Fluenz Version F2: Spanish 1+2 (Win/Mac) with software DVDs, audio CDs, podcasts, and Navigator. Learn Spanish with the latest upgrade.
by Fluenz
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Software Reviews of Fluenz Version F2: Spanish 1+2 (Win/Mac) with software DVDs, audio CDs, podcasts, and Navigator. Learn Spanish with the latest upgrade.
Customer Review: Minor complaints aside - this program really delivers!
Summary: 4 Stars
UPDATE 11/11/09 TO ORIGINAL REVIEW BELOW:
Fluenz just provided this f2 update to those of us that purchased the original. I've since gone through the first two disks. Most of my original issues with editing inconsistencies and poor dubbing have been fixed (though, there's still one typo in the first disc that won't accept the correct answer), and now they show you what's in each session and where you left off. Other than those items, everything else in my original review still applies.
ORIGINAL REVIEW:
I investigated a lot of "Learn Spanish" programs before purchasing this one. I took all of the free demo and sample classes available from each of those I investigated before making my final decision to purchase Fluenz.
The two I ultimately decided I liked best were this one, and Rocket Spanish. For those doing their own comparisons, here's why I chose Fluenz and the upsides, downsides and tips I've found in using it, as well as whether I think it's worth the money:
ROCKET SPANISH VS. FLUENZ:
Rocket Spanish is much cheaper and operates very similiarly. You can take a free weeks worth of courses to see how you like it. Like Fluenz, there's a bite size conversation in each class that an instructor walks you through (though it's all done verbally, no graphics). Rocket conversation classes are interspersed with grammar classes. They can be downloaded to your ipod, and they have a pretty good internet support system.
However, what is lacking with Rocket is the "game like" interactive exercises that reinforce your learning and help you form the building blocks you really need to speak it well, that Fluenz provides so abundantly. Ultimately, I ended up choosing Fluenz because I wanted to be sure (after having previously bought some very dull french programs I couldn't force myself to stick with)that it would engage me enough to want to keep at it each day, and give me conversational skills I could use immediately. Fluenz delivers upon this well!
FLUENZ UPSIDES:
- As easy and engaging as playing a computer game: Works fine on my memory-challenged vista computer. (Sonya, the instructor, does some weird speaking where her mouth doesn't line up with what she's saying during introductions - but fortunately that doesn't happen when she's actually teaching the classes).
- Built for adults with a focus on getting you to be able to do the fundamentals well! Challenging short exercises that move quickly from one to another.
- Lots of repetition and review of previous material built into engaging interactive exercises that make you constantly improve your pronunciation, writing and memorization of the material.
- Pretty much everything you need for a trip to Cabo or Tijuana, you'll learn in Spanish 1: Spanish 1 is perfect for someone who has never had any spanish. It covers greetings, estar/ser verbs, geneder agreement, basic conversational needs for restaurants, airports, shopping, taxis and getting around. It also covers telling time and numbers from 1-999,999.
- By the end of Spanish 2, you'll be able to hold a pretty good conversation if you practice with real folks enough: Spanish 2 takes you into simple past tense, more complicated phrases, and for some reason, they hold off teaching you the more familiar form of "you" until here.
- Helpful accompanying CD's: CD's that can be loaded on your MP3 Player supplement the classes and are a great way to practice pronunciation. They also often provide a more structured approach to verbs and other issues.
- "The record it, then listen to how it should be pronounced" exercises have been helpful. It's given me more confidence to speak to people. I bought a $9 mic when I bought this - and it works just fine for the purpose.
FLUENZ DOWNSIDES:
- Could use a better supplement book:
Arrives in a huge box with expensive packaging and glossy fluenz brochures that don't really say anything. Would have been better applied to developing a guide with an index of what each class covers, some of the basic verb conjugations and a summary of the better key points or tips offered in the classes (e.g. when to use ser vs. estar, a+el=al, adjectives follow nouns...)
- Could use some careful editing!
There's a fair amount of mistakes in the exercises. Occasionally, english translation phrases are missing words they're supposed to have, phrases you hear don't match the written form, and minor inconsistencies abound. For example, an exercise sometimes requires "veinte y dos" and other times "ventidos" before accepting your answer as correct. Other times, it won't accept an answer because you added a space at the end of the sentence. It can get a bit frustrating. (There tend to me more of these in classes at the end of discs. Maybe they thought noone would make it that far!)
