Fluenz Spanish 1 (Latin America) with supplemental Audio CDs and Podcasts

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

• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• ASIN: B000WHBK00
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 27, 2007
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,729 in Software (See Top 100 in Software)

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 Spanish

On-screen tutor Sonia Gil, a recent Cornell graduate, and alumni from Harvard and the University of Chicago created Fluenz Spanish 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 Spanish, Actually Learn It

The team of passionate language learners behind Fluenz Spanish 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. Instead, Fluenz brings the magic of a great teacher to lead, challenge, and inspire adults and teens with real learning.

An effective approach for English Speakers

It's impossible to understand many of the important subtleties of Spanish speech without a clear explanation, such as how Spanish nouns must agree in gender and quantity (plural or singular) with articles and adjectives. Fluenz is the only interactive program offering tutor-led explanations in English that guide learners through the strategies necessary to reach fluency.

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

The Fluenz Spanish Audio CD is the ideal complement to the interactive program. This CD was recorded by Edgar Ramirez, one of Hollywood's emerging Latino actors. Edgar starred opposite Keira Knightley in Domino, played the fearsome "asset" in The Bourne Ultimatum, and has worked alongside William Hurt, Forest Whitaker, and Benicio del Toro.

Fluenz Podcasts: Download to Learn on the Go

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

70 of 72 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very effective way to learn basic Spanish, September 27, 2007

By 

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

This review is from: Fluenz Spanish 1 (Latin America) with supplemental Audio CDs and Podcasts (DVD-ROM)

I did a formal review of the Fluenz Mandarin program and have had the opportunity to use the Spanish software before its official release. Fluenz Spanish 1 is designed for beginners (teens and up) who want to develop a good foundation before pursuing more advanced Spanish study or who simply want to be able to communicate on a basic level in Spanish. Familiarity with the Spanish language is an increasingly important skill in the US and it's very useful that Fluenz has come out with such a comprehensive intro-level Spanish course.

Like previous offerings from Fluenz, the Spanish program uses an elegant modern aesthetic, relying on the latest flash technology for video sessions and "workouts." The Fluenz learning system is unique in its use of an on-screen tutor who guides users on video throughout the program and its practice of "leveraging" your knowledge of English to help you learn Spanish faster. The developers have kept the same types of challenging exercises used in the Mandarin version, but have enhanced the crispness of audio and video and made the interface more user-friendly by allowing easier navigation through the many program components. I encountered somewhat awkward navigation with the Mandarin program, but this has been fixed in the Spanish software.

The program is divided into 30 sessions, each of which opens with tutor Sonia Gil, one of the developers of the program, who explains all content for the lesson and relates personal stories about the trials and tribulations of learning Spanish. After Sonia's introduction, there is a conversation which can be followed with or without subtitles (in English and/or Spanish). Next, Sonia comes back for the heart of the lesson, where she thoroughly breaks down every word and expression from the conversation, relating English and Spanish usage straightforwardly and effectively.

After Sonia's "breakdown," the session finishes with a series of interactive workouts designed to review the material from the lesson and help the user absorb it. There are at least 10 types of workouts by my count, covering (in various combinations) vocabulary, listening comprehension, writing, reading, and speaking. These range from simple exercises asking you to write the word you hear spoken to more complex matching games and voice recording. Each workout has its own color scheme for easier navigation if you want to jump to a specific type of exercise. The recording device in the Spanish program is similar to the one used in the Mandarin software, allowing the learner to record and compare her or his Spanish with that of native speakers. This device first covers simple phrases, and then offers you the opportunity to insert yourself into a conversation. After the completion of the review workouts, Sonia comes back to summarize and conclude the session.

There are a number of Spanish learning programs on the market, but few if any can match Fluenz in quality and visual attractiveness. The personal touch of having an on-screen tutor really stands out and the software feels like it was tailor-made for Spanish rather than taken from a generic mold. Given the price, I would have liked to have seen a more advanced voice recognition device (this feature is unchanged from earlier Fluenz software), but overall the Fluenz program is a refreshing new inclusion in the world of Spanish learning software.

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Product, February 11, 2008

By 

L. Bubalo - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fluenz Spanish 1 (Latin America) with supplemental Audio CDs and Podcasts (DVD-ROM)

Usually a few lessons into any self-teaching language tool, I get bored and give up. Fluenz has done something unheard of, which is not only keeping me on pace, but to look forward to doing so. Every day, or every other day, I can't wait to spend an hour or so in finishing the next lesson and build my comprehension using a variety of learning techniques to hit the concepts home. I really appreciate the fact that there are small teaching segments throughout a lesson that firstly prepare you early in the lesson, and finally summarize what you are learning at the end.

I also love the fact that it's not simply trying to get you to the point where you can only interact in ONE particular situation, such as in a restaurant, or coffee shop. While practically tricking the user, it feels covert in the way they teach you how to conjugate (Scary word) verbs, and teach you gender recognition of nouns. I do have some very basic learning of academic Spanish and French that I had learned in the past, and I will say this blows those styles away.

I'm very happy Amazon picked up this product and will recommend it to all who are interested in learning from scratch. I'm so motivated to learn Spanish through Fluenz that I may even order the Manderin set in the near future.

35 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best software for learning Spanish, October 2, 2007

By 

S. Pitcock - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fluenz Spanish 1 (Latin America) with supplemental Audio CDs and Podcasts (DVD-ROM)

I checked out the demo for the Spanish 1 program on the Fluenz website. Very impressive! The program just came out but it looks extremely thorough and I really like the instruction from a video tutor. Also very well designed visually. I have done a good deal of research in the last couple weeks and Fluenz is by far the most complete Spanish learning program I have come across (and there are many!). It makes sense to buy from Amazon, as you get a discount from the Fluenz website price. I am very happy that I took the time to find Fluenz instead of just going with one of the bigger companies. Full recommendation!