Tell Me More is the worst curriculum I have ever seen!!!

We actually liked Rosetta Stone. We used to have it free through the library. We are likely going to go back and just pay the money to purchase it now. I had wanted each child to chose their language, but for the price, I am going to basically need to have all the children take the same language. I think we can work with that. It was a luxury to allow each child to do their own thing.

 

You made a comment previously to the effect of "you have not used it either" which gives the strong impression that you mean you never used it. Also, when I described it and exactly what the program entailed, you never disputed it or offered up your own description. If it worked so much better for you and your description were different, rather than just saying I am wrong, you could offer specific suggestions as to why the program is presenting itself like it is. Because a word search with NO instruction is hardly educational. Having people fill in the blank on complex sentences in what is essentually the first lesson of the first begininner level is not exactly teaching anything. It barely even indicated a wrong answer nor did it tell what the right answer was. It just eventually ended the exercise with no feedback at all, no explanation of what was supposed to be done, nothing. And why would it go in to long complex sentences in the very first exercise of the very begining first level? Also, why did the very first page show complex sentences next to pictures and them tell you to listen carefully before selecting an answer, yet, not even give a place to put an answer or even have a question to begin with? I assumed the point was to pick the sentence that might fit best, only once I switched over to a language that I could read, I found that all the sentences fit.

So I was specific in my review of this program. All you have done is insist that I am wrong and then finally, in your last post, vaguely indicate that you were using some version of the program. Are you using the one by Auralog that is done 100% on the computer? http://www.tellmemore.com/ As far as I can tell, their prices are slightly cheaper than Rosetta Stone, but not a lot.

 

Thanks for the review...it is always good to hear what others think about a curriculum product. I guess it is also good to know that is works for other people too.

We looked at this for French. I actually called the support people here in Oz, because the supplier here couldn't tell me anything about the homeschool version, including where I could get it from. The technical support people here were great...prompt in relpying, helpful. I actually exchanged several emails with the guy I spoke to, and during that time decided not to go with the program, because after using the online demo (which was an actual lesson) I decided it was way too advanced for us, and the speech recognition software was difficult to use b/c it couldn't understand our accents. Anyway, when I told the guy I had decided to go with another program, he wanted to know why. When I told him, he sent us a free book & CD (not tell me more, but from the same company) to thank me for my time. Maybe the support people in USA could learn from their Aussie colleagues?!!

 

Remote Access = the actual program not being installed on YOUR system.... you are STILL relying on the library computer for the bulk. If it is not a dedicated server trust me it will have issues and honestly - shame on your library because the problem is with remote access (again NOT a software issue with the Tell Me More program)

It's a pain in the tush I know....... and I'd be annoyed as well - especially if I had to pay the library to use it. But when I used Rosetta Stone - I'd get bumped off in the middle of a lesson and a bunch of other garbage - it wasn't Rosetta Stones problem - but the library's computer network.

No 100+ people don't have to be going to that specific program - but if they are running ANYTHING else on that computer - then they could be using up the resources.

SeekingtheLord DOES own the program and uses it -she got and (and stated in an earlier post) that she got it from the sale that was at homeschoolbuyersco-op (which I'm still mad I missed)

Trust me - I'd be ticked off too - but I'm just not sure the total blame should be on the software vs the way the library is running it.

 

:?:

Not in this thread. I might have said that I had not gotten it yet or had not yet installed it in an older thread, but that would have been some time ago.

You also gave no point of reference as to what what "objective" you were using in the program: listening comprehension, written comprehension, oral expression, written expression, vocabulary, or grammar? How can I respond to specifics when you did not provide any point of reference within the program? Besides, it seemed to me that you were not asking for help with using the program, only stating your complaints about it. I would be glad to help you with my limited understanding of how the program works, but I think the majority of the problems you have experienced is with the remote access. It is an immersion program and that method of learning a language is frustrating for some people; I strongly advise anyone looking to buy a language program to not do so without without a trial. However, technical problems are a completely different issue and I just don't have any.

 

Yes, we love RS. It was expensive but completely worth it in my opinion. My son has been doing Japanese this whole year and I haven't even had to chime in for months now. I did the first few weeks with him but eventually I just didn't have the time to keep up.

As far as immersion goes - RS is immersion too but from what I can see it teaches you the new language the same way you learned your first language. Listening and looking. We have struggled with the different Japanese characters with writing, but I think that even native Japaense speakers struggle with characters.

I think this thread is a perfect example of how people prefer differnt curriculums based on their own experiences and learning styles and it is always good to hear negative reviews so that other families can decide if that would be an issue they can relate to, or not.

I had heard some negative things about RS before I purchased it - mostly relating to "not teaching grammar" but it turns out they do teach grammar - just not in a written conjugation form. It took me a long time to decide which foreign language program was going to work for us and I think that if you are going to shell out a few hundred dollars you might as well pick the one that fits you perfectly.

In my opinion - this negative review of Tell Me More is valuable, as are all negative reviews. There is nothing worse than trying to decide on a curriculum and every website you go to only gives you the positives. That is impossible - everything has a negative. That doesn't mean that program or curriculum is bad (it may or may not be) it just means that there was an issue that hindered success for that person.

Aren't you glad Momofafew, that you didn't shell out 300 bucks for a program that didn't fit you and your kids!!!

 

Oh!
Ok, I get it now.
I thought you were having to go to the library and install it on THEIR computers. Sorry.

We have something similar that we can use to listen to Audio Books from the library.

I understand now, thanks.