With the ever-increasing global competition, overcoming the communication barrier is no longer a luxury but a necessity. From traveling to job promotion and self-development, some opportunities come with being multilingual that were previously unavailable. So, naturally, there is a rise in courses that can be taken from the comfort of one’s home. There are a vast array of choices for such courses as Babbel and Rosetta Stone. However, many questions like “Babble vs Rosetta Stone” arise among internet users.
In this article, you are going to learn all the differences between Babbel and Rosetta Stone. I will be comparing them in terms of their pros and cons as well as indicating which service is better for language learning. It does not matter if you are a beginner or an expert, the following distinctions will help you greatly.
What are Babbel and Rosetta Stone?
Let’s start with a basic introduction to these two platforms.
Babbel:
Babbel was founded in 2007 and it is meant to be more oriented in real-life interaction. It is famous for having brief lessons in its structured curriculum. Moreover, language is often taught using a series of drill-like activities meant to educate students about vocabulary and grammar. The major advantage of the program is that each lesson lasts for 10 to 15 minutes. This allows one to incorporate language learning into his or her busy lifestyle.
Rosetta Stone:
Its platform has been in the market since 1992 making it one of the oldest language learning platforms. Unlike translation, Rosetta Stone’s approach involves using images, words, and sounds. It helps in a context where learners are slowly introduced to the language as they begin their multilingual journey. This way the users can do their practice in the new language instead of flipping between two languages.
Both platforms have developed a good amount of trust in the marketplace. As a result, how does one arrive at the ideal pick for their self-development?
Who is best suited for language learning platforms?
Babbel and Rosetta Stone aren’t the same and not each type of learner fits into the same learning style. Let’s break it down.
Babbel is ideal for learners who:
- Would like to be able to speak fluently in real-life scenarios.
- Like the choice of lessons where the course is more structured.
- Wish to learn in small portions and are looking for lessons that can fit into their tight schedules.
- Like grammar descriptions and would like to know how sentences are formed.
Rosetta Stone is best suited for learners who:
- Rather just put themselves in an immersive environment.
- Like to avoid paying too much attention to grammar in favor of listening and speaking skills.
- Can be patient and spend more time on each session which takes many hours.
- Be creative with pictures and context and no translations.
Can you use Babbel and Rosetta Stone on any device?
As far as device compatibility is concerned, the two have displayed a great deal of flexibility. So, the users can be able to access their lessons through different devices.
Babbel can be used on:
- IOS and Android
- Tablets
- PCs
The possible continuity of progress across all devices so you can use any of the devices interchangeably. Say you are learning on your phone while commuting to work, Babbel can handle it.
Rosetta Stone is also available on multiple devices:
- Smartphones (iOS &Android)
- Tablets
- On desktops, and through web browsers.
There are offline capabilities too which make it possible to download lessons and continue learning from a non-internet source.
How do Babbel and Rosetta Stone teach languages?
Now let’s examine in detail the following teaching techniques offered by Babbel vs. Rosetta Stone. Despite both of them being in the process of teaching new languages, the two methods are significantly distinct.
Babbel’s teaching method:
Babbel is built this way to focus on how individuals out there will use the language in their day-to-day conversations. The platform shares with you phrases and words that you are likely to use when you are conversing. These include making a reservation for meals, bookings for other means of transport, or when you are introducing yourself.
Lessons are broken down into short, interactive sessions that include:
- Vocabulary: In Babbel, new words are taught with the way they will be used in your daily lives.
- Grammar: Grammar aspects are also included in the lessons in a rather unobtrusive manner. These explanations are performative, enabling you to build up your sentences.
- Pronunciation: There’s also speech recognition included in the features of Babbel to help you out with your pronunciation. In this case, you can practice the words and the phrases in question until you master how to pronounce them correctly.
- Cultural insights: It also has cultural tips, which put into context what you are learning in terms of the language you are practicing.
Rosetta Stone’s teaching method:
The kind of learning that Rosetta Stone adopts is called Dynamic Immersion. This is like learning languages as one learns his/her first language as they grow up. The platform works by using context and relation rather than direct interpretation.
Here’s how it works:
- No translations: Rosetta Stone still lacks the translation feature that is present in Babbel. However, it offers pop-ups that display pictures and phrases, and then require you to match them.
- Focus on listening and speaking: In contrast to some other language-learning software, Rosetta Stone puts a lot of effort into listening and speaking.
- Contextual learning: You get accustomed to words as well as phrases as a part of images and scenarios. This makes it easier to understand their meanings.
- Minimal grammar explanations: There is no direct teaching of grammar but the learning occurs through the practical use of the language.
Which learning method works better?
Each learning method works and serves a given purpose depending on the learning style and/or preferences of the learner.
✚ For practical, fast learning: If you want to learn foreign languages with an emphasis placed on conversational skills, Babbel with structured lessons would be preferable.
✚ For long-term, immersive learning: If you are willing to dedicate enough time and want to force yourself into speaking the target language then the Rosetta Stone learning method is perfect for you. Lack of translation makes you operate within your target language, and in the long run, this is very successful.
What languages can you learn from Babbel and Rosetta Stone?
Next, the languages that are being offered for each platform can be one of the keys that dictate your decision.
Babbel offers 14 languages, including:
- Spanish
- French
- German
- Italian
- Portuguese
- Dutch
- Russian
- Turkish
- Polish
- Swedish
- Danish
- Norwegian
- Indonesian
- English
It’s essential to mention that Babbel concentrates on European and popular world languages. So for people, studying one of these languages, Babbel is a great choice.
