\|-
	\| ]		\| {{rh}} \| ]
			\| v3.7.x.x.rx
	\|		\|
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{no}}
			\| {{no}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| 3 – 36 months
	\|-		\|-
			\| {{rh}} \| ]
	\| ]
			\| v3.7.5.2.r2
	\|		\|
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{no}}
			\| {{no}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| 3 – 36 months
	\|-		\|-
			\| {{rh}} \| ]
	\| ]
			\| v3.7.5.2.r2
	\|		\|
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{no}}
			\| {{no}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| 3 – 36 months
			\|-
			\| {{rh}} \| ]
			\| v3.7.6.2.r4
			\| v3.7.6.2.r10
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| 3 – 36 months
			\|-
			\| {{rh}} \| ]
			\| v3.7.5.2.r2
			\| v3.7.6.2.r10
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{no}}
			\| {{no}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| 3 – 36 months
			\|-
			\| {{rh}} \| ]
			\| v3.7.5.2.r2
			\|
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{no}}
			\| {{no}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| 3 – 36 months
			\|-
			\| {{rh}} \| ]
			\| v3.7.5.2.r2
			\| v3.7.6.2.r10
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{no}}
			\| {{no}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| 3 – 36 months
			\|-
			\| {{rh}} \| ]
			\| v3.7.5.3.r5
			\| v3.7.6.2.r10
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{no}}
			\| {{no}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| 3 – 36 months
	\|-		\|-
	\| ]
	\|
	\|}		\|}

			{{refbegin}}
	==U.S. military and U.S. government usage==
			* {{note\|a\|a}} ] is a ] used in the Middle East and north Africa, but it is not a ]. See also ].
	The ] began offering a free, online version of Rosetta Stone software to its personnel in November 2005. {{Fact\|date=October 2007}} In December 2007 they began offering a special Military version of Arabic (http://www.rosettastone.com/global/press/news-20071203-rs) in order to help troops deploying to the Middle East learn the skills needed for conversations and phrases important in a military situation faster. It is available to all US Army Personnel, US Military Academy Cadets, Contracted US Army ROTC Cadets and other special guests with a sponsor.
			* {{note\|b\|b}} ] is taught, not ].
			{{refend}}

			===Course organization===
	The ] also offers a similar version to ]. <ref></ref>
			The language courses are divided into three to five levels offered as language packs either in CD-ROMs or Download. In the ] packages of Rosetta Stone, each CD-ROM has one level.

			All languages, except Latin, use mostly the same set of words and sentences in almost the same order, with mainly the same images. Some of the material is reused from lesson to lesson to invoke long-term retention.
	The ] offers levels one through three to Special Agents of the ]. {{Fact\|date=November 2007}}

			In version 3 pack, there are four units per language level. Each unit has four core lessons that are about 30 minutes long. The student then moves on to one of the following lesson modes: Pronunciation, Writing, Vocabulary, Grammar, Listening, Reading, Speaking. The Milestone is an exercise at the end of each unit in which students apply what they learned in the unit.
	==Endangered language communities==
	In 2004, Rosetta Stone Ltd. established its ] to contract with ] communities interested in custom ] to support ] efforts.<ref>Associated Press. "." SantaFeNewmexican.com. Jan 06, 2008. (accessed July 06, 2008).</ref>

			===Audio Companion===
	==Awards==
			On 9 June 2008, Rosetta Stone introduced an addition to its Version 3 ]: Audio Companion, supplemental audio recordings of words and phrases. The student is meant to repeat the spoken words and phrases for practice and memorization.<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/new-product/software/3270454/rosetta-stone-audio-companion/ \|title=Rosetta Stone Audio Companion \|last=Haworth \|first=Rosemary \|date=31 July 2008 \|work=] \|publisher=] \|access-date=15 January 2013}}</ref> Unlike recordings based on the ] method, the Audio Companion provides neither narration nor translations. Rosetta Stone distributes the audio supplements on ] and as ] files. Each Audio Companion supplements one level of the language course, and each disc supplements a specific unit. Complete Version 4 course packages include Audio Companion material for each level.
	Rosetta Stone has won a number of awards from software magazines and associations concerned with language learning such as textbook publishers and homeschooling magazines, amongst them the Gold Awards for ''Best CD-ROMs Used in School'' and ''Best CD-ROM for Language Learning'' i-Magic Awards in 1996{{Fact\|date=November 2008}} and the ''Best Software in Second Language'' Foreign Language Learning Program annual awards by ] magazine in 1994 and 1996.{{Fact\|date=November 2008}}

			===Endangered Language Program===
	==Versions==
			The Endangered Language Program was created in 2004 for use by ] communities engaged in ].<ref>Woodroof, Martha. “." ]. May 23, 2007. (accessed July 6, 2008).</ref>
	The latest version is version 3.3.5. Not all the languages are available in version 3, and some of them are still in version 2. The version appears on the exterior of retail packages and this information is apparent through their website.

			Organizations that contract the Endangered Language Program to develop custom software own the sales and distribution rights over their final product, allowing communities control over this language resource and respecting ] rights.<ref>"Endangered Languages: Move to Save Mohawk Language Through Technology," ''Language'' magazine, Vol. 5, no. 9 (May 2006): 20–21.</ref> These versions are thus not marketed via the usual outlets such as bookstores or commercial websites.
	] had reviewed version 3.0 several months earlier.<ref name="MacWorld 2006 review">Farivar, Cyrus; January 19, 2006; ; '']'', retrieved July 12, 2006</ref>. A is available at rosettastone.com.

			Based in ], the Endangered Language Program began offering a corporate grant program in 2007 to underwrite development costs for awarded communities.<ref>Osborn, Don. "Rosetta Stone: Endangered Language Program Announcement]." Kabissa Space for Change in Africa. Jan. 8, 2007. (accessed July 06, 2008).</ref> Rosetta Stone Inc. offered the first awards of the grant program to the ]<ref>Smith, Arthur. "A Language Lost, and Found]." ''Imagine Louisiana,'' spring 2008: 44–45.</ref> and the Navajo Language Renaissance coalition.<ref>Brossy, Chee. "New media for Diné – Navajo Times." ''Navajo Times.'' Dec. 6, 2007. (accessed July 06, 2008).</ref>
	Rosetta Stone version 3 software has a built-in feature to download and install upgrades from the online Web site. Newer versions have featured a larger interface, new functionality, improved learning experience and better-quality pictures than their predecessors.