TIPS:
- use the F3 button during exercises if you want to hear a phrase, but click the PLAY button if you want to rehear it without erasing what you already have typed.
- On exercises where you match written spanish to written english translations, just look at the english versions and try to translate it before looking at the spanish ones. I found I learned a lot more that way - because the matching was so easy.
- Until Fluenz gets around to including an index or posting one on their website, jot a note as you go through each class on the general things it covered. This will really help if you want to go back and refresh your memory on something without having to wade through multiple classes.
BOTTOM LINE: All that said, and even with the few downsides or enhancements I'd like to see, I highly recommend this program for any adult with little to no spanish ability who wants to be able to hold their own in a conversation relatively quickly, and have the building blocks to grow their Spanish capabilities. Living in Texas, I've had ample opportunity to practice what I've learned and have really been delighted I've been able to both understand and to be understood.
Customer Review: software malfunction
Summary: 3 Stars
Would love this product but consistantly had problems getting it to load and play. Returned it and reordered only to have the same problem. Was not my computer's fault as I have no problems playing similiar media. It was very frustrating and disappointing to sit down for a lesson that I could not get. The company ordered a refund and told me to keep the software...of course it's useless to me since it does not work. Spent two weeks ordering and returning product to find out they need to enable a user to download to hard drive or fix these disk problems.Customer Review: First class program and company
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased Fluenz Spanish this past summer and have been very pleased with it ever since. It teaches the language using different learning strategies all wrapped in a very sophisticated, attractive, and user-friendly computer program. Even though I haven't finished the program yet, I am already light-years beyond my previous "high school Spanish" level.
In addition, I'm happy to recommend this product because of the fantastic customer service provided by the company. One of my companion CDs was recently stolen (along with my car stereo) and the company was extremely generous to quickly send a replacement. Clearly this is a first class company that values its customers. Please feel confident purchasing this product...you won't regret it.
Customer Review: Worthy software!! Buy it!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I wanted to learn more of Spanish and this program (Fluenz Spanish 1 and 2) turned out to be a very fun way to do it. "Interacting" with Sonia (the instructor) and the others in the program made it fun to come back and take more lessons. In addition to the traveling aspect which is a lot of this program, I would have liked to have seen more about everyday situations, such as more on communicating with a Spanish speaker, in a store setting, for example -- as there are many people who speak Spanish but not so much English. I would also like to have seen an alphabet pronounciation table where you could see and hear (in one place) how each letter is pronouned. Please note: The instructor IS very through in telling you how things are pronouned, I just would have liked a table so you could review it all in one place). In addition, I would have added more basic words, foods, clothing, more greetings...you know the things you get from all those other language programs. There is a dictionary in this program telling you the most important words you'll need to do what you do and say what is important to say when speaking Spanish. A more comprehensive dictionary would have been nice, plus a table of contents of some kind, telling you what each session covers.
I have tried Rosetta Stone, and it is good for these other things, but the problem with Rosetta Stone is that it does not translate for you.
That's the great thing about Fluenz. They not only tell you what is being said, but why the word or sentence is structured the way it is. That's something you don't get from most programs, or if you do you have to read it, instead of the ease of listening to it.
Also, Fluenz does not "talk down to you" like many other programs do. They give you intelligent dialogue and treat you like an intelligent person.
In conclusion, if you are looking for a Spanish learning program, I would buy Fluenz FIRST, then buy the other ones to learn more basic Spanish -- but I definately recommend this program.
Customer Review: Great Product, would like to see more material
Summary: 5 Stars
It was enjoyable to use, it taught me a very solid foundation, and I probably retained nearly 100% of what it taught. Also, whenever I had a problem or questions the customer support was exremely quick and helpful in their replies. Concepts were clearly explained so that you can expand on your own. I also liked how the teacher gave occasional cultural information and tips on how you can improve your Spanish (specific movies, music, etc.) I just wish it had more material. You are not going to be "fluent" after completing just this program because, while I felt like the method was very effective, the overall speed at which new structures and words were introduced was fairly slow. Because of that I would give it about 4.5 out of 5, but overall I was very impressed.