[citation needed] The software uses images, text, and sound to teach words and grammar by spaced repetition, without translation.

The software's name and logo allude to the ancient stone slab of the same name on which the Decree of Memphis is inscribed in three writing systems.

In a Rosetta Stone Language Learning exercise, the learner pairs sound or text to one of several images.

In writing exercises, the software provides an on-screen keyboard for the user to type characters that are not in the Latin alphabet or accents that may not be in their native language.

If the learner has a microphone, the software will evaluate word pronunciation using the embedded speech recognition engine, TrueAccent.

[1] By the end of 1996, Rosetta Stone Version 1 had a selection of nine level-one language courses (Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish) and four level-two courses (English, French, German, Spanish).

A CD-ROM product called The Rosetta Stone PowerPac featured introductory versions of seven of the courses.

At this time, Fairfield Language Technologies had already begun development of the Arabic, Esperanto, Hebrew, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Swahili, Thai, and Vietnamese courses.

[1] At Version 2, Fairfield continued to add more language courses, but also marketed more editions of The Rosetta Stone software.

Because many consumers found The Rosetta Stone to be too expensive, Fairfield started a series of "Explorer" editions.

Then there was Global Traveler, a CD-ROM and electronic translation dictionary package for people requiring some facility in English, French, Spanish, Italian, or German.

Aside from the minor differences, the homeschool edition is essentially the same as the personal edition—except for the supplemental CD with written exercises and lesson plans.

Compatibility The standalone boxed version of the software unfortunately no longer runs on Modern operating systems due to most browsers dropping support for Adobe Flash.

The student then moves on to one of the following lesson modes: Pronunciation, Writing, Vocabulary, Grammar, Listening, Reading, Speaking.

[11] Rosetta Stone Inc. offered the first awards of the grant program to the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana[12] and the Navajo Language Renaissance coalition.

[18][19] Frequent criticism of the program arises in its lack of sensitivity to the differences between the various languages it comes in and their respective cultures.

[20] Early versions of the software presented the same concepts in the same order, using the same images taken mostly in the Washington, D.C. area near the company's headquarters at the time in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

The Persian language CD was using the Western picture set, which explains why the images were not culturally relevant.

[21] Writing in 1997, Donald McRae of Brock University said that Rosetta Stone represented "good pedagogy" and that "the authors of the program never lose sight of solid teaching methodology".

[23] One of Kaiser's observations was that Rosetta Stone software fails to provide a relevant cultural context.

Because the company uses the same stock photographs for all its language courses, they depict people, activities, and manufactured goods that are conspicuously American.

Kaiser also found that Rosetta Stone Version 2 does not provide a way for students to evaluate their conversation skills, and that some of the words and phrases are too English-based.

"Rather, it utilizes the glitz of the multimedia capabilities of the computer, a dearth of quality foreign language software, and clever marketing to create an economically successful product.

The United States Army "E-Learning", a SkillPort product, offered the full Version 3 Online, with the exception of only a few languages.

[42] The U.S. Department of State uses Rosetta Stone (Version 3 as of 2009) as a companion to their in-class and distance learning language programs provided through the Foreign Service Institute.

The student will speak into a microphone and speech recognition software will correct mispronounced words, according to Reilly Brennan, Rosetta Stone's Director of Public Relations.

The course is available to adults who want to complete a degree for teaching and non-degree seeking students are eligible to take the class.

The program is accessed completely online and follows a syllabus approved by Rosetta Stone and James Madison University.