			The Endangered Language Program also offers paid internships to graduate and undergraduate students interested in contributing to the work of the program.<ref>UICLACS. "Opportunities.” University of Illinois Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies. July 2008. (accessed July 06, 2008).</ref>
	==Criticism==
	The most frequent criticism of the program is its lack of sensitivity to the differences between the various languages it comes in and their respective cultures. All programs present the same concepts in the same order, using the same images taken mostly in the ] area a couple of hours northeast of the Rosetta Stone, Ltd. headquarters in ], ]. Rosetta Stone has since moved the corporate & management functions of their business to offices in the Metro DC area, in order to attract top talent to the company.

			{\| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center; width: auto; table-layout: fixed;"
	===Russian===
			\|-
	Reviewing the ] version in 1997, Mark Kaiser, director of the Language Media Center at the ], was especially harsh. He called the program "woefully inadequate for a number of reasons."<ref name="Kaiser">Kaiser, Mark; September 25, 1997; , CALL @Chorus, retrieved October 22, 2006.</ref> Not only did he cite the lack of cultural context, stating that the images contained in the program were not only clearly not Russian, but that they contained such objects as ]s, which Kaiser attested to never having seen on any visit to Russia at that point, and its lack of any way to test conversational skills; he also noted the tendency of some words and phrases to be too English-based.
			! Language
			! Organization
			! Version
			! Level 1
			! Level 2
			! Level 3
			! Level 4
			! Level 5
			! Audio Companion
			\|-
			\| {{rh}} \| ]
			\| ]
			\| v2
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{no}}
			\| {{no}}
			\| {{no}}
			\| {{no}}
			\|-
			\| {{rh}} \| ]
			\| Torngasok Cultural Centre
			\| v2
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{no}}
			\| {{no}}
			\| {{no}}
			\| {{no}}
			\| {{no}}
			\|-
			\| {{rh}} \| ]
			\| NANA Corporation
			\| v2
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{no}}
			\| {{no}}
			\| {{no}}
			\|-
			\| {{rh}} \| ]
			\| Navajo Language Renaissance
			\| v2
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{no}}
			\| {{no}}
			\| {{no}}
			\| {{no}}
			\|-
			\| {{rh}} \| ]
			\| Kanien’kehá:ka Onkwawén:na Raotitióhkwa
			\| v2
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{yes}}
			\| {{no}}
			\| {{no}}
			\| {{no}}
			\| {{no}}
			\|}

			In November 2015 the ], through the Chickasaw Language Revitalization Program established in 2007, contracted with Rosetta Stone to customize language learning content to preserve and introduce the ] to its 60,000+ members worldwide.<ref>Davis, J. (2016). Language affiliation and ethnolinguistic identity in chickasaw language revitalization. Language & Communication, 47, 100-111. doi:10.1016/j.langcom.2015.04.005</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://investors.rosettastone.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=227935&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=2107339\|title=Press Release - Investor Relations - Rosetta Stone\|access-date=19 September 2016}}{{Dead link\|date=August 2023 \|bot=InternetArchiveBot \|fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> This effort comes as the Chickasaw Nation has approximately 50 native speakers remaining, with its last monolingual speaker having died in 2013.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2014/01/07/260555554/what-happens-when-a-languages-last-monolingual-speaker-dies\|title=What Happens When A Language's Last Monolingual Speaker Dies?\|website=]\|access-date=19 September 2016}}</ref>
	As an example, he noted that one early lesson depicts two people rowing and associates it with the English phrase "They are using a boat." In Russian, this is rendered literally as "Они пользуются лодкой." But, according to Kaiser, no native Russian speaker would use the verb "use" in that context, preferring instead verbs specific to water-based travel, "Они плывут/катаются на лодке" ("they are sailing/riding in a boat").<ref name="Kaiser" />. He also noted that the ]s introduced in the first lesson take several different ] with distinct endings, "rather overwhelming to a student just beginning to study Russian."<ref name="Kaiser" />

			Rosetta Stone is currently working on projects for the ] dialect of the ] and ] (]) and ] (]). Rosetta Stone has supported Indigenous languages including ] (]), ] (]), ] (]), ] (]), Iñupiaq (]/]), and Iñupiaq (]).<ref>{{cite web \| url=https://www.rosettastone.com/endangered-languages/ \| title=Endangered Languages Program \| Rosetta Stone® }}</ref><ref>{{cite web \| url=https://blog.rosettastone.com/how-rosetta-stone-is-helping-indigenous-communities-reclaim-their-languages/ \| title=How Rosetta Stone is Helping Indigenous Communities Reclaim Their Languages - Rosetta Stone \| date=17 December 2021 }}</ref>
	"The entire package lacks any pedagogical foundation," he concluded. "Rather, it utilizes the glitz of the multimedia capabilities of the computer, a dearth of quality foreign language software, and clever marketing to create an economically successful product."<ref name="Kaiser" />

			==Reception and efficacy==
	===German===
	A few months earlier, Donald McRae of ] had been far kinder to the ] version, calling it "very good, but with some reservations."<ref name="McRae">McRae, Donald; June 24, 1997; ; CALL @Chorus; retrieved October 22, 2006.</ref> In contrast to Kaiser, he called it "good pedagogy and extremely effective. The authors of the program never lose sight of solid teaching methodology."<ref name="McRae" />

			===Critiques from language experts===
	He did, however, take issue with the company's claim that the software can substitute for a beginning-level language course. Like Kaiser, he noted one point on which the software didn't indicate a subtle distinction among the German verbs used for "to run." A running dog is shown using ''laufen'', which normally indicates walking; and ''rennen'', which means "to run at great speed" is used for a picture of a horse. McRae noted that without context, a student could reasonably conclude that ''rennen'' applied only to animals. "I am convinced," he wrote, "that any program requires the timely intervention of a good teacher."<ref name="McRae" />
			Frequent criticism of the program arises in its lack of sensitivity to the differences between the various languages it comes in and their respective cultures.<ref>{{cite journal\|last=Shaughnessy\|first=Michael\|title=CALL, commercialism and culture: inherent software design conflicts and their results\|journal=ReCALL\|year=2003\|volume=15\|issue=2\|pages=251–268\|doi=10.1017/S0958344003000922\|doi-access=free}}</ref> Early versions of the software presented the same concepts in the same order, using the same images taken mostly in the ] area near the company's headquarters at the time in ], ]. In the most recent version, there have been some modifications to the picture set for certain languages or regions.

