Language-learning software company Rosetta Stone is expanding its on-the-go coursework capabilities for corporate and government consumers via an iPad application.

The app lets already existent Rosetta Stone TOTALe users speak, listen and read foreign language tools as a way to interact more with their learning experience, including speech-recognition technology. The app is currently available in Apple?s App Store to customers who have already purchased the Rosetta Stone TOTALe system.

?Rosetta Stone has been looking into mobile platforms for the last 6 and one-half years because it makes sense for our users who are already busy and on-the-go, and want to spend time learning a foreign language on their mobile devices,? said Mike Fulkerson, chief technology officer of Rosetta Stone, Arlington, VA.

?We knew from when the iPad was launched that the platform would be an ideal place for our product to spring to life with interactive features,? he said.

Rosetta Stone is a language-learning software that lets users learn more than 30 languages through personalized, interactive lesson plans.

Learning by doing
According to Mr. Fulkerson, both Rosetta Stone and mobile devices have similar goals when it comes to engaging with consumers. 

In particular, the clicking and speech-recognition features of the desktop programs transition well to mobile platforms.

?We believe in the idea that doing something physical or interactive helps people learn,? Mr. Fulkerson said.

?The touch ability on the iPad was a compelling option for us to create a mobile app because it makes the learning experience more personal,? he said.

Hand-held language
The app is available exclusively to Rosetta Stone customers who have already purchased the company?s TOTALe system.

The Rosetta Stone TOTALe system is comprised of three different parts: Rosetta Course, Rosetta Studio and Rosetta World.

In the Rosetta Course section of the software, users are walked through the basic functions of the program, including self-study vocabulary, speaking and grammar.

Consumers move through lesson plans, they are introduced to Rosetta Studio, where they get live, 50-minute practice sessions with Rosetta employees.

Customers can also opt-in to learn with a native speaker.

The final part of the Rosetta Stone software is the Rosetta World, where users can play short interactive games with others or individually.

As a final method of learning, customers consumers can have full conversations with native speakers and other users.

Currently, the TOTALe Companion HD app only includes the Rosetta Course section of the program.

Rosetta Stone developed the app to meet the demands of their on-the-go customers and see the app as an extension of the desktop experience.

?Around 98 percent of the functionality found on desktop publishing is available on the iPad app,? Mr. Fulkerson said.

On the app, customers can use speech-recognition technology and sync the program on their laptops with their iPads.

Customers can also practice speaking, listening and reading activities on the app.

?Right now, our mission at Rosetta Stone is bringing together the computer-based program with the app to give customers a way to access courses wherever they are,? Mr. Fulkerson said.

We see the app as a supplement, but I predict in the future, we will begin to rely more and cloud and mobile technology as the best way to connect with our users,? he said.