Fluenz Mandarin 1 + 2 Learning Suite - Macintosh

by Fluenz

Product Features

• Build your vocabulary and language abilities
• Spell and write accurately
• Speak without a script
• Retain what you've learned
• Read and understand your new language

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 5 x 5 x 5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• ASIN: B000PUNZNY
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 26, 2007
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,709 in Software (See Top 100 in Software)
  • #87 in Software > Education & Reference > Foreign Languages > Asian

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 Mandarin

On-screen tutor Sonia Gil, a recent Cornell graduate, and alumni from Harvard and the University of Chicago created Fluenz Mandarin to be the kind of application they had always wanted when learning languages. The result of their work is ideal for those who seek common sense explanations, sophisticated workouts that lead to real learning, and who thrive on a great teacher to keep them focused and engaged.

Love Mandarin, Actually Learn It

The team of passionate language learners behind Fluenz wanted to move beyond what they felt was wrong with computer language education: simplistic methods that boast a natural, passive way to learn a language and treat adults like children.

Fluenz Mandarin 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

Chinese is easier to learn than most people imagine, but it must be clearly explained. For example, one of the biggest challenges for Westerners is the fact that each syllable must be pronounced with one of five different tones. Two words can have the same letters but mean totally different things depending on which tones are used. While these tones are very difficult to learn by simply listening and hoping to imitate them, a common sense explanation can go a long way to mastery.

Audio CD for Your Car or iPod

The Fluenz Mandarin Audio CD is the ideal complement to the interactive program. The CD was produced at the Fluenz Lab to provide enga

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Learn Mandarin!, April 30, 2007

By 

Dr. C. A. Holland (Columbia, MO, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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

Fluenz Mandarin is a comprehensive program for anyone wanting to learn Mandarin Chinese from scratch. It is meant for learners over the age of 13, and it would be quite useful both for those trying to establish a strong foundation before proceeding to more advanced or specialized work, as well as for those who need survival skills for business, travel or casual conversation.

The software follows a Mac aesthetic: clean, elegant, and modern. This philosophy goes well beneath the surface and can be felt throughout the program. The learning system -- which features a tutor on full-motion video guiding the learner every step of the way, a series of relentlessly challenging exercises, and the use of English to "leverage" the learning of Chinese -- are all very innovative. Fluenz Mandarin is composed of 45 sessions that cover essential vocabulary, grammar, and syntax by going over realistic interactions involving restaurants, giving and receiving directions, negotiating cabs and other forms of transportation, shopping, basic conversations, and even the 2008 Olympics. Each session can take up to three hours each, depending on the learner's speed.

Each session opens with the tutor, Sonia Gil, who led the development of the program and who guides the learner from beginning to end. She explains, gives context, motivates, and keeps the whole thing going with stories of her own experience with learning Mandarin in China.

After the introduction, there is a conversation that can be followed with or without subtitles (available in English and pinyin). Sonia follows with an explanation of every word and expression used. This is the heart of the method, since she systematically compares every word and expression in Mandarin with its counterpart in English. It seems straightforward and it is, but it makes a big a difference to anyone learning.

The tutorial is followed by a series of interactive "workouts." These start with a simple review of the vocabulary and basic expressions, move on to clever matching games, and then to actual writing. Learning to write is the only way to internalize different tones because writing provides a visual cue that helps the learner retain this most challenging part of learning Mandarin. The writing workouts combine both reading and writing, and then listening and writing, and they progress from simple words to more complicated expressions. The latter relies on an innovative color-coding scheme.

The workouts also make use of a recording device that allows the learner to record and compare her or his Chinese with that of native speakers. This device first deals with simple phrases, and then offers the learner an opportunity to insert her or himself into a conversation. After a couple of review workouts, Sonia comes back to conclude the session.

Like any software program that surpasses its many competitors in quality, effectiveness, and ease of use, Fluenz is its own worst enemy. After spending some hours learning Mandarin very fast, it's altogether natural for learners to want more and better, yet Fluenz thwarts that desire on a number of counts. For instance, the navigation doesn't allow learners to repeat a workout once completed. Moreover, there are instances in which sound would nicely complement written workouts, but isn't available. And more advanced sound recognition technology would make a difference. These are features that users should rightly expect to find in future upgrades of the software.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Product!, May 22, 2007

By 

Jonathan Gheller "jg" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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

I work in media and technology, and speak several languages. I know what it is like to code and to create media content, and how difficult it is to learn a language. I look at Fluenz Mandarin from that point of view. The video tutorials are very good. Sonia has everything a great teacher needs: knowledge, charisma and the ability to communicate complex ideas in very simple ways. The workouts are not only a great way to practice what you learn, but it's obvious they've been designed to continuously challenge the learner. The program's overall design is pleasing, which means you can workout for hours without hating it. As someone who has learned several languages, I can only be thankful for the amount of creativity and hard work that went into it.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent product, August 11, 2007

By 

Esbern Johnsen (Copenhagen, Denmark) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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

I was most pleased with both service (speedy delivery) and product (reliable playback and truely effective concept). It really made me feel I could do this, from the very start.

The product teaches conversation Mandarin and Pin Yin at the same time, all on your pootah (all you need is a microphone). Features a guide/teacher who has a calm and supportive attitude, and is very pleasant to look at aswell, ten points for casting :D

I am a few weeks into this course now, and I am actually able to speak, understand and write quite a few things already. I certainly have no better linguistic skills or memory for vocabulary than the next guy/gal, but this system really works, keeping it simple and relevant throughout.

Highly recommended!