A Review of the Fluenz French Program

Why Fluenz May Offer the Best Electronic French Education Around

Jun 26, 2009

Fluenz French is a powerful and effective French program whose multi-point workouts, special features and learning philosophy help build real language skills.

With a list price of $357 (though Amazon.com offers it for $323), Fluenz French is not for the frugal-minded. But those resolved to learn the language at any cost will find this French program to be an excellent alternative to Rosetta Stone and other language offerings.

Fluenz’s Philosophy on French Education

French teacher Sonia Gil, who serves as a tutor throughout the language series, explains that Fluenz serves “to leverage the English you already know” to teach the elements of French. This approach contrasts with the teaching style of Rosetta Stone, whose programs teach students as if the foreign language were there first. Both philosophies have their place, but given the similarities French has with English, it works well to teach and explain the language in English – rather than match pictures to words with little explanation, as Rosetta Stone does.

Fluenz also states on its website that “We only teach relevant stuff,” and that claim proves correct. During the initial 20 lessons, users of this French program will understand the basics of ordering a meal, ordering quelque chose (something) in a store or stating a location – important skills for travelers in Francophone countries. While Fluenz may go a little too far with this approach (the number "two" is not taught for some time), the language software usually teaches the right things at the right times.

The Fluenz Teaching Style: Workouts That Work

Each Fluenz language DVD (there are two in Fluenz 1+2) contains 30 sessions, each of which lasts anywhere from 40 to 150 minutes. The sessions start with a brief introduction, then move into a conversation of around five to ten lines. Users can watch these with or without French or English subtitles, allowing one to test his or her knowledge of the language.

Next comes Gil’s analysis of every word in the conversation, a process which usually lasts around five to seven minutes. These are slow-paced and repetitive, but this is a good thing – as it allows the user to become familiar with any new words or phrases Gil teaches.

Next is a series of practice sessions designed to reinforce what Gil explained. They include, in order of appearance:

The list may seem exhaustive, but the language program does teach one to speak, write, listen and read with ease. Some of the workouts are more useful than others; the word and picture matching, for example, does not provide enough of a challenge to be useful. But the French software manages to keep the education sessions entertaining enough that real learning takes place. The pronunciation practice is especially useful, as native English speakers may find it difficult to grasp the nuances and rules of spoken French.

Extra Features in the Fluenz French Program

One receives a number of additional learning tools in the little red package that Fluenz comes in. Given Fluenz’s emphasis on the practical side of the French language, it seems appropriate to include an expandable list of common French phrases for travelers to use. The French software also comes with two audio CDs; while these are not mandatory for progressing in the Fluenz program, they should help anyone who needs additional practice with the language.

Within the French program are a number of features that make learning French a little easier – and a little more fun. These include the help menu, a word list that one can summon up and some relaxing background music.

Beautiful Software for a Beautiful Language

“Our priority,” Gil says in the program, “is that you get comfortable with the language.” Learning French is rarely easy, but the Fluenz company succeeds in creating French software that teaches in an engaging, professional manner. And after 60 sessions, those who complete the Fluenz course will likely find themselves ready to take on the Francophone world.

The copyright of the article A Review of the Fluenz French Program in Learning French is owned by Kenneth Burchfiel. Permission to republish A Review of the Fluenz French Program in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.