SmartFrench CD-rom: Learn French From Real French People (Windows 7/Vista/XP, Mac OSX)

by SmartFrench

Product Features

• Step by step repetition of interesting spontaneous conversations
• Rules of the French spoken language are explained in a simple way.
• CD-Rom with booklet to learn real French
• It uses conversations with French natives which are written down exactly as spoken
• It uses colors to show what is and what is not pronoun

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0000U3LI8
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 20, 2003
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (54 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,875 in Software (See Top 100 in Software)
  • #16 in Software > Education & Reference > Foreign Languages > French
  • #95 in Software > Education & Reference > Foreign Languages > Universal Translator

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

"This CD Rom is a "Must" for learning how the French REALLY talk!" - William Martin, retired political editor, The Oakland Tribune

"I've tried them all and this one is it!" - Joe Hogan, CBS

"When I heard my first lesson I honestly felt betrayed by my other programs --why didn't they simply tell the truth about French pronunciation like SmartFrench does?" - Patricia J. Gust, Attorney, Los Angeles, CA

"I have three other French language courses, and I've learned more from this one than I have the others put together." - Cynthia Stull, Washington, DC, writes contracts for the National Cancer Institute, for the AIDS programs around the world.

Learning a foreign language is typically a very frustrating experience. After spending countless hours in a classroom environment, most find that they are still unable to comprehend world French as it is naturally spoken between native French people.

SmartFrench does what conventional language courses will not do. The program is designed to teach you pragmatic rules to learn "spoken" French, not "textbook" French. Just by following the simple, easy and enjoyable program, you will build your speaking confidence, right from the very beginning.

Used in Embassies all over the world and by travelers and businessmen, SmartFrench helps develop the ability to listen effectively and to fully understand the French language based on real live conversations as opposed to scripted dialogue.

SmartFrench is not delving into grammar like other methods are. The grammar taught in SmartFrench is the grammar commonly used. What other methods will not or cannot teach you is how to understand and speak French like a native. With a little patience, you will soon feel more and more confident about your ability to "talk" French just by learning how to recognize the "rhythm" of the language and its predictable patterns. Even an advanced student who experiences difficulty will become fluent in no time using SmartFrench.

Product Description

Only with SmartFrench will you develop real two-way conversation skills

"I have spent hundreds on books, audios and video in trying to learn French. All have helped. But this one is a MUST." William Martin, Former Political Editor, The Oakland Tribune

"Our son is using the product (as complement for GCSE prep.) and making leaps of progress already after years of frustration and struggling. Probably the best seller we have ever dealt with. Recommend unreservedly. 20 February 2010" D. CRASS 'J Linn' Gt Britain

ATTENTION: The novice in French should start with our SmartFrench - Introduction to French, Vol.1 and Vol.2 first, to study the basic grammar, conjugation and vocabulary needed in order to get a perfect foundation.

Learning French requires that you learn to speak and understand. If you enter a conversation in French without any training to listen to it, you will not be able to get what is coming back to you. Then your French studies will be worth nothing. On the other hand, even if you feel hesitant to speak French, you can have a conversation saying just "yes" or "no", as long as you understand the other person. Only with SmartFrench will you develop real two-way conversation skills.

Vol.1 and Vol.2 will teach you to speak. This CD-ROM will teach you to understand and be understood.

"When I heard my first lesson I honestly felt betrayed by my other programs--why didn't they simply tell the truth about French pronunciation like SmartFrench does?" Patricia Jones, attorney

The difference between the CD-ROM and the audio CDs - also available on amazon, is that the CD-ROM is for the computer. The good thing is it contains all three levels, plus the videos of the interviews on which the lessons are based (to see people when they speak always helps and it is fun).

"I saw online that many native French teachers recommend this product." Erika Huang

Try the demo on our site.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

67 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE FRENCH WHISPERER!, January 10, 2006

By 

Patricia J (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: SmartFrench CD-rom: Learn French From Real French People (Windows 7/Vista/XP, Mac OSX) (CD-ROM)

If you want to be like the majority of Americans who have taken a foreign language in high school or college and can hardly decipher a word of conversational French then Smart French is not for you. On the other hand, if you feel that the value of learning a foreign language is to understand NATIVE speakers and hear the language as it is actually spoken then Smart French is a MUST buy. This program will completely demystify the art to French spoken language--and it is an art. When I heard my first lesson I honestly felt betrayed by my other programs--why didn't they simply tell the truth about French pronunciation like Smart French does? That is why if you have had years of instruction or not even one French lesson this program will benefit you.

You get a booklet with the written dialogues, the alphabet, and helpful pronunciation tips. You also get a a CD software program which effortlessly takes you through a rich library of interesting conversations. You can watch the video and audio together or listen to the audio alone. The secret to Smart French is that it breaks it down for you--lesson by lesson. One of the most important things in learning a language is to utilize your listening skills--something that had always terrified me until Smart French. Go through each dialogue step by step and you will lose your fear and finally gain the confidence to trust your ears. Then pick up your old language books, tapes, and French movies and you will be amazed when you finally understand the speech patterns. I highly recommend this program--ENJOY!

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The right approach learning French, May 4, 2006

By 

Xavier J. Nathan "xnathan" (los angeles, ca, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: SmartFrench CD-rom: Learn French From Real French People (Windows 7/Vista/XP, Mac OSX) (CD-ROM)

I am a French native and I am very very very familiar with SmartFrench. I am a French teacher myself and this product is the best. You won't be bored with endless old fashion text and audio which will put you to sleep. This interactive product will keep you interested and fresh.

1.One of the reviewers wrote:" The program is mainly just based on conversations between French speakers." What's wrong with this? That is exactly how you learn, period!

2."The bundle lacks actual vocabulary practice and conjugation rules. " Enough with the conjugaison!!!

As a NEW student you will get the vibe as you discover the meaning of what you hear and read, as an INTERMEDIATE student you will understand better about the tenses and the more specific vocabulary....and for the ADVANCED student you finally get into the rythm of delivery.

I think it is a great product, not expensive, easy to use...Perfect!!! Nothing better on the market.

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not Your Father's Language Lab, May 21, 2006

By 

D. Tucker (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: SmartFrench CD-rom: Learn French From Real French People (Windows 7/Vista/XP, Mac OSX) (CD-ROM)

If you are serious about understanding spoken French, and learning to speak it yourself, then you owe it to yourself to pick up Smart French. Each lesson is broken down into logical steps that enable you to progress rapidly. It still takes discipline and motivation, and a good book on grammar is highly recommended, but of all the ways I have attempted to learn and to teach myself french, this is far and away the best.

Perhaps the key insight of this learning system is to get the listener (and viewer) quickly to the point where one is learning to understand and to repeat French the way that it is spoken by French speakers. We have all had the experience of feeling that people speaking in other language speak too quickly for us to pick up more than a word or two. With Smart French you will learn not only to follow along, but to speak at the same pace, and before you know it you will be speaking quickly too.

This is not the system to get if you desire only to learn canned phrases and to attempt to reach a facile understanding of phrasebook French, but if you want to attempt to get a handle on French as an organic language, a tool with which to communicate, a tool with a fantastic linguistic history and tradition, and an ever-evolving tool at that, then I recommend giving Smart French a try.