Jump to content

Rocket Languages (software)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Rocket Languages Ltd is an online language learning company founded in 2004 by Jason Oxenham and Mark Ling.[1]

Language courses

[edit]

Rocket Languages offers 26 courses in 13 languages. All courses are web-based, do not require extra software installation and are compatible with Mac and PC.[2]

Course access is provided via an online portal that requires a login, either on desktop or through an iOS or Android app. Members have lifetime access to their purchased materials which can be download for offline use.

Courses provide a variety of lessons in speaking, writing, listening, reading and culture.[3] Other learning tools include voice recognition technology, interactive tests, personalized word lists, flashcards and motivational features.[4]

Languages offered include Spanish, Sign Language, Russian, Portuguese, Korean, Japanese, Italian, Hindi, German, French, English, Chinese, Arabic, Inglés (English for speakers of Spanish), and 英語 (Eigo; English for speakers of Japanese).

History

[edit]

When founded in 2005, Rocket Languages was self funded but became profitable after 12 months, after which revenue was reinvested back into developing new language courses.[citation needed]

Rocket Languages first developed Rocket Spanish, a Latin American Spanish course, followed by Rocket French, a French language course.[5]

As of April 2019, Rocket Languages has courses in 15 different languages.[6]

Reception

[edit]

In 2009, Rocket Languages had over 70 thousand customers of which more than half were American learners over 35 years of age.[7] Rocket Languages courses are sold internationally to over 90 countries, with the main demographic being the United States, Britain and Canada.[8]

As of January 2017, Rocket Languages has 1.2 million users worldwide.[9]

Awards

[edit]
  • 2008 Ranked 34th in the Deloitte/Unlimited Fast50 index in 2008[10]
  • 2008 Ranked 303 Deloitte Technology Fast 500 Asia Pacific 2008 Ranking and CEO Survey in 2008[11]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Online language business takes off". Stuff. The Dominion Post. October 2, 2007.
  2. ^ Tedeschi, Bob (April 25, 2012). "Serious About a New Language? Begin With Lesson 1". NY Times.
  3. ^ "Rocket Languages Premium". PC Mag. April 15, 2015.
  4. ^ "Language Learning & Technology" (PDF). October 2012.
  5. ^ "Christchurch exporter achieves 100 percent growth during recession". March 26, 2009.
  6. ^ "Rocket Languages - Speak And Understand A New Language Faster". www.rocketlanguages.com. Retrieved 2019-04-06.
  7. ^ "Rocket Languages TV3 Report 2009". Youtube. TV3.
  8. ^ "Online language business takes off". October 2, 2008.
  9. ^ Catriona, O’Shaughnessy (12 January 2015). "How to learn a language this year: 'Will a virtual teacher work for me?'". The Guardian.
  10. ^ "Deloitte Fast 50 Index" (PDF). 2008.
  11. ^ Lewis, Ken. "31 Kiwi firms make APAC Deloitte Fast 500". IT Brief. Archived from the original on 2009-04-26.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
[edit]