			Another frequent issue was the use of more formal vocabulary than that regularly used by native speakers. In 2006, '']'' reviewer Cyrus Farivar noted that his Persian CD used ''khodrow'' for "car", although most native speakers use a ], ''ma:sheen'' (in the same way English speakers would be more likely to say "car" than "automobile" in everyday speech). The same course did not teach words that would be important to someone learning ], such as "bread" and "tea"; however, it very curiously included the word "elephant" in a basic vocabulary lesson. Perplexed by the question of why the word "elephant" would be taught in a language where it might never be used (there are not many elephants in Iran), Farivar called Rosetta Stone, Inc. He was told that the company makes four different picture sets: one for Western languages, another for Asian languages, and two sets unique to each ] and ]. The ] CD was using the Western picture set, which explains why the images were not culturally relevant.<ref name="Macworld 2006 review">Farivar, Cyrus; January 19, 2006; {{Webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071204235324/http://www.macworld.com/2006/01/reviews/rosettastone3/index.php \|date=2007-12-04 }}; '']'', retrieved July 12, 2006</ref>

			====Donald McRae on the German course====
	Another frequent issue is the use of more formal vocabulary than that regularly used by native speakers. '']'' reviewer Cyrus Farivar noted that the Persian CD he had been using gave ''khodrow'' for "car," although most native speakers use a French ], ''ma:sheen''. He called the company regarding the picture sets, and was told that four are in use, one for Western languages, another for Asian, and two sets unique to ] and Latin.<ref name="MacWorld 2006 review" />
			Writing in 1997, Donald McRae of ] said that Rosetta Stone represented "good pedagogy" and that "the authors of the program never lose sight of solid teaching methodology". He described the Version 2 German language course as "very good", but indicated that he had "some reservations".{{explain\|date=January 2013}}<ref name="McRae">McRae, Donald; June 24, 1997; ; CALL @Chorus; retrieved October 22, 2006. {{webarchive \|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061205014752/http://www-writing.berkeley.edu/chorus/call/reviews/archives/rosettagerm.html \|date=December 5, 2006 }}</ref>

			====Mark Kaiser on the Russian course====
	==Corporate structure==
			In a 1997 review of the Version 2 Russian language course, Mark Kaiser, director of the Language Media Center at the ], called the program "woefully inadequate for a number of reasons".<ref name="Kaiser">Kaiser, Mark; September 25, 1997; , CALL @Chorus, retrieved October 22, 2006. {{webarchive \|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060913073027/http://www-writing.berkeley.edu/chorus/call/reviews/rosetta_russian/index.html \|date=September 13, 2006 }}</ref>
	Rosetta Stone, Ltd., formerly Fairfield & Sons, Ltd. d.b.a. Fairfield Language Technologies, has two subsidiary companies:
	*Rosetta Stone (UK) Limited is based in London in the United Kingdom and handles the sales within the European Union.
	*Rosetta Stone Japan Inc., formerly Rosetta World, is based in Tokyo, Japan, and handles sales in the Asian markets.

			One of Kaiser's observations was that Rosetta Stone software fails to provide a relevant cultural context. Because the company uses the same ]s for all its language courses, they depict people, activities, and manufactured goods that are conspicuously American. Kaiser also found that Rosetta Stone Version 2 does not provide a way for students to evaluate their conversation skills, and that some of the words and phrases are too English-based.
	==Offices==

	Corporate headquarters are in Arlington, Virginia.<br>
			"The entire package lacks any ] foundation," he concluded. "Rather, it utilizes the glitz of the ] capabilities of the computer, a dearth of quality foreign language software, and clever marketing to create an economically successful product."<ref name="Kaiser" />{{Dead link\|date=January 2012}}
	Main offices are in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Production takes place at this location, the shipping facility is in the same area.<br>

	There are also offices in Boulder, Colorado; London, United Kingdom; and Tokyo, Japan.
			===Awards===

			====From the software industry====
			*2021 ]: Best Solution for English as a Second Language<ref>{{Cite web \|last=SIIA CODiE AWARDS <sup> 2021 </sup> \|date=March 20, 2022 \|title=Rosetta Stone English - Lexia Learning \|url=https://history.siia.net/codie/2021-Winners/Details/nID/389 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913012652/https://history.siia.net/codie/2021-Winners/Details/nID/389 \|archive-date=September 13, 2021 \|access-date=March 20, 2022 \|website=SIIA CODiE AWARDS <sup> 2021 </sup>}}</ref>
			*2011 ] Honorable Mention, Disruptive Design<ref>{{cite web\|title=2011 Adobe Max Honorable Mentions\|url=http://max.adobe.com/experience/maxawards/#honorablementions\|access-date=14 May 2012\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430155145/http://max.adobe.com/experience/maxawards/#honorablementions\|archive-date=30 April 2012\|url-status=dead\|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
			* 2011 ] Interactive Awards, Educational Resource<ref>{{cite web\|title=SXSW Interactive Awards Categories\|url=http://sxsw.com/interactive/awards/categories\|access-date=14 May 2012}}</ref>
			* 2010 ], Innovation<ref>{{cite web\|title=2010 Innovations Honorees \|url=http://www.cesweb.org/awards/innovations/2010honorees.asp?category=931397 \|access-date=11 May 2012 \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120507183028/http://cesweb.org/awards/innovations/2010honorees.asp?category=931397 \|archive-date=May 7, 2012 }}</ref>
			* 2009 Tech Circle Gold Award for Enterprise Software<ref>{{cite web\|title=Tech Awards Circle Winners Represent Best of Tech 2009\|url=http://www.techawardscircle.com/Winners2009.html\|access-date=11 May 2012\|archive-date=24 June 2012\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120624031834/http://www.techawardscircle.com/Winners2009.html\|url-status=dead}}</ref>
			* 2009 ''Children's Technology Review'' Editor's Choice Award<ref>{{cite web\|title=Rosetta Stone Wins Multiple Awards for Innovation and Excellence\|url=http://pr.rosettastone.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=228009&p=irol-newsArticle_Print&ID=1289799&highlight=\|access-date=11 May 2012}}</ref>
			* 2009 ]s, Best Corporate Achievement<ref>{{cite web \|last=SIIA CODiE AWARDS <sup> 2021 </sup> \|date=2022-03-21 \|title=2009 Winners \|url=https://history.siia.net/codie/About/Past-Winners/2009-Winners \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429074041/https://history.siia.net/codie/About/Past-Winners/2009-Winners \|archive-date=29 April 2021 \|access-date=2022-03-21 \|website=history.siia.net}}</ref>
			* 2008–2009 ]s, Best Instructional Solution in Other Curriculum Areas<ref>{{cite web \|last=SIIA CODiE AWARDS \|date=14 May 2012 \|title=2008 Codie Awards Winners \|url=http://www.siia.net/codies/2009/pastwinners.asp \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509032629/http://www.siia.net/codies/2009/pastwinners.asp \|archive-date=2012-05-09 \|access-date=14 May 2012 \|website=SIIA CODiE AWARDS}}</ref>
			* 2008 EDDIE Awards for Best Corporate Learning Solution and Best Instructional Solution in Other Curriculum Areas

