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<DIV><FONT size=2>Interesting article, though I wonder if there was more to it
than just the software...</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>As I said earlier, I think it is a good listening tool for an
intermediate speaker. It's mostly repetition and although not exactly
groundbreaking, it could suffice for learning vocabulary.
Regarding Benito's criticism, he is right, version 2.x (roughly 10+ years
old) was rubbish. The newer versions, 3.2.x offer substantial improvements. From
my understanding, this was when Rosetta became a LLC (it was originally owned by
Sierra) and revamped the whole line of products. The newer edition
also offers Japanese levels 1-3, so for someone who does not live
in Japan and wishes to bridge the gap between intermediate and
advanced, it could be useful (especially level 3 if you'd like to practice
reading).</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Anyway, I would not encourage anyone to purchase it, but if
you can use it through your department it is worth taking a look--that was my
original suggestion. And as mentioned by others, these days you can supplement
your learning with an online tutor (through Skype, etc), though my caveat on
that one is to try to pick the most "serious" instructor, otherwise you won't
get far. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>It essentially comes down to self-discipline and picking the
right sources...learning languages can be quite tedious and boring, I certainly
know it was like that for me....</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>-daniel</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"
dir=ltr>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT: 10pt arial; BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=baird@asianlan.umass.edu href="mailto:baird@asianlan.umass.edu">Bruce
Baird</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A
title=KineJapan@lists.acs.ohio-state.edu
href="mailto:KineJapan@lists.acs.ohio-state.edu">KineJapan@lists.acs.ohio-state.edu</A>
</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Friday, February 05, 2010 11:06
AM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: Japanese language
programs</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>There was an article in the NYTimes just the other day about
Rosetta Stone--
<DIV><A
href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/28/technology/personaltech/28basics.html?scp=1&sq=rosetta%20stone&st=cse">http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/28/technology/personaltech/28basics.html?scp=1&sq=rosetta%20stone&st=cse</A></DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>I've never used it and I don't know if something has changed, but it
apparently worked for someone going from Farsi to English. Whether it is as
good at going away from english is another question. </DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><BR>
<DIV>
<DIV>On Feb 4, 2010, at 11:20 PM, Benito Cachinero wrote:</DIV><BR
class=Apple-interchange-newline>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite">Sorry, I just think Rosetta Stone is a scam geared
towards dilettantes. Maybe something miraculous happened to the
software, but when I tried it 10ish years ago it was a laughable collection
of mini-games.<BR><BR>Your other suggestions are good, though. I wish
I had had KanKen games when I was coming up...<BR><BR>Benito<BR><BR>
<DIV class=gmail_quote>On Thu, Feb 4, 2010 at 11:00 PM, <SPAN dir=ltr><<A
href="mailto:drainer@mpinet.net">drainer@mpinet.net</A>></SPAN>
wrote:<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="BORDER-LEFT: rgb(204,204,204) 1px solid; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; PADDING-LEFT: 1ex"
class=gmail_quote><BR>No apologies necessary.<BR><BR>I was not suggesting
flashcards, but rather Japanese games like 漢検 or even something like
ことばのパズル (which is a *great* vocabulary builder). Remember, these are
made for Japanese who are learning vocabulary or kanji; if you master all
the 漢検 games you will be well beyond a scholar's
grasp...<BR><BR>Textbooks, of course, are also great, but I believe in
following all of the paths, and I think that media, especially television,
is the way to fluency. It worked for me well beyond
Japanese...<BR><BR>-d<BR><BR><BR>----- Original Message ----- From: "BC"
<<A href="mailto:pencileraser@gmail.com"
target=_blank>pencileraser@gmail.com</A>>
<DIV class=im><BR>To: <<A
href="mailto:KineJapan@lists.acs.ohio-state.edu"
target=_blank>KineJapan@lists.acs.ohio-state.edu</A>><BR></DIV>Sent:
Thursday, February 04, 2010 10:36 PM
<DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV class=h5><BR>Subject: Re: Japanese language programs<BR><BR><BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="BORDER-LEFT: rgb(204,204,204) 1px solid; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; PADDING-LEFT: 1ex"
class=gmail_quote>In case you are considering doing something stateside,
you might try the<BR>Monterey Institute of International Studies in
California or the Middlebury<BR>programs in Vermont (though these might
be geared towards younger people? I<BR>don't know much about
Middlebury). I believe that Cornell also does<BR>something
similar.<BR><BR>Some years ago when I was starting out I did an
intensive Japanese program<BR>at Stanford's summer session, and it was
exceedingly good because there were<BR>only two of us in the
class!<BR><BR>But if you can manage to get to Japan to do it, by all
means go that route.<BR><BR>I wouldn't under any circumstance recommend
Rosetta Stone. Textbooks<BR>(usually of 1970s-80s vintage are
best) will get you up to speed in no time;<BR>as a PhD candidate I
assume you have no qualms about reading! It will help<BR>you in
the long run more than fun graphics and flashcard drills will.
