Anyone can tell you that the easiest way to learn a new language is through immersion, but not everyone can afford a plane ticket halfway around the world every time they want to practice their Mandarin vocabulary. Luckily, that’s not your only option.

North Island Distance Education School (NIDES) is thrilled to announce the launch of Rosetta Stone’s latest dynamic immersion program, TOTALe, as part of its International Languages Program.

TOTALe builds on the Rosetta Stone V3 program, bringing two entirely new interactive learning environments into the mix. In combining these three distinct aspects, TOTALe allows students to not only work on their lessons but also learn through fun activities and games or even practice their language skills with native speakers in online tutoring sessions.

“This social aspect of the TOTALe program is very exciting for us,” says Jeff Stewart, principal of NIDES. “After a trial run of the program, we received a unanimous response from participants: learning alongside other students in a live virtual classroom led by native speakers is a huge benefit.”

Accessible both through a student’s home computer and the computers at NIDES in Courtenay BC, Rosetta Stone V3 and TOTALe offer flexible learning plans. However, TOTALe is taking this flexibility one step further with a mobile companion, available for the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad.

Read more here.