			====From non-profit organisations====
			* 2012 ] Education Award<ref>{{cite web\|title=Global Education Award Presented to Rosetta Stone\|website = ]\| date=28 March 2012 \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUPHPwO60ns \|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/iUPHPwO60ns \|archive-date=2021-12-21 \|url-status=live\|access-date=11 May 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
			* 2009 ] Award<ref>{{cite web \|date=11 May 2012 \|title=2009 DAA Curriculum Winners \|url=http://www.aepweb.org/daa-winners/2009-daa-curriculum-winners.html \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120720075353/http://www.aepweb.org/daa-winners/2009-daa-curriculum-winners.html \|archive-date=2012-07-20 \|access-date=11 May 2012 \|website=www.aepweb.org}}</ref>
			* 2011 USDLA International Awards, Excellence in Distance Learning<ref>{{cite web\|title=USDLA 2011 International Awards Presented for Excellence in Distance Learning for Individuals, Organizations and Companies Honoring Their Outstanding Achievements\|url=http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/5/prweb8365283.htm\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927061929/http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/5/prweb8365283.htm\|url-status=dead\|archive-date=September 27, 2011\|access-date=11 May 2012}}</ref>
			* 2010 USDLA Silver Award, Best Practices in Distance Learning Programming<ref>{{cite web\|title=USDLA 2010 International Awards Presented for Excellence in Distance Learning for Individuals, Organizations and Companies Honoring their Outstanding Achievements.\|url=http://www.usdla.org/2010-award-winners/\|access-date=14 May 2012\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502132512/http://www.usdla.org/2010-award-winners/\|archive-date=2012-05-02\|url-status=dead}}</ref>

			====From magazines====
			* 2011 ] Editors' Choice Award<ref>{{cite web\|title=The Best Language-Learning Software\|url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2381904,00.asp\|access-date=14 May 2012}}</ref>
			* 2011 ''Practical Homeschooling'' i-Learn Awards, 1st Place in Foreign Language category; Honorable mention in Latin category
			* 2010 ''Practical Homeschooling'' i-Learn Awards, 1st Place in Foreign Language category; 1st Place in Latin category
			* 2009 ''Creative Child'' Media of the Year Award for Educational Media<ref>{{cite web\|title=Creative Child Media of the Year Award in the Educational Media category\|url=http://www.creativechild.com/toy-guide/educational_products/educational_media\|access-date=14 May 2012}}</ref>
			* 2004–2008, Excellence in Education Award for Foreign Language, ''The Old Schoolhouse''
			* 2004–2006, Homeschool Stamp of Approval for Foreign Language, ''Homeschooling Parent'' magazine
			* 2002–2008, 1st Place in Foreign Language Category, ''Practical Homeschooling'' Reader Award

			==Institutional use==

			===United States Army===
			In December 2007, the ] offered a special military version of Arabic to help troops deploying to the Middle East learn the language for conversations and phrases important in a military situation.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Revolutionary Technology Strengthens Military Language Training \|url=http://pr.rosettastone.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=228009&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1273960 \|publisher=Rosetta Stone \|date=December 3, 2007 \|access-date=February 15, 2010}}</ref> It was available to all US Army personnel, US Military Academy cadets, contracted US Army ROTC Cadets and other special guests with a sponsor.

			The United States Army "E-Learning", a SkillPort product, offered the full Version 3 Online, with the exception of only a few languages. The Army E-Learning web site was accessible by most Army members with a valid AKO (Army Knowledge Online) e-mail address or CAC (Common Access Card).<ref>{{cite web \|title=Army e-Learning Overview \|url=http://www.dls.army.mil/eLearn_overview.html \|publisher=] \|access-date=February 15, 2010 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100212050227/http://www.dls.army.mil/eLearn_overview.html \|archive-date=2010-02-12 \|url-status=dead }}</ref>

			Rosetta Stone's Army contract ended on September 24, 2011.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Army Rosetta Stone \|url=http://usarmy.rosettastone.com/ \|publisher=] \|access-date=September 24, 2011}}</ref>

			Other branches of the U.S military also offered Rosetta Stone software. The ] also offers a similar version to ]s.<ref>{{cite web
			\|first=Christine
			\|last=Harrison
			\|title=Air University offers online language training
			\|url=http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123026700
			\|publisher=]
			\|date=September 8, 2006
			\|access-date=February 15, 2010
			\|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121212202440/http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123026700
			\|archive-date=December 12, 2012
			\|url-status=dead
			}}</ref> The ] also offers an online version of all the languages that Rosetta Stone offers through their MarineNet Distance Learning portal.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Release of the Rosetta Stone Language Learning Software \|url=http://www.marines.mil/news/messages/Pages/MARADMIN661-08.aspx \|publisher=] \|date=November 21, 2008 \|access-date=February 15, 2010}}</ref>