(With<BR>apologies to previous poster.)<BR><BR>Barring all of these
options, you can have your own intensive program by<BR>hiring a tutor
privately. This may hurt your pocketbook, but Tachibana<BR>Takashi
seems to agree that you can learn something 10x faster when you do<BR>it
alone; group classes lessen the cost, but also the learning
potential.<BR><BR>Benito Cachinero<BR><BR><BR>On Thu, Feb 4, 2010 at
10:30 PM, <<A href="mailto:drainer@mpinet.net"
target=_blank>drainer@mpinet.net</A>> wrote:<BR><BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="BORDER-LEFT: rgb(204,204,204) 1px solid; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; PADDING-LEFT: 1ex"
class=gmail_quote>Hi Robyn,<BR><BR>Unfortunately that seems to be the
requirement for most formal<BR>institutions, though I think there
could be placement tests. Perhaps others<BR>on the list could give you
better advice on specifics.<BR><BR>Cornell University also has a good
program (FALCON) designed for<BR>beginner/intermediate/advanced
students, though the costs are a bit<BR>prohibitive.<BR><BR>There are
many intensive language schools in Japan, some good, many
bad.<BR>There is an institute which keeps costs low--the name escapes
me, anyone<BR>remember it? I think it is somewhere in kansai and
starts with an Y, though<BR>I am not sure at all....<BR><BR>Your best
bet would be an intensive course at a university in Japan for
one<BR>or two semesters, though I am not sure if you have the time as
you are a<BR>focusing on the PhD.<BR><BR>To be honest, I would even
recommend Rosetta Stone, if you've got the time<BR>and patience and
can get it through your department. It's not the greatest<BR>learning
tool in the world, but it works well enough for an
intermediate<BR>learner or someone adept at listening.<BR><BR>I did
not take three semesters of Japanese at university, so I had to
learn<BR>on my own (and trust me, I never studied). In my experience,
listening is<BR>the key...the hardest part is bridging the gap between
intermediate and<BR>advanced...after that, just get a Nintendo DS and
some Kanji learning games!<BR><BR><BR>-d<BR><BR><BR><BR>----- Original
Message ----- From: "Robyn Citizen" <<A
href="mailto:rc1434@nyu.edu"
target=_blank>rc1434@nyu.edu</A>><BR><BR>To: <<A
href="mailto:KineJapan@lists.acs.ohio-state.edu"
target=_blank>KineJapan@lists.acs.ohio-state.edu</A>><BR>Sent:
Thursday, February 04, 2010 9:55 PM<BR><BR>Subject: Re: Japanese
language programs<BR><BR><BR> Thanks! I checked into IUC but the
it seems that I have to be somewhat<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="BORDER-LEFT: rgb(204,204,204) 1px solid; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; PADDING-LEFT: 1ex"
class=gmail_quote>more proficient in Kanji (500-700 characters) then
I currently am and need<BR>to have three semesters of university
courses in Japanese.<BR><BR>Robyn Citizen<BR>PhD Candidate<BR>Cinema
Studies<BR>New York University<BR>alternate e-mail: <A
href="mailto:ladykaede1221@gmail.com"
target=_blank>ladykaede1221@gmail.com</A><BR><BR><BR><BR>"I'm giving
her all she's got Captain!" - Scotty, Star Trek
2009<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>----- Original Message -----<BR>From:
Lindsay Nelson <<A href="mailto:lrnelson@usc.edu"
target=_blank>lrnelson@usc.edu</A>><BR>Date: Thursday, February
4, 2010 9:45 pm<BR>Subject: Re: Japanese language programs<BR>To: <A
href="mailto:KineJapan@lists.acs.ohio-state.edu"
target=_blank>KineJapan@lists.acs.ohio-state.edu</A><BR><BR> I
second IUC Yokohama, have heard great things from friends who did
it--I<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="BORDER-LEFT: rgb(204,204,204) 1px solid; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; PADDING-LEFT: 1ex"
class=gmail_quote>did a one-year intensive program at Sophia that
was really helpful (I<BR>think<BR>they've also got a summer course
now, <A href="http://www.sophia.ac.jp"
target=_blank>www.sophia.ac.jp</A>), and I applied<BR>for
a<BR>similar program at Waseda.<BR><BR>On Thu, Feb 4, 2010 at 6:40
PM, Eija Niskanen <<A href="mailto:eija.niskanen@gmail.com"
target=_blank>eija.niskanen@gmail.com</A><BR>>wrote:<BR><BR>>
Hi!<BR>><BR>> This one, IUC in Yokohama, is a good one. I
studied their 1-yr<BR>> program, but they have summer courses
as well.<BR>><BR>> <A
href="http://www.stanford.edu/dept/IUC/"
target=_blank>http://www.stanford.edu/dept/IUC/</A><BR>><BR>>
