Great, real world language learning tool I had thought about purchasing other language "learn at your own pace" software for Italian for a few years. I finally decided to go ahead and buy one and stumbled upon Fluenz. I had never heard of it prior to this and was about to buy Rosetta Stone since I had their free demo. Fluenz, had a different approach, however, which was to teach conversational Italian - words, phrases, etc. which would be used in the real world. All the lessons are presented in an interesting way with explanations of why words and phrases are used. I decided I'd buy it and I'm extremely pleased with the teaching approach. It teaches you the language in a way you can use almost immediately with phrases which you will use on a trip to Italy - what you learn is everyday speaking. Definitely would recommend!

Fluenz - The Very, Very Best in Foreign Language Programs If you can't afford private foreign language training and want to learn a foreign language at your own pace, then Fluenz is the program for you. I have both the Spanish and German programs and really like how there is a tutor in each session to explain things. There are plenty of written exercises to do to test your comprehension and if you type an incorrect answer, you can easily find out what you did wrong, correct it, and move on. You can also record your voice so that you know what to improve as far as your pronunciation. Fluenz is far superior to Rosetta Stone. The software is also easy to download onto your computer, Ipad, or Iphone. Technical support is very good, too.

Great learning tool! I really like Fluenz over all the other systems I have tried including Rosetta Stone. The only thing that stops me from giving it 5 stars is because the iPad app and the computer program do not sync with each other so you have to keep track yourself where you left off. Pod casts are excellent as well.

Should 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!

Useful 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.