			The ] uses Rosetta Stone (Version 3 as of 2009) as a companion to their in-class and distance learning language programs provided through the ]. It is free for civil and foreign service employees.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.dni.gov/index.php/who-we-are/organizations/enterprise-capacity/chco/chco-related-menus/chco-related-links/foreign-language/chco-foreign-language-related-links/language-training-resources\|title=Language Training Resources\|website=www.dni.gov\|access-date=2019-11-27\|archive-date=2019-11-27\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191127172847/https://www.dni.gov/index.php/who-we-are/organizations/enterprise-capacity/chco/chco-related-menus/chco-related-links/foreign-language/chco-foreign-language-related-links/language-training-resources\|url-status=dead}}</ref>

			===James Madison University===
			In April 2011, ] was the first university to partner with Rosetta Stone to offer the Rosetta Stone Version 4 TOTALe as an accredited Conversational Spanish I language learning course. The program teaches Spanish through a series of images that, when clicked on, show the vocabulary word. The student will speak into a microphone and speech recognition software will correct mispronounced words, according to Reilly Brennan, Rosetta Stone's Director of Public Relations. The course is available to adults who want to complete a degree for teaching and non-degree seeking students are eligible to take the class. The Rosetta Stone TOTALe accredited offering is a 16-week, intensive language-learning program. The program is accessed completely online and follows a syllabus approved by Rosetta Stone and James Madison University.<ref>{{Cite web\|title = JMU teams up with Rosetta Stone: University offers new online Spanish class\|url = http://www.breezejmu.org/news/article_be00daf2-6950-11e0-81a7-001a4bcf6878.html\|website = The Breeze\| date=18 April 2011 \|access-date = 2015-12-06}}</ref>

			==See also==
			* ]
			* ]
			* ]
			* ]
			* ]
			* ]
			* ]
			* ]
			* ]

	==References==		==References==
	{{reflist}}		{{reflist\|colwidth=30em}}

	==External links==		==External links==
	*		* {{Official website\|http://www.rosettastone.com/}}
	* Short academic paper on the speech comparison feature.
	*

	]
	]
	]

	]		{{DEFAULTSORT:Rosetta Stone (software)}}
			]
			]
			]
			]
			]
			]
			]

Latest revision as of 04:17, 10 January 2025

Proprietary software for learning foreign languages and writing systems This article is about the language learning software developed by Rosetta Stone Inc.. For the Ancient Egyptian multilingual archeological artifact which lends its name to the software company, see Rosetta Stone.

Rosetta Stone Language Learning

In this screenshot of an Arabic lesson in Rosetta Stone v3, two of the photos have a description in Arabic. The learner decides which of the remaining two photos matches the Arabic description at the top of the screen.
Developer(s)	Rosetta Stone Inc.
Initial release	1992; 33 years ago (1992)

Stable release	5.0.37 / October 9, 2014; 10 years ago (2014-10-09)

Operating system	Windows 10 Windows 8 Windows 7 Windows Vista Windows XP Apple iOS Mac OS Android
Platform	Adobe AIR on x86
Size	96.4 MB
Available in	American English, Arabic, Brazilian Portuguese, British English, Chinese, Dutch, English, Farsi, Filipino, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Mandarin, Persian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Tagalog, and Turkish.
Type	Computer-assisted language learning
License	Proprietary
Website	www.rosettastone.com

Rosetta Stone Language Learning is proprietary, computer-assisted language learning (CALL) software published by Rosetta Stone Inc, part of the IXL Learning family of products. The software uses images, text, and sound to teach words and grammar by spaced repetition, without translation. Rosetta Stone calls its approach Dynamic Immersion.

The software's name and logo allude to the ancient stone slab of the same name on which the Decree of Memphis is inscribed in three writing systems.

IXL Learning acquired Rosetta Stone in March 2021.

Dynamic Immersion

In a Rosetta Stone Language Learning exercise, the learner pairs sound or text to one of several images. The number of images per screen varies.

For example, the software shows the learner four photographs. A native speaker makes a statement that describes one of the photographs, and the statement is printed on the screen; the learner chooses the photograph that the speaker described. In another variation, the learner completes a textual description of a photograph.

In writing exercises, the software provides an on-screen keyboard for the user to type characters that are not in the Latin alphabet or accents that may not be in their native language.

Grammar lessons cover grammatical tense and grammatical mood. In grammar lessons, the program firstly shows the learner several examples of a grammatical concept, and in some levels, the word or words the learner should focus on are highlighted. Then the learner is given a sentence with several options for a word or phrase, and the learner chooses the correct option.

If the learner has a microphone, the software will evaluate word pronunciation using the embedded speech recognition engine, TrueAccent.

Each unit contains reviews of the content in those lessons, and each unit concludes with a Milestone activity, which is a simulated conversation that covers the content of the unit.

Scoring

The program immediately informs the learner whether the answer is right or wrong. Through the Preferences screen, the learner can choose whether a sound is played or not when an answer is clicked. At the bottom of the window, the program shows all the screens for the current lesson. If all answers for that screen are correct, the button for that screen turns green. If some answers are correct, the border of the button turns green, but the screen number itself turns orange. If all answers for a screen are wrong, the button turns orange. This applies to all lessons except review and Milestone lessons, which are treated as tests. In those lessons, the buttons for each screen all remain clear. In all lessons, there is a button that can be hovered over to display how many answers are correct, incorrect, or have not been answered. Each time an answer is clicked, one point is given. At the end of the lesson, the total number of correct, wrong or skipped answers is shown alongside the percentage of correct answers for that lesson. If too many questions were answered incorrectly, the program suggests the learner should retry the lesson.

Software versions

To use Rosetta Stone Language Learning, a student needs the Rosetta Stone application software and at least one level of a language pack. The latest major version of Rosetta Stone is Rosetta Stone Language Learning 5.0.13.

