Fluenz Italian 1 Mac, Including DVD, Audio CD, and Fluenz Navigator. Next-Generation Italian Language Learning Software

Other products by Fluenz

Product Features

• We custom made Fluenz Italian as language learners who knew there had to be a better way. With 30 sessions of up to two and one-half hours each, this is the most comprehensive software application covering the first level of Italian 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 Italian, 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 is the Fluenz Italian 1 DVD-ROM for your computer (Mac OS X 10.3 and above, running great on Tiger and Leopard), an audio CD for additional training, and the handy Fluenz Navigator for on-the-go referencing of important words and phrases.

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 5 x 5 x 5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Note: Gift-wrapping is not available for this item.
• ASIN: B001BSGL4O
• Date first available at Amazon.com: August 24, 2008
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #8,912 in Software (See Bestsellers in Software)

Product Description

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 Italian 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 Italian. 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 Italian all by yourself. 2) It's easier to learn Italian by starting out in English. Italian 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 Italian. 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 Italian grammar and syntax to that of English, rather than trying to understand Italian grammar with Italian logic. 3) It's best to learn the most relevant words in Italian 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.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If only high school languages were taught like this, November 6, 2008

By	Working Stiff (Seattle) - See all my reviews

I suppose you could pay more money to learn a language by hiring a private tutor. And I imagine you could take a lot more time by enrolling in a college course. But if the idea of using a software-based system sounds appealing, you won't do better than Fluenz. I say this with some authority, having spent hundreds of dollars on Rosetta Stone, Berlitz, and other language-learning software -- not one of which deserves to be mentioned in the same breath with Fluenz.

What's so great about it? For starters, everything they teach you is relevant to what a traveler in Italy will need to know in order to meet new people, ask directions, see the sites, order food, find the right train, conduct business, etc. I mention this in contrast to Rosetta Stone, a similarly priced software program that seems insistent that you learn the silliest phrases -- things that absolutely will never come up in conversation. Sure, I imagine you could make the case that Rosetta Stone (eventually) teaches you to substitute relevant words for the ones they supply. But in the meantime, you're stuck learning about running horses, red blouses, and jumping dogs. Fluenz does an infinitely better job of thinking through the kinds of things a visitor to Italy will actually need to know.

Next, the Fluenz system is so much more interesting to use, with an on-screen hostess to give you direction on pronunciation and usage. Rosetta Stone consists of endless clicking on objects to match them to a word or phrase being spoken. This is compelling for about...oh, three minutes, and then it becomes tedious. By contrast, Fluenz frequently moves you around from listening to words and phrases, to repeating them, to matching them, to writing them, to putting them in context. And you don't stay with any one type of learning tool long enough to get bored with it.

Finally, there's the uniqueness of the program. While Rosetta Stone teaches Italian to every user in the exact same way -- whether that user happens to be In Bombay, Brussels, or Belorussia --Fluenz assumes you speak English, and uses what you already know about English to make learning Italian easier. This facet of the program, by the way, must be experienced to be appreciated.

If you've tried Rosetta Stone and been a bit underwhelmed, you must try out Fluenz. At the very least, go to their web site (at Fluenz.com) and take a look at the demo. You'll see what I mean about it being a vastly different and more useful learning tool than anything you've likely come across previously.

Arrivederci.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great learning tool, March 2, 2009

By	B. Kaplan (New York, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I studied in Italy for 5 months about 10 years ago. Having been proficient in Spanish I was able to pick up Italian pretty well during the 1x a week classes. But once I came back home to the US, I didn't have anyone speak with in Italian and keep up what I had learned. So over time I lost my ability to speak any meaningful Italian. I was always frustrated about that fact and wanted to re-learn the language but never knew the right way to go about it. I didn't want to go to class after work and I became lazy about it even though I kept saying I was going to start it up sometime. Finally, a few months ago, my friend from Italy mentioned to me a new program called Fluenz. He had seen it for other languages and promised me that I would like it better than Rosetta Stone or anything else. I decided to give it a try and he was 100% right.

Fluenz teaches the language in a very practical manner that helps you get through day to day situations. The review above did a very good job of laying out the program. Each lesson takes me approximately 30 minutes. I'm halfway through Italian 1 and I already feel pretty good about going into a store, train station, a restaurant, taking a cab, meeting people, etc. And each lesson re-enforces previous lessons which is a very important facet--so you don't forget things you've learned and have to constantly find those earlier lessons to review. It's as interactive as I could ask for and breaks down the language in ways to help you remember.

I truly recommend Fluenz for anyone looking to learn a new language or just improve on one they already know. I can't wait to finish Italian 1 and move on to Italian 2.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great program ...., May 11, 2009

By	C. Zittel (Steamboat Springs, CO United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a great program. At first it didn't seem to work on my Mac. Then I finally figured out that I needed to update my software with Apple Software update to have it work properly. If you get a black screen and nothing else when you start up the program on your Mac, go to your system preferences, software update and update all your software .... and you will have a program that works beautifully and seems to be a great way to learn Italian. I am only on lesson two, but I can now say .... Grazie, Fluenz for all your help. Grazie. Va tutto bene.