Fluenz French 1+2 Learning Suite Windows, Including DVDs, Audio CDs, Podcasts, and Fluenz Navigator. Next-Generation French Learning Software | 
 enlarge | From: Fluenz
Category: Software
List Price: $357.00
Buy New: $323.00
You Save: $34.00 (10%)
New (2) from $323.00
Rating:  10 reviews
Sales Rank: 658
Format: Dvd-rom
Platforms: Windows Vista, Windows Xp
Media: DVD-ROM
Operating System: Windows Vista
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 5 x 5 x 5
UPC: 804879136729
EAN: 0804879136729
ASIN: B0016ZOUUO
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Features:
| • | We custom made Fluenz French as language learners who knew there had to be a better way. With 60 sessions of up to two and one-half hours each, this is the most comprehensive software application covering the first and second levels of French anywhere. | | • | To create a live learning environment, similar to what you are used to in a classroom, language tutor Sonia Gil guides you on full motion video every step of the way. | | • | Adults do not learn in the same way as children; we need to use the rules of languages we know to learn other languages. Fluenz uses your knowledge of English as leverage for accelerating your learning of French, with an emphasis on those words you are most likely to use. | | • | A next-generation platform blends beautiful full motion video with engaging, interactive workouts, including voice recording so you can compare your accent to native speech. | | • | Included are the Fluenz French 1 and Fluenz French 2 DVD-ROMs for your computer (Windows XP / Vista), two audio CDs and exclusive, downloadable podcasts for additional training, and the handy Fluenz Navigator for on-the-go referencing of important words and phrases. |
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Product Description
Fluenz is a software company founded by a group of passionate language learners who felt there had to be a better way. We believe in the power of one-on-one tutoring, so our technology is geared towards bringing real life instruction to the computer. In our French application, language tutor Sonia Gil guides you throughout the program, blending full motion video explanations in English with a series of highly engaging workouts, helping you to understand and speak relevant French. The Fluenz system follows three clear principles: 1) We learn best when we have a teacher. It's often difficult to motivate yourself to learn on your own. By bringing a tutor to the computer, we explain all concepts in a sensible way and you don't have to tackle French all by yourself. 2) It's easier to learn French by starting out in English. French is a tough langauge to learn and we are able to progress much faster by using our knowledge of English as leverage for helping us learn French. In fact, modern linguistics tells us that as adults, we need to use the tools of the language we already know and apply them to learning a new language. With Fluenz, you learn first in English and relate basic French grammar and syntax to that of English, rather than trying to understand French grammar with French logic. 3) It's best to learn the most relevant words in French right away. You need to start learning the words and structures that will allow you to communicate the most in the least amount of time, taking into consideration which words are easier to remember for English speakers, which expressions make the most logical sense to us, and which are most useful--"cell phone" instead of "red apple." Being able to communicate right away in simple ways requires relevant learning. And, with 13 types of workouts covering verbal expression and comprehension, as well as reading and writing, you practice and internalize what you learn in the video lessons.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 5 more reviews...
It is a must October 4, 2008
Hany A. Azmy
This is the best way to learn French. Easy and very methodological, have many techniques to help memorize the lesson, and above all very nice Tutor she is so very cute...
Hany
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A customer's view of Rosetta Stone and Fluenz September 8, 2008
C. Schastok
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
I purchased, used and will return Rosetta Stone. And I've purchased, I'm using, and still haven't returned Fluenz. Although my father is German and I've been around that language all my life, I decided to learn French. When doing the initial research on available options I concluded that RS and Fluenz seemed to be the only choices for any kind of comprehensive self-teaching package. Although pricey, they were far cheaper than a French private tutor in my area, and probably cheaper than classes when factoring in all the material included.
Rosetta Stone presents an immersion type learning system in which one is supposed to learn as if one were a child. The theory behind this is that children learn languages fast, particularly their own, and going back to this stage would be productive for adults. After some reading I believe this theory was invented by Maximilian Berlitz 130 years ago, or in about 1888.
My first few hours with the program proved rewarding in the sense that I learned a great deal of vocabulary, even if a lot of it was infantile. This session gave me momentum to continue, as well as the expectation that I would be presented with some sort of sequence allowing me to tie all the vocabulary together in a productive manner. In reality, the program generated more complex phrases, instead of single words or simple phrases, but without enough logic for me to understand the underlying grammar. I understood little yet the complexity of the sentences being generated kept growing. As advertised, there were no explanations of any kind, but the troublesome part is that the material was never presented for learners with a sense of clarity. Even the so called Milestone, which offered a more dynamic situation, was not designed to offer the right grammar clues needed to able to see the whole instead of many parts. I never tried again after my second attempt, having given up on the idea that arbitrary words and phrases would contribute to my progress through the language.
Fluenz had an opposite effect on me. They proposed to explain everything in detail so that I would understand what I was learning. They further suggested that seeing French from the point of view of the English grammar would make the process a logical one. After not much reading this view seemed to come from modern Linguists followers of Chomsky, as well as those versed in Cognitive Science. I was therefore expecting a great deal of fireworks. Yet, things went off to a slow start.
At first I thought that it was too simple, progressing too slowly. I jumped through the first three lessons. When I reached the fourth lesson of Fluenz it became clear the program was nothing if not meticulous in its presentation of the material. Even more surprising, the tutor was not simply talking, but going through a careful plan. The words presented in the initial conversation were exactly the words explained by the tutor, and exactly the words in the exercises. These workouts, to use their gym parlance, were actually quite effective; and sufficiently directed to allow me to retain and be able to use all the language being taught. There is little time wasted as every word matters, and every structure can be linked to everything else being learned. Again, the pace is very deliberate for an average learner, but it is quite clear that every new step comes after the prior one has been rigorously reviewed.
