Fluenz Italian 1 + 2 Learning Suite - Macintosh

by Fluenz

Product Features

• We custom made Fluenz Italian as language learners who knew there had to be a better way. With 60 sessions of up to two and one-half hours each, this is the most comprehensive software application covering the first and second levels 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 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 are the Fluenz Italian 1 and 2 DVD-ROMs, two audio CDs for additional learning, 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
• ASIN: B001GC0S1C
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 10, 2008
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #12,019 in Software (See Top 100 in Software)
  • #39 in Software > Education & Reference > Foreign Languages > Italian

Product Description

The only interactive language program offering an immersive environment that recreates the best elements of great one-on-one tutoring.

Be Fluent in Italian

The Harvard, Cornell, and University of Chicago graduates who developed Fluenz were determined to create a program that conveyed the unique beauty of Italian while providing a step-by-step path through the language. By bringing the magic of a great teacher to the computer screen, Fluenz Italian makes reaching fluency in this storied language possible for every single learner.

Love Italian, Actually Learn It

As strong believers in the magic of Italian, the program designers moved beyond the cookie-cutter approach typical of computer language education: methods that boast a suspiciously simple way to learn and treat adults like children by emphasizing the association of words and pictures. Instead of the "fast-food" approach to Italian, Fluenz is all about taking learners step by step through the most beautiful language in the world.

Fluenz Italian brings the power of an amazing teacher to lead, challenge, and inspire adults and teens with a real love for the language. The application is ideal for those who need everyday conversation skills, as well as for those who want to establish a strong foundation for advanced learning.

An effective approach for English Speakers

It is impossible to understand how Italian nouns must agree in gender and quantity (plural or singular) not only with articles, but also with adjectives and adverbs, without a clear explanation. Fluenz is the only interactive program offering tutor-led explanations in English that guide learners through the strategies necessary to reach fluency. This realistic, no-nonsense approach produces real results.

The Magic of Learning: Audio CDs for Your Car or iPod

The Fluenz Italian Audio CDs are the

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Strongly recommended!, September 25, 2008

By 

M. Zuloaga (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fluenz Italian 1 + 2 Learning Suite - Macintosh (DVD-ROM)

I did the Fluenz Mandarin course last year, was impressed with the program, and then spent two succesful weeks in Harbin for work (btw, Harbin prides itself with speaking the best Mandarin in China). Because Italian has been my life-long unfulfilled passion, I didn't hesitate to buy Italian 1 when I first saw it. Seeing that Italian 2 just came out, I decided to put in an order, but also to write this review as there are no others yet. This small company is doing an admirable job and everyone should know about it.

These have been my impressions of Fluenz Italian so far:
1. The teacher in the box concept, and the charismatic Sonia, continue to be the hallmark of Fluenz. She is there at every step anticipating the typical questions an English speaker is bound to have when faced with the many rules and issues in Italian. I've been listening to the language for decades during my many visits there, and I actually know many words, but from words to phrases there is a path--and she shows the way in a gentle, reassuring way.
2. The approach is slow and deliberate, and Italian has enough complexity in the way sentences are formed that this pays off. Every single word taught is immediately useful in the building of bigger sentences so that nothing is wasted.
3. In between the tutorial and a final video, there are many workouts that seem simple at first, but reveal themselves as quite ingenious as you go through the process. All the workouts in a given session cover the material offered in that session, as well as everything learned up to then, and as you practice writing, reading, listening and recording your own voice, the connections really come alive. Just as if you were building a jigsaw puzzle, things get easier as the pieces fall into place
4. The actual presentation is very appealing and helps your learning. The video has excellent quality, and the photographic tour of Italy makes the process inpiring.
5. The last point would be the evident passion for, and knowledge of Italy displayed throughout the video tutorials, and in the choice of material learned. Every video explanation comes with cultural and personal context showing much love and dedication for the subject matter. Having completed the Mandarin course, it is evident that the choice of vocab is very specific both to Italian culture, and the realities of English speaking learning Italian.
All in all a welcome addition, and one I believe clearly stands out so I put in my strong recommendation.

3 of 3 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
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This review is from: Fluenz Italian 1 + 2 Learning Suite - Macintosh (DVD-ROM)

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.

5.0 out of 5 stars Questo è molto buono, September 28, 2009

By 

J. Buck - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fluenz Italian 1 + 2 Learning Suite - Macintosh (DVD-ROM)

I'm only in the middle of level 1 right now, but am really enjoying this course. The vocabulary and sentence structures are explained in great detail so I'm having no trouble understanding everything. I also went through Fluenz's French course and loved it. You can find my review of Fluenz French on this site as well.