Language packs also have version numbers. The version number of the language pack is distinct from the version numbering scheme of the Rosetta Stone application, and a language pack is only compatible with specific versions of the application. Version 4 and 5 are backward compatible with language packs developed for Version 3, but not older ones.

Version 1

By the end of 1996, Rosetta Stone Version 1 had a selection of nine level-one language courses (Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish) and four level-two courses (English, French, German, Spanish). A CD-ROM product called The Rosetta Stone PowerPac featured introductory versions of seven of the courses.

At this time, Fairfield Language Technologies had already begun development of the Arabic, Esperanto, Hebrew, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Swahili, Thai, and Vietnamese courses. Within a few months, the Japanese, Thai, and Vietnamese courses were complete, and development of Latin, Polish, and Welsh courses were underway. The Latin course was the next to be completed, followed by Hebrew. In this fashion, Fairfield introduced new courses to market gradually.

Rosetta Stone Version 1 was developed for Macintosh System 6 and higher, and Windows 3.0 and higher. Later revisions of Version 1 for Macintosh required System 7. The final revision of Version 1 was v1.9.

Version 2

At Version 2, Fairfield continued to add more language courses, but also marketed more editions of The Rosetta Stone software.

The PowerPac CD-ROM introduced in Version 1 now featured basic lessons in seven languages. One complete level of a language course was now called a Personal Edition of the software.

Because many consumers found The Rosetta Stone to be too expensive, Fairfield started a series of "Explorer" editions. An Explorer CD-ROM was a lower-cost excerpt of a Version 2 course. Each edition of the Rosetta Stone Explorer series (Japanese Explorer, Welsh Explorer, etc.) included three units (22 lessons) from Level 1. The company no longer sells Explorer editions.

Then there was Global Traveler, a CD-ROM and electronic translation dictionary package for people requiring some facility in English, French, Spanish, Italian, or German. The lessons on the CD-ROM teach words and phrases for travelers. The electronic translator was programmed with about 60,000 words and 720 phrases.

Compatibility

The Rosetta Stone v2.0.x is backward compatible with some of the later language packs for Version 1; specifically languages courses with a version number of 3.0 or 4.0.x.

The Rosetta Stone v2.1 through v2.2.x are only compatible with v6.x language courses. These versions of the language packs and software engine are neither backward compatible nor forward compatible. Language discs developed for The Rosetta Stone v2.0.x are incompatible with these later revisions of the software.

In v2.1.4.1A of The Rosetta Stone, the program began using copy protection software called SafeDisc.

Version 3

Rosetta Stone Version 3 is not backward compatible with language packs developed for Rosetta Stone Versions 1 or 2.

Version 3 was initially released in August 2007 for ten bestselling languages, with other languages following later on. The final revision of Version 3 is v3.4.7.r1.

Homeschool Edition

Homeschool Edition introduces additional features that keep track of time spent per lesson, scores achieved on lessons, lesson plans, and instructional objectives. This edition includes a supplemental CD-ROM that has workbooks, quizzes, lesson transcripts, and exams.

Unlike the Personal Edition, the Homeschool Edition application does not recommend reviews. Aside from the minor differences, the homeschool edition is essentially the same as the personal edition—except for the supplemental CD with written exercises and lesson plans. The language discs in the two editions are identical and are interchangeable. Some may have 3 discs and some may have 5. Much of the information on the supplemental CD-ROM is available online from Rosetta Stone.

Version 4 TOTALe

Version 4 is backward compatible with all language packs developed for Version 3.

Rosetta Stone released Version 4 TOTALe on September 14, 2010. TOTALe is a software suite comprising Rosetta Course, Rosetta Studio, Rosetta World, and TOTALe Mobile Companion. Users of the Rosetta Studio software subscribe to a service that videoconferences them with a language coach. Rosetta World is a social gaming service. TOTALe Mobile Companion is a Rosetta Stone mobile app for iOS and Android devices.

With Version 4, Rosetta Stone adds stricter copy protection measures.

Rosetta Stone Language Learning 5.0.13

Rosetta Stone released Version 5 on October 9, 2014. The notable changes are the change in brand name ("Rosetta Course" has become "Language Training"), a new interactive demo is built into the application based on user feedback and a new minimalist UI with no beveled edges or drop shadows.

The software is offered in three variants.

Rosetta Stone Language Learning CD-ROM

The core Language Training lessons, up to five levels for certain languages in CDs.
Audio Companion CDs that supplement your Course lessons. These can be played on CD or MP3 players.
A USB headset with microphone that is configured for speech recognition technology.
A three-month trial of Online Subscription.
the software can be installed on up to 2 computers, for use by up to 5 household members.

Rosetta Stone Language Learning Download

The core Language Training lessons, up to five levels for certain languages.
Instant download (language packs in rsd format) right after the purchase.
A three-month trial of Online Subscription.
it can be installed on up to 2 computers, for use by up to 5 household members.

Online Subscription

Full access to all Language Training levels for your respective language.
Games & Community.
Mobile Apps: Full access to apps no matter what flavor you prefer: Language Companion, Language Training, and Live Tutoring.
Access to Online features is limited to one user age 13 and up.
A constant internet connection is required.

Compatibility

The standalone boxed version of the software unfortunately no longer runs on Modern operating systems due to most browsers dropping support for Adobe Flash. Fortunately, flash support can be emulated by installing an open-source browser extension called Ruffle (https://ruffle.rs/) for Chrome-based or latest Edge browsers. TOTALe version 4 does not launch, even with the flash emulation, so you also need to upgrade to version 5 (https://archive.org/details/rosetta-stone-totale-5.0.37-win).

Discover Languages

Rosetta Stone's Discover Languages is an app currently only available on Xbox One. It is very different from the traditional design, involving a virtual world and more of a focus on games in order to appeal more strongly to game playing audiences. The only languages currently supported are English and Spanish.

Language courses

As of October 2024, there are 25 Language Training courses offered by Rosetta. Each language course requires either its own language pack, offered through CD-ROMs or downloads, or online subscription.

