Study Spanish Language

Updated 23 May 2009
Inexpensive Alternatives to Rosetta Stone Spanish
by Kim McConnell, Editor, Study-Spanish-Language.com

Rosetta Stone Spanish is a good, popular software course for learning Spanish. However, it is expensive. The most popular version, Rosetta Stone V3 Level 1, 2 & 3 Set with Audio Companion, retails for $549.

Some online stores offer discounts on Rosetta Stone products. You can usually find the best prices on Rosetta Stone Spanish on eBay.

Still, you don't need to spend so much money on a Spanish course. Below are three good alternatives to Rosetta Stone Spanish that cost $99 or less.


Option 1 - Rocket Spanish - $99

In my view, Rocket Spanish gives you more value for your dollar than any other Spanish course on the market.

For less than a hundred dollars you get hours and hours of fun, effective lessons in all major aspects of language learning. The course is well organized and, perhaps most important, easy and enjoyable.

Feedback I have received from people who have used Rocket Spanish has been extremely positive.

Included in the course are 31 interactive audio lessons each 15 to 25 minutes long, over 400 pages of instructional text and grammar lessons, hundreds of exercises, and MegaSpanish learning software.

Rocket Spanish is designed for beginners and intermediate learners.

It's important to note the difference between Rocket Spanish and Rosetta Stone Spanish. Rosetta Stone is a software program. Rocket Spanish is not strictly a software program (although it contains a software component). Instead Rocket Spanish is a series of interactive audio lessons with instructional text and exercises. Rocket Spanish may be used on your computer or downloaded to your iPod.

The best place to buy Rocket Spanish is at the official Rocket Spanish website.


Option 2 - Verbarrator - $57

Verbarrator is a brand new software product that will help you master Spanish verb conjugations. Note that Verbarrator is NOT a complete course. It is designed for one purpose and one purpoe only: to make it easy for you to learn how to conjugate verbs in Spanish.

Verbs are the heart of the language and present the greatest challenge for students. What makes Verbarrator so useful is that it simplifies the process of learning Spanish verbs in all the different conjugated forms.

I absolutely love this program. I wish it was available years ago when I started learning Spanish. Here's a link to my Verbarrator review.

You can buy Verbarrator at the official Verbarrator website.


Option 3 - Learning Spanish Like Crazy (Level 1 & 2) - $199

A third less-expensive alternative to Rosetta Stone Spanish is the popular Learning Spanish Like Crazy course. Two levels are available, which are sold separately. Each level sells for about $99.

Although I believe Rocket Spanish is a more comprehensive course and a much better value, I know some students who have really enjoyed the relaxed, conversational approach taken by Learning Spanish Like Crazy.

Level 1 is a good course for beginners who want fun, conversational audio lessons they can listen to at home, in the car, or on their MP3 player. Level 2 is for students who enjoyed the first level and wish to further their studies. I don't recommend going directly to Level 2. It works best as a continuation of the first level. Intermediate students should consider Rocket Spanish instead.

You can buy Learning Spanish Like Crazy at the Learning Spanish Like Crazy website.


More Information

See also Side-by-Side Comparison of Best Spanish Courses


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Read Verbarrator review "Best way to master Spanish verbs..."

Verbarrator review




How to Type Spanish Accents on Your Computer

English keyboards don't have keys designated for Spanish accent marks and special characters. But you can still type them using unique codes or by reconfiguring your keyboard.

PC

The simplest way to type Spanish accents and special characters on a Windows PC is using three-digit Alt codes. Press and hold down the Alt key while typing in the numeric code.

á Alt + 160
é Alt + 130
í Alt + 161
ó Alt + 162
ú Alt + 163
ñ Alt + 164
ü Alt + 129
¡ Alt + 173
¿ Alt + 168

Another option is to reconfigure your keyboard via the Control Panel.

Mac

Here's how to type Spanish characters if you have a Mac.

á Option + e, then a
é Option + e, then e
í Option + e, then i
ó Option + e, then o
ú Option + e, then u
ñ Option + n, then n
ü Option + u, then u
¡ Option, then 1
¿ Shift + Option, then ?

Note: In modern Spanish communication, capital letters do not use accent marks.





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