Self-access Language Packages
Evaluation Criteria for Rosetta Stone
Staff Department_________
Languages Supported:
Essential
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Arabic
Mandarin Chinese
English
French
German
Italian
Japanese
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish
Desirable
Other languages? Which ones?
Level of study:
Essential
Proficiency level to B2
Desirable
Up to C2
Alphabet Support:
Essential
Does it support Russian Alphabet
Does it support Chinese Alphabet
Does it support Japanese Alphabet
Does it support Arabic Alphabet
Cross-Platform Compatibility:
Essential
PC – Windows XP
PC – Windows 7
Mac compatible
iPad
Mobile
Desirable
Mobile App
User-friendliness:
Essential
Straight-forward for students to use
Straight-forward for staff to use
Study options available:
Essential
Self-access mode / self-study
Feedback to student (online automated marking)
Vocabulary building (exercises)
Grammar tutorials & exercises
Listening activities: video
Listening activities: audio
Careful progression (difficulty, planning)
Reading
Writing
Speaking: recording facilities
Speaking: feedback?
Allows for revision
Monitoring progression (recording achievement)
Variety of approaches
Variety of tasks
Variety of topics
Small skill-based units (lengthwise)
Desirable
Languages for specific purposes (business, social studies)
Class mode (whole class activity)
Feedback (online to lecturer) / follow up (homework)
Online tutor
Language (regional, national) varieties
Online chat with other learners (oral synchronic; written asynchronic)
Questions: Product & Licensing options:
Individual licence
Infinite licences
Limit to student access (numbers) at any one time
Institution licence/site license
Annual fee vs. sub ascription
Charge for support after licensing?
Charge for upgrades?
Lecturer license (class mode) vs student license?
Access / Integration with Blackboard:
Essential
Can be directly accessed from links within Blackboard
Desirable
Direct access to specific language / level
No separate usernames / passwords required
Building Block integration (preferable to integration with SRS)
Grades passed back to Blackboard grade center
Progress passed back to Blackboard grade center
SCORM compliant packages
No installation of software onto computers required