Language	Version of Language Pack	Update Version	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	Level 4	Level 5	Audio Companion	CD-ROM	Download	Online Subscription
Spanish (Latin America)	v3.7.5.3.r5	v3.7.6.2.r10	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	3 – 36 months
Spanish (Spain)	v3.7.5.2.r2	v3.7.6.2.r10	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	3 – 36 months
French	v3.7.5.2.r2	v3.7.6.2.r10	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	3 – 36 months
Italian	v3.7.5.2.r2	v3.7.6.2.r10	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	3 – 36 months
German	v3.7.5.2.r1	v3.7.6.2.r10	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	3 – 36 months
English (American)	v3.7.6.3.r1		Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	3 – 36 months
English (British)	v3.7.5.3.r1	v3.7.6.2.r10	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	3 – 36 months
Arabic	v3.7.5.2.r2	v3.7.6.2.r10	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	3 – 36 months
Chinese (Mandarin)	v3.7.6.3.r2		Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	3 – 36 months
Dutch	v3.7.5.2.r2	v3.7.6.2.r10	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	3 – 36 months
Farsi (Persian)	v3.7.5.2.r3	v3.7.6.2.r10	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	3 – 36 months
Greek	v3.7.5.2.r2		Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	3 – 36 months
Hebrew	v3.7.5.2.r3		Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	3 – 36 months
Hindi	v3.7.5.2.r3		Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	3 – 36 months
Irish	v3.7.5.3.r5	v3.7.6.2.r10	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	3 – 36 months
Japanese	v3.7.5.3.r5	v3.7.6.2.r10	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	3 – 36 months
Korean	v3.7.5.2.r2		Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	3 – 36 months
Latin	v3.7.x.x.rx		Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	3 – 36 months
Polish	v3.7.5.2.r2		Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	3 – 36 months
Portuguese (Brazil)	v3.7.5.2.r2		Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	3 – 36 months
Russian	v3.7.6.2.r4	v3.7.6.2.r10	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	3 – 36 months
Swedish	v3.7.5.2.r2	v3.7.6.2.r10	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	3 – 36 months
Tagalog (Filipino)	v3.7.5.2.r2		Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	3 – 36 months
Turkish	v3.7.5.2.r2	v3.7.6.2.r10	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	3 – 36 months
Vietnamese	v3.7.5.3.r5	v3.7.6.2.r10	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	3 – 36 months

^a Modern Standard Arabic is a literary language used in the Middle East and north Africa, but it is not a spoken language. See also varieties of Arabic.
^b Modern Hebrew is taught, not Biblical Hebrew.

Course organization

The language courses are divided into three to five levels offered as language packs either in CD-ROMs or Download. In the retail software packages of Rosetta Stone, each CD-ROM has one level.

All languages, except Latin, use mostly the same set of words and sentences in almost the same order, with mainly the same images. Some of the material is reused from lesson to lesson to invoke long-term retention.

In version 3 pack, there are four units per language level. Each unit has four core lessons that are about 30 minutes long. The student then moves on to one of the following lesson modes: Pronunciation, Writing, Vocabulary, Grammar, Listening, Reading, Speaking. The Milestone is an exercise at the end of each unit in which students apply what they learned in the unit.

Audio Companion

On 9 June 2008, Rosetta Stone introduced an addition to its Version 3 product line: Audio Companion, supplemental audio recordings of words and phrases. The student is meant to repeat the spoken words and phrases for practice and memorization. Unlike recordings based on the Pimsleur method, the Audio Companion provides neither narration nor translations. Rosetta Stone distributes the audio supplements on audio CD and as MP3 files. Each Audio Companion supplements one level of the language course, and each disc supplements a specific unit. Complete Version 4 course packages include Audio Companion material for each level.

Endangered Language Program

The Endangered Language Program was created in 2004 for use by endangered language communities engaged in language revitalization.

Organizations that contract the Endangered Language Program to develop custom software own the sales and distribution rights over their final product, allowing communities control over this language resource and respecting indigenous intellectual property rights. These versions are thus not marketed via the usual outlets such as bookstores or commercial websites.

Based in Harrisonburg, Virginia, the Endangered Language Program began offering a corporate grant program in 2007 to underwrite development costs for awarded communities. Rosetta Stone Inc. offered the first awards of the grant program to the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana and the Navajo Language Renaissance coalition.

The Endangered Language Program also offers paid internships to graduate and undergraduate students interested in contributing to the work of the program.

Language	Organization	Version	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	Level 4	Level 5	Audio Companion
Chitimacha	Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana	v2	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No
Inuktitut	Torngasok Cultural Centre	v2	Yes	No	No	No	No	No
Inupiat	NANA Corporation	v2	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
Navajo	Navajo Language Renaissance	v2	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No
Mohawk	Kanien’kehá:ka Onkwawén:na Raotitióhkwa	v2	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No

In November 2015 the Chickasaw Nation, through the Chickasaw Language Revitalization Program established in 2007, contracted with Rosetta Stone to customize language learning content to preserve and introduce the Chickasaw language to its 60,000+ members worldwide. This effort comes as the Chickasaw Nation has approximately 50 native speakers remaining, with its last monolingual speaker having died in 2013.

Rosetta Stone is currently working on projects for the Mille Lacs dialect of the Ojibwe language and Chikashshanompa' (Chickasaw language) and Chamtéela (Luiseño language). Rosetta Stone has supported Indigenous languages including Diné Bizaad (Navajo language), Kanien'kéha (Mohawk language), Sitimaxa (Chitimacha language), Iñupiaq language (Coastal), Iñupiaq (Kobuk, Alaska/Selawik, Alaska), and Iñupiaq (Alaska North Slope).

Reception and efficacy

Critiques from language experts

Frequent criticism of the program arises in its lack of sensitivity to the differences between the various languages it comes in and their respective cultures. Early versions of the software presented the same concepts in the same order, using the same images taken mostly in the Washington, D.C. area near the company's headquarters at the time in Harrisonburg, Virginia. In the most recent version, there have been some modifications to the picture set for certain languages or regions.

