Oh mighty Rosetta Stone

I'm learning spanish from the computer program, Rosetta Stone. It's a pretty fascinating program, but I have to admit something:

I'm afraid of it.

I'm afraid of it the way elderly people are afraid of computers. It's a mix of distrust, paranoia--the feeling that it's always watching you.

Why?

The pronunciation portion of the program (check out that alliteration) can tell if you're saying vowels correctly, sounds, entire words. Mispronounce something and the computer makes a sad little noise and prompts you to try again. It's incredibly sensitive, and seems to know when I'm not paying attention, or not trying hard enough.

So I find myself acting like a little kid with a strict teacher as I sit in front of the computer. I sit up straighter, sneak glances at my cell phone only between lessons, and whisper to people over the top of my screen as if I'm talking in class.

As I type this, the Rosetta Stone logo on the bottom of the screen is watching me.

It's for class, I swear, Rosetta Stone. This not a leisure activity. What? O.K., I'll go study.