I'm well into Level 2 and the standard continues to hold. Overall the media production is well done, and the program not at all difficult to run. I'm currently looking forward to finishing the program and putting all the work to the test in Quebec. My expectation is that everything will work out.
French Attempts August 21, 2008
claudio taddei
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
This is my first review in Amazon, and I'm taking the time to write it because finally, I can say that I'm learning. I've wanted to learn French pretty much all my life. I tried briefly in High School, more seriously in College, and then off and on ever since, both with computer self-teaching, tutors and classes. This is to say that I never learned much, but that I've become an expert in ways to learn French. At least I feel like I've seen them all.
Fluenz intrigued me from the beginning because the product description hit all the right notes: clear explanations, a gradual approach that doesn't throw a bunch of grammar but rather builds it slowly, along with useful, relevant vocab you can use on day one. The whole pitch got me thinking.
I had always assumed I was a big loser for not being able to learn (well, a bit of an exaggeration, but you know what I mean). I just thought I hadn't tried hard enough, but reading about Fluenz made question a lot of my experiences. Certainly the whole argument about common sense explanations in English, just enough grammar well learned, and only useful words. Those three elements, put in that way, I had never seen.
Classes at the Alliance Francais in my area were way too fast, included too many exceptions, complicated grammar, and other material that would frequently overwhelm. Whenever I studied I was on top of it, but the reality is that I still didn't couldn't have a conversation.
Then I had a tutor, not for too long, because she never wanted to talk to me in English and I didn't feel like I was progressing in any way. It was all French from the beginning til the end. Yes, sometimes I felt I was making progress, I could understand a thing here or there, but not enough to continue paying for it.
I've tried a couple of software programs, along with two websites that offered free lessons. In every single case I was never motivated after a few hours. Again I thought I was lazy, but now I realize that these programs are never designed to get you to speak the language. At any rate, all these programs seem like they use they same script for every language they teach. To them, Pashtun is no different than French, just another language to sell.
I was skeptical about Fluenz, or rather, about my ability to complete it. But because the product description made me think about these other programs in a very different light I decided to give it a try. And I've been pleasantly surprised.
Fluenz is effective, simple as that. For the first time I feel hooked on my French classes, and no matter where I stop I know that I can already say many things. That is the most important part for me, in reality what keeps me going since I can count on getting a usable nugget every time I turn it on.
The tutor, Sonia, is a really fantastic teacher. She explains, I can rewind if I don't understand and hear it again, she is pleasant to look at, and seems really smart. Her classes evolve in a logical way, step by step, and then the exercises work. And the exercises are both beautiful and effective, something rare in this world. After you are into it the stuff gets in your head, and again, you can use it right away.
I haven't finished the whole program but I can say two things. I know more today than I've ever been able to retain. And, I'm pretty sure that I'll finish, which is amazing given how many times I've tried to start.
Fluenz French is GREAT! August 14, 2008
Deborah Okon, Ph.D. (Belen, NM)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I've always been afraid to learn a language, but with an impending trip to Paris, now is the time! I tried Rosetta Stone but it gave me a headache, and tried several other low-cost products but quickly became frustrated. Fluenz has me captivated! I am working through the lessons, practicing the sentences with my husband, and even feel comfortable saying the words! I can't say enough about Fluenz! If you wonder if this product is for you, try the free demonstration on their website. Finally, they have fabulous customer support! I had some problems with the Amazon shipping, and Fluenz stepped right in and took care of it. These things, along with their excellent return policy, make buying this product an excellent choice!
Solid, Step by Step French May 26, 2008
Daniel Bello Roosen (Venezuela)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
I'm going to France in a couple months and so I decided to look into learning a bit of the language. I ended up choosing Fluenz French. I've been using it for a while on my white Macbook running Leopard, but because the functionality is the same for Windows I decided to post this review here as well.
OVERVIEW
The program has 60 sessions, and each session begins with an introduction from the teacher, followed by a conversation between two native speakers. These conversations are what introduce the new material that will be learned in that session, and since Fluenz makes its programs for traveling adults, these conversations always involve some type of really practical situation that you're probably going to face in France. After the conversation, the teacher returns to explain all the new things that you just heard. And then comes your opportunity to practice. Fluenz French has a lot of different exercises that allow you to practice your reading, writing, listening and even speaking abilities (you record your own voice and compare it to native speakers). At the end, the teacher comes back to wrap up the session. Again, this structure is consistent throughout all 60 sessions.
METHODOLOGY
The program believes in using a lot of English throughout. The video teacher therefore translates all new words into English, and explains all the new concepts in English as well. These explanations are done by comparing English to French, which means everything is seen through a familiar perspective. Because French gets complicated rather quickly with many rules and exceptions and issues with verb agreements and such, seeing it all in English is helpful. As I said before, after the teacher explains all the new material for the session, you start practicing it by doing a series of exercises--13 in total for most sessions. These exercises allow you to write your own sentences, practice again by going from French to English and back again, transcribe sentences that you hear in French, record your own voice in order to compare your pronunciation to that of native speakers.
EXTRAS
The program comes with two audio CDs that cover the same material as in the computer program, and a little booklet to help you out in France with familiar phrases.
CONCLUSION
After working with the program I can say that I feel very comfortable with the basic concepts of the French language, that I feel like I can approach different kinds of conversations and handle them well, that I have a lot of confidence. The program is hard and requires a lot of work, but the video teacher is good at keeping you on track and giving you energy every time you needed.
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