Language learning software is fast becoming one of the most effective methods of learning a new language. Many people are turning to language learning software, and making the primary way to learn a secondary language. Almost everyone has a computer in their home, or access to one at a local library or community center. Rather than spend the time to go out and hire a language tutor or take language classes, people opt for language learning software as a way to save time. Language learning software also provides potential students a way to save thousands of dollars of the cost of regular language tutors and classes by simply buying a set of interactive courses which can be taken at any time from the comfort of the student's computer.

While there are a variety of language learning programs and software available on the market, the three most popular and effective ones have been listed and included here for your education. I can make no claims on which language learning software is the best because I have not tried them all. However, I will try to be as accurate and objective as possible while explaining the different strong points and weak points of each program.

Rosetta Stone makes the claim that it is the easiest way to learn a new language - guaranteed. The Rosetta Stone language learning software takes a very natural approach to language education. With Rosetta Stone, no memorization or translation. The Rosetta method is touted as very natural, and comparable to the way that you learned your first language as a child. Rosetta Stone is a very interactive software which gives feedback as you learn and move forward with the language. Rosetta Stone carries the endorsement of many major publications, home school groups, and professional athletes (including swimming super-start Michael Phelps).  Rosetta Stone's method is excellent for teaching vocabulary, however many people agree that Rosetta Stone's main weakness is that it does not do a great job of teaching grammar.  All in all though, it seems that Rosetta Stone is one of the premier easy ways to learn a new language.

Priced at just $499, or even less some in some places, Rosetta stone can offer a huge savings as compared to classes at a public universities ($658) and private universities which can cost up to $2500.

While Rosetta Stone touts the fact that they offer the easiest method, the Pimsleur method claims to be among the fastest. The Pimsleur approach aims to get you speaking a different language in 10 days or less. The Pimsleur approach has been endorsed and used by members of the FBI, CIA, and countless business professionals to learn new languages and communicate with foreign language speakers more directly and effectively.  Much of the Pimsleur method is listening based, and a bit less image driven than Rosetta Stone.  The Pimsleur method is excellent for those looking to engage in literal and simple conversation.  You will most likely not learn the idioms or figurative parts of the language, but you will be able to hold basic conversations in your preferred foreign language.  Many language students have found it helpful to use the Pimsleur language course in addition to regular tutoring and language classes, rather than exclusively as a language course.

Introductory Level 1 discs for the Pimsleur course are available for about $20 usually, with the remaining levels being available for around $250.

Both the Rosetta Stone and Pimsleur language learning methods are built upon the language development patterns of children. Fluenz realizes that the people needing to learn a new language are rarely children, and should thus try to learn language in a way that is less arbitrary and makes a bit more sense to the adult mind.  Fluenz uses English as the foundation for learning a new language.  Likewise, Fluenz only (in the more beginner levels) teaches words and phrases that are practical and useful rather than just basic and elementary.  Fluenz also takes an approach which makes its language learning software much like a personal tutor, rather than a slide show of pictures and foreign words.  Endorsed by business, medical, and government professionals, the Fluenz language learning method is one which has worked for many and could possibly work for you as well.

Fluenz comes with a price tag of just over $320, a rather reasonable price as compared to other less independent and self-service programs.