Abstract:

Rosetta Stone is a well-known language learning program that allows effective and scalable learning in more than 20 languages. This paper highlights the approach University of Barcelona (UB) has taken in integrating Rosetta Stone into its current language program and demonstrates the results and successes achieved in creating a virtual learning environment (VLE) to support an online language-learning delivery.

Rosetta Stone was chosen by the UB for several reasons:
• Allowed flexible integration into the UB’s current program
• Wide variety of languages offered, which can be studied simultaneously
• Immersion method which focuses on speech production and pronunciation and prepares students to start using the language immediately
• Online delivery enables tracking students’ progress continuously
• Students can access the program online whenever and wherever is convenient for them

Since students were supposed to work independently with the program, without the direct guidance of a language teacher, there was the need to create a learning environment that would support their individual work with Rosetta Stone. For this purposes, the UB made Rosetta Stone available through its VLE, which is based on Moodle and offers many different options to support students and make their learning experience more successful.

UB first created the VLE “Rosetta Stone”, open to all students, where information about Rosetta Stone was made available, including demos and videos, so that students would have the necessary information before deciding whether to sign up for a license. Also available was a detailed description of the languages and levels offered, and the correlation to the Common European Framework. Finally, the VLE was used to complete students’ registration.

UB also created the VLE “Rosetta Stone Campus”, which was restricted to registered students, where they could interact with each other, sharing their learning experiences, as well as any challenges they faced while working with the program. UB opened several discussion forums and also offered content to support users (documentation, unit contents, level placement tests, evaluation tests, other language learning resources, etc).

During the year that Rosetta Stone was implemented, students have shown their satisfaction with the program and the VLE created to support their learning. This has been shown in a survey which was delivered to students at the end of the year. During this presentation, the results of the survey will be presented, as well as the main conclusions that can be extracted from this innovative project carried out at the UB.

Keywords:

Virtual learning environment, on-line language learning, student support, University of Barcelona, Rosetta Stone, Moodle.