Skip to content
Living Language vs. Rosetta Stone

Living Language vs. Rosetta Stone Comparison

  • Reviews
Advertisements

  Two of the most popular language learning products on the market today are Living Language audio CDs and the Rosetta Stone learning program.  In the debate on what is better between Living Language vs. Rosetta Stone, many users are loyal to one side or the other.  

While Rosetta Stone is the highest selling language learning software program in the world,  Living Language is popular among those looking for a low-cost alternative. 

 

Living Language vs. Rosetta Stone-  The Basics

Before weighing in on each of following language learning programs, let’s take a look at some of what each of these programs is known for.  

Rosetta Stone is a giant in the language learning industry

Living Language Complete Edition is a combination audio cd/book.  Originally just a book in 1946,  most Living Language programs have grown in side to 3 books, multiple audio CDs and also online learning.  

Living Language is ranked as one perhaps the best low cost language learning program and has a big following from those who support the course.   Perhaps the #1 reason why people enjoy Living Language is that it teaches the whole language, rather than break it down into just words and phrases like some language learning programs.

Rosetta Stone is the most popular language learning program in the world.  Founded by Allen Stoltzfutz in the late 1980s,  Rosetta Stone was one of the first language learning programs available to use on a PC.  

While Rosetta Stone is one of the most expensive language learning programs, it is still cheap compared to taking a class at a local college.   Many “self-learners” love how Rosetta Stone has evolved over the years and has added more and more technology to its various language programs.  

 

Pros and Cons of Each Language Learning Program  

As teachers we have used and reviewed each of the following programs.  Instead of picking one side or the other, we would like to take a look at the Pros and Cons of each as everyone learns differently.  

Pros of Living Language

  • Low priced learning tool   
  • Ability to learn at own pace  
  • Multiple ways to learn  (Audio CD,  Book and online training)
  • Offers online assistance  
  • Great for beginners, offers a basic beginners course
  • Clear speaking from CDs

Cons of Living Language

  • Some feel that too much info is crammed
  • Learning format is not friendly to visual learners  
  • Too much memorizing
  • Some feel that it is boring  

Pros of Rosetta Stone  

  • Has grown to be more interactive
  • Access to real-life native speakers  
  • Users are required to fully emerge themself into language
  • Works on any type of computer system
  • Keeps learners interested with various games

Cons of Rosetta Stone

  • Expensive compared to most language learning programs
  • Teaches very little grammar
  • Teaches how children learn, can be difficult for adults

 

Conclusion of the Rosetta Stone vs. Living Language debate

While becoming fully immersed into learning language is the best way, both Rosetta Stone and Living Language offer alternative methods to learning a language.

Living Language is great as a cheap language learning program and has expanded into Audio CDs and books as part of its overall program.   Many people enjoy Living Language due to the ability to learn at their own pace and it is great for beginners.  

Rosetta Stone is the most known language learning program in the world and this comes with both pros and cons.  Rosetta Stone’s marketing is first class, thus their ability to charge a high cost for their program.  With that being said, Rosetta Stone goes above and beyond Living Language in offering a full learning program and the ability to work with native speakers.