Rosetta Stone offers 24 languages, including:
- Spanish
- French
- German
- Italian
- Portuguese
- Dutch
- Russian
- Turkish
- Polish
- Swedish
- Danish
- Arabic
- Chinese (Mandarin)
- Japanese
- Korean
- Hindi
- Vietnamese
- Filipino
- Greek
- Hebrew
- Persian (Farsi)
- English
Rosetta Stone has a larger list, especially for languages that aren’t common such as Hindi, Persian, or Vietnamese. This makes it the better option in case one wants to learn a language that is not popularly used.
Are there any special courses offered?
These two platforms also offer niche courses, which will suit unique learners’ needs.
- Babbel offers some categories that include business language, travel, and culture lessons.
- Incorporated in the Rosetta Stone courses are pronunciation and vocabulary-building courses, which learners taking more focused courses could find useful.
How about the language content quality?
In general, it can be noted that one can encounter a significant difference in the quality of the language on different platforms when comparing Babbel vs Rosetta Stone.
Babbel is an ideal app for learning since the lessons offered are very informative, and at the same time quite useful. Ideally, due to its conversational nature, you get to know the kind of language that can be used in business or any setting. Most of Babbel’s courses are developed by language professionals to ensure high quality and the use of the right information.
However, Rosetta Stone drills down to formal structure and enhances structure in the acquisition process so that the learner has well-rooted interlanguage. The immersion method is quite efficient for the explanation of the language’s logic and the sequence of learning. This is true even if it seems to be slow for some learners.
How much do Babbel and Rosetta Stone cost?
Pricing is one of the determining features that prove to be critical when choosing between Babbel and Rosetta Stone.
Babbel Pricing:
- Monthly subscription: $13.95
- 3-month plan: $9.95/month
- 6-month plan: $8.45/month
- 12-month plan: $6.95/month
Rosetta Stone Pricing:
- 3-month plan: $15.99/month
- 12-month plan: $10.99/month
- Lifetime subscription: $55 for a single language and $399 for access to all languages.
Which platform offers the best value for money?
For learners who want short-term learning or learners who want to learn grammar along with language, Babbel is a better option. Moreover, it is cheaper than its competitors in the market. However, if you have plans of learning different languages or would want access to immersive learning, then Rosetta Stone is the better pick. It all comes down to your budget and your learning needs.
Babbel vs. Rosetta Stone: Which is better for learning?
Let’s compare Babbel vs. Rosetta Stone in a simple table:
| Feature | Babbel | Rosetta Stone |
|---|---|---|
| Learning method | Practical conversations | Immersive learning |
| Languages offered | 14 | 24 |
| Pricing | Affordable | Pricey |
| Special courses | Business and travel | Pronunciation and vocabulary |
| Lesson length | 15 minutes | 60 minutes |
My opinion:
Babbel is a better tool that is useful for getting some practical and fast knowledge of a foreign language. However, if you want to learn a language as much as you can and need access to less popular languages Rosetta Stone has you covered.
Can I use Babbel and Rosetta Stone together?
Yes, it is viable to use them simultaneously. Learning with both apps might have a positive impact on your learning outcomes. Someone could take Babbel to practice conversation while the other takes Rosetta Stone to develop the structures of a certain language. Still, it’s very important to make sure that you do not overwork yourself. So, take things slow and keep your pace.
Why is it important for kids to balance learning and leisure?
Even when learning and teaching take place in the digital form it is very crucial to ration the time spent on the screen, more so for children. Too much screen time can lead to:
- Eye strain
- Reduced attention span
- Physical inactivity
How can FlashGet Kids help parents maintain balance
The FlashGet Kids app allows you to control the time your kid spends on the device, whether they are learning or playing. It can help you with:
- Placing time restraints on educational applications such as Babbel and Rosetta Stone.
- Offer thorough report analysis, so the daily usage can be easily monitored.
- Enable screen time restrictions and app blocking to keep kids disciplined.
Using FlashGet Kids you can make sure your kid can keep track of their physical health when learning and playing. So, test out this digital nanny for free.
Are there other language-learning platforms worth considering?
Now that we have compared Babbel vs. Rosetta Stone, it’s clear that while both are useful, there are other platforms out there that might also be of service.
- Duolingo: For those, who have never been in contact with foreign languages or who don’t want to take intensive courses.
- Pimsleur: This is based on the use of audio materials. So it is best to practice speaking when you have little time to spend.
Conclusion
It is important to state that in the case of Babbel vs Rosetta Stone, the answer cannot be quite clear-cut. Babbel will be duly suitable to those who plan to master certain segments of communication quickly. Similarly, although Rosetta Stone requires more time, it is one of the best options for those learners who prefer to study deeply.
It does not matter which option you prefer, it is always important to ensure that you or your kids don’t overexert themselves. That is where FlashGet Kids comes in to add value in assisting parents. It will help in monitoring time spent and encouraging healthy learning.
Frequently asked questions
Can you cancel subscriptions on these platforms?
Yes, you can cancel your subscription at any time on both Babbel and Rosetta Stone. Still, the amount of refund that you might be eligible for depends on the type of subscription.
Is Babbel or Rosetta Stone enough to be fluent?
Both may assist you in reaching conversational proficiency. But to achieve native-like speaking skills, one will need to practice more and speak with native speakers.