Eija<BR>><BR>> On Fri, Feb 5, 2010 at 11:37 AM, Robyn
Citizen <<A href="mailto:rc1434@nyu.edu"
target=_blank>rc1434@nyu.edu</A>> > wrote:<BR>> > Hi
all,<BR>> ><BR>> > I was wondering if anyone on the
list could recommend a good<BR>program or<BR>> school in Japan
for intensive short-term (summer) Japanese lessons.<BR>>
><BR>> > I've been learning Japanese informally and
through weekly Japan > ><BR>Society<BR>> classes for a
couple of years now and have decided that at 30 and<BR>with
a<BR>> natural ineptitude when it comes to grammar, I probably
need to<BR>invest in<BR>> the immersion experience if only for
a brief period.<BR>> ><BR>> > Ideally, this will put
me on the right track to being able to watch<BR>> Japanese
movies without subtitles - which is necessary since I can<BR>only
find<BR>> certain films like KIKU TO ISAMU, without them - and
read the<BR>original text<BR>> of film reviews and analyses by
Japanese critics.<BR>> ><BR>> > Thanks much,<BR>>
><BR>> > Robyn Citizen<BR>> > PhD Candidate<BR>>
> Cinema Studies<BR>> > New York University<BR>> >
alternate e-mail: <A href="mailto:ladykaede1221@gmail.com"
target=_blank>ladykaede1221@gmail.com</A><BR>> ><BR>>
><BR>> ><BR>> > "I'm giving her all she's got
Captain!" - Scotty, Star Trek 2009<BR>> ><BR>>
><BR>> ><BR>> ><BR>>
><BR>><BR>><BR>><BR>> --<BR>> Eija
Niskanen<BR>> c/o Fujita<BR>> Kichijoji Honcho
4-12-6<BR>> Musashino-shi<BR>> Tokyo
180-0004<BR>><BR><BR></BLOCKQUOTE><BR></BLOCKQUOTE><BR></BLOCKQUOTE><BR></BLOCKQUOTE><BR></DIV></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV><BR><BR
clear=all><BR>-- <BR>Benito Cachinero<BR><A
href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/benitocachinero">http://www.linkedin.com/in/benitocachinero</A><BR></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV><BR>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 12px" class=Apple-style-span>
<P style="MARGIN: 0px"><FONT class=Apple-style-span face=Helvetica><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Helvetica" class=Apple-style-span>Bruce
Baird</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0px"><FONT class=Apple-style-span face=Helvetica><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Helvetica" class=Apple-style-span>Assistant
Professor</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0px"><FONT class=Apple-style-span face=Helvetica><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Helvetica" class=Apple-style-span>Asian Languages and
Literatures</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0px"><FONT class=Apple-style-span face=Helvetica><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Helvetica" class=Apple-style-span>University of
Massachusetts Amherst</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0px"><FONT class=Apple-style-span face=Helvetica><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Helvetica" class=Apple-style-span>But</SPAN></FONT><FONT
class=Apple-style-span face=Helvetica><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Helvetica"
class=Apple-style-span>ô</SPAN></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span
face=Helvetica><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Helvetica" class=Apple-style-span>,
Japanese Theater, Intellectual History</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0px; MIN-HEIGHT: 14px; FONT: 12px Helvetica"><BR
style="FONT-FAMILY: Helvetica"></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0px"><FONT class=Apple-style-span face=Helvetica><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Helvetica" class=Apple-style-span>7</SPAN></FONT><FONT
class=Apple-style-span face=Helvetica><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Helvetica"
class=Apple-style-span>17 Herter Hall</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0px"><FONT class=Apple-style-span face=Helvetica><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Helvetica" class=Apple-style-span>161 Presidents
Drive</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0px"><FONT class=Apple-style-span face=Helvetica><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Helvetica" class=Apple-style-span>University of
Massachusetts Amherst</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0px"><FONT class=Apple-style-span face=Helvetica><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Helvetica" class=Apple-style-span>Amhers