Another frequent issue was the use of more formal vocabulary than that regularly used by native speakers. In 2006, Macworld reviewer Cyrus Farivar noted that his Persian CD used khodrow for "car", although most native speakers use a French loanword, ma:sheen (in the same way English speakers would be more likely to say "car" than "automobile" in everyday speech). The same course did not teach words that would be important to someone learning Persian, such as "bread" and "tea"; however, it very curiously included the word "elephant" in a basic vocabulary lesson. Perplexed by the question of why the word "elephant" would be taught in a language where it might never be used (there are not many elephants in Iran), Farivar called Rosetta Stone, Inc. He was told that the company makes four different picture sets: one for Western languages, another for Asian languages, and two sets unique to each Swahili and Latin. The Persian language CD was using the Western picture set, which explains why the images were not culturally relevant.

Donald McRae on the German course

Writing in 1997, Donald McRae of Brock University said that Rosetta Stone represented "good pedagogy" and that "the authors of the program never lose sight of solid teaching methodology". He described the Version 2 German language course as "very good", but indicated that he had "some reservations".

Mark Kaiser on the Russian course

In a 1997 review of the Version 2 Russian language course, Mark Kaiser, director of the Language Media Center at the University of California, Berkeley, called the program "woefully inadequate for a number of reasons".

One of Kaiser's observations was that Rosetta Stone software fails to provide a relevant cultural context. Because the company uses the same stock photographs for all its language courses, they depict people, activities, and manufactured goods that are conspicuously American. Kaiser also found that Rosetta Stone Version 2 does not provide a way for students to evaluate their conversation skills, and that some of the words and phrases are too English-based.

"The entire package lacks any pedagogical foundation," he concluded. "Rather, it utilizes the glitz of the multimedia capabilities of the computer, a dearth of quality foreign language software, and clever marketing to create an economically successful product."

Awards

From the software industry

2021 CODiE award: Best Solution for English as a Second Language
2011 Adobe MAX Honorable Mention, Disruptive Design
2011 South by Southwest Interactive Awards, Educational Resource
2010 International CES, Innovation
2009 Tech Circle Gold Award for Enterprise Software
2009 Children's Technology Review Editor's Choice Award
2009 Codie awards, Best Corporate Achievement
2008–2009 Codie awards, Best Instructional Solution in Other Curriculum Areas
2008 EDDIE Awards for Best Corporate Learning Solution and Best Instructional Solution in Other Curriculum Areas

From non-profit organisations

2012 World Affairs Council of Washington, DC Education Award
2009 Association of Educational Publishers Award
2011 USDLA International Awards, Excellence in Distance Learning
2010 USDLA Silver Award, Best Practices in Distance Learning Programming

From magazines

2011 PCMag.com Editors' Choice Award
2011 Practical Homeschooling i-Learn Awards, 1st Place in Foreign Language category; Honorable mention in Latin category
2010 Practical Homeschooling i-Learn Awards, 1st Place in Foreign Language category; 1st Place in Latin category
2009 Creative Child Media of the Year Award for Educational Media
2004–2008, Excellence in Education Award for Foreign Language, The Old Schoolhouse
2004–2006, Homeschool Stamp of Approval for Foreign Language, Homeschooling Parent magazine
2002–2008, 1st Place in Foreign Language Category, Practical Homeschooling Reader Award

Institutional use

United States Army

In December 2007, the United States Army offered a special military version of Arabic to help troops deploying to the Middle East learn the language for conversations and phrases important in a military situation. It was available to all US Army personnel, US Military Academy cadets, contracted US Army ROTC Cadets and other special guests with a sponsor.

The United States Army "E-Learning", a SkillPort product, offered the full Version 3 Online, with the exception of only a few languages. The Army E-Learning web site was accessible by most Army members with a valid AKO (Army Knowledge Online) e-mail address or CAC (Common Access Card).

Rosetta Stone's Army contract ended on September 24, 2011.

Other branches of the U.S military also offered Rosetta Stone software. The United States Air Force also offers a similar version to company-grade officers. The United States Marine Corps also offers an online version of all the languages that Rosetta Stone offers through their MarineNet Distance Learning portal.

The U.S. Department of State uses Rosetta Stone (Version 3 as of 2009) as a companion to their in-class and distance learning language programs provided through the Foreign Service Institute. It is free for civil and foreign service employees.

James Madison University

In April 2011, James Madison University was the first university to partner with Rosetta Stone to offer the Rosetta Stone Version 4 TOTALe as an accredited Conversational Spanish I language learning course. The program teaches Spanish through a series of images that, when clicked on, show the vocabulary word. The student will speak into a microphone and speech recognition software will correct mispronounced words, according to Reilly Brennan, Rosetta Stone's Director of Public Relations. The course is available to adults who want to complete a degree for teaching and non-degree seeking students are eligible to take the class. The Rosetta Stone TOTALe accredited offering is a 16-week, intensive language-learning program. The program is accessed completely online and follows a syllabus approved by Rosetta Stone and James Madison University.

References

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Woodroof, Martha. “Endangered Alaskan Language Goes Digital." National Public Radio. May 23, 2007. (accessed July 6, 2008).
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Davis, J. (2016). Language affiliation and ethnolinguistic identity in chickasaw language revitalization. Language & Communication, 47, 100-111. doi:10.1016/j.langcom.2015.04.005
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"The Best Language-Learning Software". Retrieved 14 May 2012.
"Creative Child Media of the Year Award in the Educational Media category". Retrieved 14 May 2012.
"Revolutionary Technology Strengthens Military Language Training". Rosetta Stone. December 3, 2007. Retrieved February 15, 2010.
"Army e-Learning Overview". U.S. Army. Archived from the original on 2010-02-12. Retrieved February 15, 2010.
"Army Rosetta Stone". U.S. Army. Retrieved September 24, 2011.
Harrison, Christine (September 8, 2006). "Air University offers online language training". U.S. Air Force. Archived from the original on December 12, 2012. Retrieved February 15, 2010.
"Release of the Rosetta Stone Language Learning Software". U.S. Marine Corps. November 21, 2008. Retrieved February 15, 2010.
"Language Training Resources". www.dni.gov. Archived from the original on 2019-11-27. Retrieved 2019-11-27.
"JMU teams up with Rosetta Stone: University offers new online Spanish class". The Breeze. 18 April 2011. Retrieved 2015-12-06.

External links

Official website

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