Kimberly Fabian
GBUseful but tedious Fluenz French has been useful, however, I find the lessons to be tedious. It is the same format for every lesson. I understand why they designed it this way, but I appreciate a deviation every now and then. I purchased French 1-3 and to complete 90 lessons in the same format certainly does not make me look forward to the experience. In addition, some key conversational vocabulary is missing. For instance, I am almost finished with French 2, and I have yet to learn the vocab for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Yet I do know how to conjugate the verbs for I want, I must, I need and I would like. It seems like their prioritization is off. I am having to rely on other resources to teach me basic conversational phrases. I think the greatest enhancement to this program would be more focus on useful vocab and less on similar verbs and complex sentence structures that may never be used in a simple trip to France.
PaperTiger
GBYes, best internet program of learning Spanish! The program has lots of excises which are organized in a way so that we repeat specific words and phrases but in different ways. So, we don't find them boring and can really learn. Lessons progress in small steps which are well fit for self-learners like us. Yes, we need effort to practice as many days as possible even if a little at a time. But if we follow the advice and keep moving through the lessons, we can learn well. As to speaking, we can't simply depend on this program, but this is the best program I tried.
Ron
GBGreat German lessons! More than 40 years ago I studied German in college. I only wish Fluenz had been around then! Recently, I spent several weeks going through Fluenz German 1 before our recent trip to Germany to relearn the language. It was a very pleasant experience and I felt I really learned a lot in a short period of time. I wanted to be able to speak the language to some degree because we were doing a driving vacation and going to small towns where English might not be spoken...or at least not spoken well. It paid off! I was very conversational. Fluenz is a great product! I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to learn a new language.
Jane Striegel
GBfluenz I have tried Rosetta Stone and French in Action. I feel I am learning quicker with Fluenz. My only criticism is the DVD doesn't give one enough time to think of the reply in French before the answer is given and sometimes I can't understand what is being said.
Chris Harrison
GBShould I choose Fluenz? I've read the reviews (and thank everyone for the many contributions) but not many seem to factor in the intelligence of the user. Okay, what do I mean? Well, I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer - by a long chalk. I'm in my twilight years (recently described as a 'coffin dodger') and never achieved more that a few CSE's at school. So, how is Fluenz for me? The answer is great. BUT... It's how you use it. Okay, if you've been blessed with the intelligence of Stephen Hawking or Albert Einstein you'll probably witter on about the software or how the lessons are not as good as Rosetta Stone etc and maybe throw in how expensive it is (which I will mention later), but that doesn't help a thicko like me. So how am I getting on with it? Am I learning Italian? (The language I have chosen). Yes. It teaches you what you are likely to need and although you won't pass the Advanced Learning exams to become an English teacher in Milan you will learn enough to a) enjoy it! Because it's not the traditional tried and tested way that's boring, and boring means difficult because you quickly lose interest and b) You will be able to use it on your next trip abroad (or in the local Italian restaurant) - this itself will give you confidence & and you will come home buzzing and wanting to fire up the program as soon as you can. Fluenz teaches you what to say in the real world. My advice to get the best from it is simple. As we all have varying levels of intelligence simply partake in each lesson (in order) until it's sunk in. If you are clever then you'll work through them one after the other, if, like me, you're not then do them time and time again. Some I do 3 or 4 times. So what? I'm learning!! The worst thing you can do is move on to the next lesson without learning the first. It doesn't work. As to cost....yes, it's not the cheapest out there to be sure. But once you have it then it's forever as is the support. I purchased Fluenz in the days of the CD's (now I understand long gone and all on line) but have contacted Fluenz for support and got it. (It's because I couldn't get the CD's to work - that's when I found out I didn't need them lol). I appreciate this is a long review but if it helps just one person it will be worth it. I'm no Benny Lewis but I am grasping the Italian language. Whether you chose Fluenz or not I wish you good luck & if you really want to learn another language don't give up. You will want to at times I'm sure but keep at it. You'll get there!